Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Rakuda's Avatar
    Rakuda Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 30, 2009, 02:34 PM
    Light switch ozone smell
    Hi,
    I have gone many years without problem, but recently the light switch in a room has started to smell strongly of ozone, the 'electrical smell'. This has never happened before and I'm rather worried. The switch also produces a buzzing noise that coincides with a flickering from the light bulb, which is an energy-saving fluorescent bulb. I have no filament bulbs to hand to check if the type of bulb is the problem. Also, the smell continues even when the switch is fully off.

    Thanks for any advice.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Nov 30, 2009, 02:38 PM

    Replace the switch immediately if you have confirmed all wires are securely attached. The smell and flickering indicate arcing which could be inside the switch
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

New dimmer switch will not dim light - taking power from 3 way switch [ 2 Answers ]

New dimmer switch will not dim light - I am trying to hook up a dimmer switch in a electrical box that already contains a three way switch. I am trying to take power from the three way switch to power the new dimmer and light. The way it is hooked up now the new light works but will not dim with...

Connecting two wires from light kit pull chain switch 2 wire to light kit for fan [ 6 Answers ]

I would like advise on how to attach the two black wires on the light kit pull chain switch to the light kit on the ceiling fan. I see there are two unattached wires on the light kit, one is black and the other is white. Are these the correct wires to attach the pull chain to? If so, how do I...

Can a 20 amp light switch replace a 15 amp light switch? [ 1 Answers ]

Can a 20 amp light switch replace a 15 amp light switch?

Change Pilot Light Switch with a Single-way Switch [ 1 Answers ]

It's worth noted that I am a complete novice, so please be patient with me. I want to replace an existing pilot light switch with a single-way lighted switch. The existing setup has four terminals (red wire, black wire, white wire, and ground wire). The red wire goes to the left, the black wire...

Burning Smell Associated with Light Switch [ 2 Answers ]

I have one light switch that frequently produces a burning smell when turned off (although the light plate is never warm to the touch). The light switch is not particularly old, but wasn't replaced yesterday either. I have had this problem in apartments I have lived in in the past, although this...

View more questions Search