I dont get it from any other switches in the house? but this one kinda shorts the others and gives me a shock?
2006-08-14 04:42:43 · 7 answers · asked by livachic2005 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would say the switch or wiring inside the outlet box is defective - the switch and box should totally isolate the user from any hazardous voltages.
A) Most likely, there is a loose hot wire inside the box (probably a metal box) which needs to be insulated and/or screwed to the appropriate switch terminal
At the breaker panel, shut off the power to the outlet. Remove the switch cover and carefully pull out the switch - use a voltmeter to make sure there are no live voltages . Check all the wiring for anything loose, or damaged insulation which might cause the copper wire to short against the metal box. (If not a metal box, then most definitely the switch is defective.) Re-attach any loose wires and/or wrap using at least 3 layers of electrical tape any exposed wires that have broken insulation, re-install the switch and cover and you're done.
- or -
B) the switch is defective -- it has an internal short circuit which takes live voltage to the user - grounding it will only short the hot voltage to ground, and trip your circuit breaker -- and this will not solve the problem.
A new switch costs less than $2.50. Replace it and be done with it.
If this task is beyond your skills or comfort level, then definitely call an electrician or handyman who knows about wiring. Should not cost more than $50.
2006-08-14 05:24:27 · answer #1 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
what do you mean shorts the others? are there other switches controling the same light as that switch or does that switch cause a breaker to trip? someone could have reversed the wires on the light fixture
2006-08-14 05:19:37 · answer #2 · answered by Joe M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The grounding is probably the issue. Kill the power and take it apart. Check it out. Make sure all the wires are properly attached.
You can browse the following web page or google for yourself to see how the wires should look inside.
2006-08-14 05:02:33 · answer #3 · answered by powhound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you have si the hot wire touching ground, the wire may only be loose. Turn off the circuit, remove the switch and reconnect.
2006-08-14 05:23:36 · answer #4 · answered by daveinsurprise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get that checked out.....dont use it till then....u could really hurt urself
2006-08-14 04:56:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have someone check the wiring
2006-08-14 04:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by mytrollinid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not properly grounded simple to fix
2006-08-14 04:48:43 · answer #7 · answered by chman2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋