Just today, I found my light switch is vibrating, I immediately thought this could be a symptom of electricity leaking. So I used a continuity tester and found there is electricity on the surface of the metal switch, also tests on ceiling light and other switches in the house turns out positive.
I am getting a bit worried, I need some expert advise. if this is a urgent problem or what kind of a job are need to fix this.
Thank you.
2007-10-04 08:58:55 · 12 answers · asked by Yangyanzhe 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Btw: all my light switches are simple on/off ones, not those turning ones.
2007-10-04 09:00:57 · update #1
Well, its just the light switches, its all the ceiling lights as well. :(
2007-10-04 09:11:04 · update #2
Electricity does indeed leak, due to poor insulation or faulty wiring, this normally leaks safely away to earth, but in your case the earth is of high impedance or non-existant which is leaving all earth connected items on that section of wiring with a voltage potential. What you are feeling is not a vibration but a 'tingle' from the voltage present in the metal switch plate. Get an electrician in SAP to check the circuit, before the voltage level rises to something more dangerous or you make contact with a 'good' earth at the same time.
2007-10-04 11:43:15 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could be that there is a break in the earth wire if the switch is not live ie you don't get a belt off it just a tingle then this is caused by emf, electricity sort of leaking in to the metal work .This needs to be rectified as soon as possible.If a fault does occur then it might not blow the fuse. A sparky will be able to test your earth fault loop impedance if you want to test it yourself pull the fuse and get a long lead from your main earth at the meter and test the continuity from the lead to the earth terminal at the furthest light fitting it should be less than a couple of ohms but I would advise you to call in a sparky I know it's not cheap but electricity can bite like a bugger
2007-10-04 10:39:08 · answer #2 · answered by barney 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're earth cable is not properly connected at the board, allowing residual current to leak enough so that the trip won't catch it, but enough to cause problems. However some older light switches have no earth connections at all, and it's picking up residual current from the live cable.
An electrician will use a 'megger' tester (specialist's electricial tester) to quickly determine your earth loop impedance, insulation resistance and continuity of circuits. If there is fault here, the 'best practice' is to rewire the lighting circuit, however if he's worth his salt, he could isolate the source where the 'leak' is coming from and replace the cable at the troublesome spot alone.
2007-10-04 09:16:41 · answer #3 · answered by Raging Tranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One reason you hear a humming sound is harmonics in the circuit. The other could be arcing. It is not leaking.
Arcing is a serious problem and will cause a fire.
You have some loose connections, most likely at your switch.
Turn your breaker off, and tighten the screws on the switch.
If this dosen't work you can tighten the connections at the panel. The ground bar wires (bare copper or green wires). The neutral bar (white) wires.
The wires at the breakers.
The service entrance wires on the main lugs. You will have to pull the meter to kill the power to the main lugs.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this call a qualified electrician.
Remember arcing is a serious problem and will cause a fire.
2007-10-05 18:02:31 · answer #4 · answered by Al L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may find that over a period of time, could be years that the screws holding the cables on to the pug have worked loose, happens a lot, the vibrating is probably a buzzing sound where the electricity is arcing, if the plug is warm get it changed because it is a fire hazard.
Ken
2007-10-05 23:51:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to believe that all the light switches in your house could be "leaking", but maybe you do need expert advice. The expert is called an electrician.
2007-10-04 09:24:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
definately get an electrician. I have seen some fools use the ground wire(bare or green) as the neutral (white). And other crazy stuff.
Good thing electrical devices are mostly plastic eh?
2007-10-04 13:34:05 · answer #7 · answered by analize2much 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Electricity doesn't leak!
Sounds like a faulty light switch!
2007-10-04 09:08:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Check your Earth connection on the fuse box.
2007-10-04 10:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
this should get some funny responses. Leaking electricy is not possible. You may need to re wire though.
2007-10-04 09:07:02 · answer #10 · answered by Warfighter 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋