Ask Me Help Desk - Lighted switch flickers

Hi, We purchased and installed two lighted lightswitches (switches light up when off) in the same switch plate. It has two switches. One of the switches works appropriately. The other lighted switch flickers/flashes. We replaced the lighted switch with a new one, and it still flickers. Could this be an electrical problem we are unaware of? Why would the switch flicker? Any suggestions/responses would be appreciated. Thanks.

What is the make and model number of the switch, and what is the switch controlling?
Many of these types of switches will not work properly depending on the type of load.

The lighted switch is Leviton Decora Single Pole Grounding Lighted Rocker Switch. #105-05611-2IS

The flickering switch controls two strands of IKEA Radium Spotlight tracklights. Here's a link to the lights:

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...roductId=66228

After reviewing both product specs, the best I can offer is to be sure the switch that is flickering is grounded properly. The switch should work fine with the load of the track light.

We are pretty sure that it is grounded properly. Could it be something else?

Another thing that could be related is that the splice between the transformer and the connector that goes to the strand burned out on both track lighting strands. This caused both sets of lights to go out. These burnouts happened within weeks of each other. We actually installed them at two different times (weeks apart). We fixed the problems on both strands, and the lights work fine now. Could this in some way be related to the flickering light switch? The flicker has been there since we installed the track lighting strands. Are these signs of a larger problem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bminnis

We are pretty sure that it is grounded properly. Could it be something else?

Another thing that could be related is that the splice between the transformer and the connector that goes to the strand burned out on both track lighting strands. This caused both sets of lights to go out. These burnouts happened within weeks of each other. We actually installed them at two different times (weeks apart). We fixed the problems on both strands, and the lights work fine now. Could this in some way be related to the flickering light switch? The flicker has been there since we installed the track lighting strands. Are these signs of a larger problem?

I have two sets of these lights working in a hallway, operated by a 3 way switch. Both sets have worked great for about a year and then I installed dimmer switches several months ago. They have been working great until last night, one of the Radium strands went out but the other works fine. I have not yet checked the connection in the unit that went out. I know the dimmers were installed properly but have no idea why the one strand would go out on its own. Seemed like you were using the same type of lighting from Ikea.. mine is the older Radium, with the clear casing with perforated aluminum looking shades around the bulbs as opposed to the newer, solid shades.

Please let us know if you have any other problems with your lights... I looking at the light box now to see if anything can be fixed there... but I am not an electrician... just hoping that these lights will hold their weight... and not all go out due to design.

Also, should I try to just re trim the connection wires and re connect with freshly uncoverd wire... granted I can not see any other problem? I will check the ground connection as well to make sure it has not come un done.

Garett

OOH... so sorry, just realized that my track lighting system is the Magnesium from Ikea which, apparently they have replaced with the Radium.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated if anyone can think of anything helpful...

Garett

The neon bulbs in these switches can just fail after a time and that does not mean the switch is not still safe. However, this sounds to me like a ground wire could be slightly loose. First, in the breaker box, shut the power off to the switch, then remove the plate cover and loosen the screws holding the switch in place, pull the switch out of the box and tighten the wire nut on the ground wire (the bare wires are the grounds)and give the other wire nuts a clockwise twist to make sure they are snug. Tighten the screws on the sides of the switch, reassemble everything and turn the power back on. It has been my experience over the last 40 years that this mwill solve the problem in 7 cases out of 10. This same process often times will cure a buzz. Whatever you do be sure to be safe and always shut the power off to any circuit you work on. I've been zapped a few times in my life by not doing so.