Light switch sparking only when off

[Leigh2909]

Hi I’m looking for some advice on a sparking light switch. This is only happening when the light switch is off. When it’s on there is no problem and the lights work fine

I have changed the light switch but this hasn’t helped

 

[fairlight]

As the light is switched off or all the time when it is off? What sort of lamp is being switched?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

What exactly is sparking? Does the light flicker when it is supposed to be off? Does anything trip? What kind of switch is fitted? Are there any other connections such as a neutral loop-through in the back box?

For the switch itself to arc when off, current must either be flowing through it, in which case the light will probably flicker on, or to earth or some other exposed metal, in which case an MCB or RCD in the consumer unit is likely to trip. In any case replacing the switch should have removed the fault.

Pics needed I think...

 

[buzzlightyear]

welcome has above .

 

[Leigh2909]

What exactly is sparking? Does the light flicker when it is supposed to be off? Does anything trip? What kind of switch is fitted? Are there any other connections such as a neutral loop-through in the back box?

For the switch itself to arc when off, current must either be flowing through it, in which case the light will probably flicker on, or to earth or some other exposed metal, in which case an MCB or RCD in the consumer unit is likely to trip. In any case replacing the switch should have removed the fault.

Pics needed I think...

yes it flickers when it’s supposed to be off
Nothing trips and it all works fine when the switch is on
I think the spark is coming from the socket but I can also hear a buzzing noise in the cupboard behind which contains the fuse box

 

[buzzlightyear]

is the main light flickering not the switch .

 

[snowhead]

Another way to describe it might be that it's flickering all the time, caused by the Live and Switch wire shorting elsewhere, maybe in the cupboard maybe the cable in the wall.
BUT when the light switch is on and the light is on, it's masking the issue.

 

[Leigh2909]

Another way to describe it might be that it's flickering all the time, caused by the Live and Switch wire shorting elsewhere, maybe in the cupboard maybe the cable in the wall.
BUT when the light switch is on and the light is on, it's masking the issue.

Does it have to be this switch that’s causing the issue as I’ve never touched this one but a couple of others in the same room have recently been moved. These other switches don’t turn the lights on that are flickering

 

[buzzlightyear]

my advice to get a spark in has soon has possible to sort it out considering the switches have been altered .

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Can you be a bit more specific as to what is sparking and where you are seeing the spark? E.g. inside the switch visible around the rocker.

 

[Strima]

Who moved the switches?

How were they moved and were any connections hidden in the walls or ceiling?

Sounds like a poorly made off joint somewhere.

 

[Dustydazzler]

In the video it looks like the light is flashing in the background not the switch flashing ?

 

[buzzlightyear]

In the video it looks like the light is flashing in the background not the switch flashing

I said that in post #7 bobby dazzler ,lol.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I said that in post #7 bobby dazzler ,lol.

That is my dads nick name because everyone used to say he is a cross between Del Boy & David Dickinson

 

[Shoei]

Hi I’m looking for some advice on a sparking light switch. This is only happening when the light switch is off. When it’s on there is no problem and the lights work fine

I have changed the light switch but this hasn’t helped

Is the lamp an LED? The flashes could be due to capacitive coupling in the cable rather than a faulty switch. If it is an LED and you have an old filament lamp that will fit, you could try that to see if the flashing stops.

 

[buzzlightyear]

That is my dads nick name because everyone used to say he is a cross between Del Boy & David Dickinson

wow did not know you looked like them trigger .lol.

 

[freddo]

Is the lamp an LED? The flashes could be due to capacitive coupling in the cable rather than a faulty switch. If it is an LED and you have an old filament lamp that will fit, you could try that to see if the flashing stops.

The video seemed to have a lot of arcing noises in it, suggesting the live and switch live wires are intermittently shorting.

 

[Shoei]

The video seemed to have a lot of arcing noises in it, suggesting the live and switch live wires are intermittently shorting.

Fair enough, should have had sound on.

 

[Kidsolo]

It looks like the floash is in front of the faceplate. there are shadows behind the faceplate. looks like a camera flash.