Popping Noise in Light Switches

goblue0211 · #1 Mar 6, 2007, 06:46 AM

We starting hearing a popping noise when we flicked the switch in our bedroom. Then we started hearing it on the same wall but a switch in the hallway. We had an electrician come to change the switches.
He put in brand new switches however, we are still hearing the popping noise. Now it has traveled down the hallway to the bathroom light switch.
Once, we heard the popping noise when we just touched the light switch cover (didn't even flick the switch). The popping noise seems to be getting louder as well and more frequent in all of the switches. Periodically, we get a shock when we touch the switches as well.

What is causing this? Is it dangerous?
What should have an electrician look for or test for when they come?

Any suggestions that anyone has would be great.

tinsign · Mar 6, 2007, 06:51 AM

Sounds as if you might have a bare wire somewhere touching others, or it could be a broken one as well

nmwirez · Mar 6, 2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goblue0211

We starting hearing a popping noise when we flicked the switch in our bedroom. Then we started hearing it on the same wall but a switch in the hallway. We had an electrician come to change the switches.
He put in brand new switches however, we are still hearing the popping noise. Now it has traveled down the hallway to the bathroom light switch.
Once, we heard the popping noise when we just touched the light switch cover (didn't even flick the switch). The popping noise seems to be getting louder as well and more frequent in all of the switches. Periodically, we get a shock when we touch the switches as well.

What is causing this? Is it dangerous?
What should have an electrician look for or test for when they come?

Any suggestions that anyone has would be great.

Are any of those switch plates made of metal? How old is the house? nm

goblue0211 · Mar 6, 2007, 09:40 AM

Yes actually - 2 of the 4 face plates making the noise are metal.

Do you think the bare wire is within the walls somewhere? How would I even go about finding out where it is?

goblue0211 · Mar 6, 2007, 09:41 AM

The house was built in 1980.

nmwirez · Mar 6, 2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goblue0211

The house was built in 1980.

There is a grounding problem in the lighting circuits. The two metal plates are live and considered dangerous, so do not touch. There is no loose wire in your house walls if it was inspected and bought off by an inspector when the house was built. If there was remodeling after that then it is a different issue that needs repairing. There may be different branch circuits that are in the same lighting circuit where the problem may be.

I highly suggest hiring a licensed electrician who knows what he is doing. The last guy was a handyman at the best.

nm

goblue0211 · Mar 6, 2007, 11:20 AM

Will do. Is it a fire hazard?

Why would multiple switches be making this noise? Is it because of the different branch circuits that you referenced?

I am not the original owner so I'm not sure if there was remodeling after the original builder did the work. My guess is that there wasn't...

nmwirez · Mar 6, 2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goblue0211

Will do. Is it a fire hazard? It can be but most unlikely.

Why would multiple switches be making this noise? Is it because of the different branch circuits that you referenced?Yes. And the grounding is faulty, otherwise you would not get shocked touching the switch metal wall plate .

I am not the original owner so I'm not sure if there was remodeling after the original builder did the work. My guess is that there wasn't...

Were the metal wall plates there also?
nm

goblue0211 · Mar 6, 2007, 11:32 AM

We added a metal plate just recently...that is probably the source of the problem. If we removed the plate and replaced with plastic, would that help?

nmwirez · Mar 6, 2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goblue0211

We added a metal plate just recently...that is probably the source of the problem. If we removed the plate and replaced with plastic, would that help?

Yes, but it does not solve the basic wiring anomaly of proper grounding.



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