On occasion, I will turn on a light switch and it will make a slight pop (not loud at all but you can hear it). It doesn't happen all the time, actually it doesn't happen all that often. What causes this? Just curious if this is normal or if its something to be concerned about. Thanks!

It may be arcing from accumulated dirt, etc. I think a new one is about a buck, and would take 5 minutes to change. Get rid of it.

Does the fuse blow? Did you open it up and look for arcing? Or check the wires to make sure they're clean and tight?

Otherwise do as labman says. Spend the buck and change!

I'm not an electrician, but I have the same problem (light switch pop noise) & can offer this:

New home, about 6 light switches were installed upside-down (when light was off, these light switches were in the "up" position). I took those light switches and made them right-side up to satisfy my OCD. I never noticed the problem before that, but maybe I wasn't paying attention. I think that's when the problem started as well.

The pop is heard most of the time when you operate light switch at normal speeds. When you operate it at high speed (quickly flick switch), pop isn't heard or is VERY faint. Also, popping noise DOES sound like an arc inside the switch and if switch is operated at slow speed, there is a fizzle or static sound, followed by a electrical burn smell.

When I turned these light switches right-side up, shoving the switch back into the wall may caused that bare wire to touch itself more than once or touch the backside of the switch. Going with that theory, I pulled switch out, eliminating any multiple contact points w/ bare wire and tested- still makes pop. I don't get it. Maybe the other switch that operates this light is also the same way? I pulled it out and tested- this one pops, too. I don't get it. Must be a bad light switch? If that's true- a half dozen brand new light switches are bad/crap.

I will say this- when flipping switch from up position to down position (to turn off), I only need to move switch about 3mm down for light to turn off. That's not very much. It could be that the inside of the light switch HAS deteriorated from the "ON" position being so close to the stopping point of the light switch's "up" position. That's a crappy designed light switch. The lights should turn on/off when the actual switch is at the 50% up/down position.

Does this make any sense? Feedback appreciated.

Most switches snap and make a slight noise, some louder than others. You can purchase "quiet switches" for an additional cost.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Most switches snap and make a slight noise, some louder than others. You can purchase "quiet switches" for an additional cost.

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Are you suggesting that these are just cheap switches and that "fizzle & static sounds followed by a faint electrical burn smell" is normal with these?:eek:

No, only that the "snap" sound of the switch is normal. When you move the toggle it moves a spring loaded switching mechanism that snaps to the other position. It is done this way to prevent you from making or breaking the electrical connection slowly which is when arcing occurs. A "fizzle & static" sound would be the sound of arcing. That sound and an electrical burning odor (arcing would create heat) would indicate a defective switch. Wouldn't think you would get more than one of these at a time, but perhaps you did.

Noticing you use of "3mm" indicating that you may be in Europe or Great Britain and on a 240 volt system. The higher voltage would make arcing more likely and switch construction more critical. That may explain how you could get more than one faulty switch.