Know of any electricians?
- Thread starter Petzel
- Start date
My kitchen light doesn't work. It's a new bulb so it's not that but when you flip the switch on nothing happens but I can hear electrical shorting or crackling from inside the wall.
I would try changing the switch first but hey is your home burning down worth it ?!?
If the shorting sound is from the switch then it may be that the connections have come loose over time. Shut off the power and tighten up the screws, or change the switch altogether. The switch will cost you about $1.50. If the shorting sound is in the wall then it is a much bigger problem, in that case you should call an electrician. If no new wiring is required, then is is a small 2 hour job that will cost you about $200.
a lot of the new cfl bulbs have a shorter base that makes a poor or no connection to some old sockets. probably not your problem, but just want to mention it. you said the "crackling" is "in the wall"!!! i really doubt that as there should only be straight runs of wire outside of a box. but you never know what a previous handyman might have done. i often wonder how people who don't do their own electricity or plumbing make out when things go wrong. I guess this answers that thought. they hire someone. i don't know of any electricians-for-hire. sorry.
A little sensitive? Try dummy instead - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-replace-a-light-switch.html
That goes without saying, however, it is not hard, nor difficult, nor dangerous to change a switch.
Cut the power at the panel box.
Remove the old switch from the box.
Disconnect the 2 wires from the terminals.
Reverse the procedure.
If there is only one switch controling the light, there will only be 2 wires and you cannot install them wrong. Just make sure that when you push the new switch into the box that the letter on the switch is right side up so that the on postion will be up.
If there are 2 switches controlling the light, then there is a distinct pattern to how the wires must be hooked up.
hold it right there. i think you know how to do it and i've done it dozens of times but telling someone who has no clue is different. which breaker? the house? or the one for the switch? is there two circuits in the box? how does he check that really there is no power? it can be very dangerous. if you don't know how, i always suggest either pay an electrician or get a friend.
Jesus, it's like the easiest thing there is. James t Kirk spelled it out pretry clearly.
There are even several videos on YouTube that show how it's done. http://m.youtube.com/results?q=change light switch
Apparently even ladies can do it.
There are even several videos on YouTube that show how it's done. http://m.youtube.com/results?q=change light switch
Apparently even ladies can do it.
He's only pulling out 1 switch.
If there are 2 switches side by side and they are a separate circuit - then cut the power to the other switch as well just in case he accidently contacts the second switch.
Good advice. People die from touching the wrong wires.better have a reliable tester if you don't know what circuit to shut off since you can't tell from the lightA little advice from your friendly neighbourhood sparky!
Just one more note from an amateur who refers to the handy Your Electrical Code book that Home Despot sells every time he does anything: You can start to go wrong when you buy your switch. If only one switch is controlling that light you do NOT want to buy a three-way switch even though it can be made to do the job. The extra terminal screw will only confuse you and tempt you into mistakes. If you found a three-way already in place, with only two of the terminal screws being used, get a switch with just two screws and leave things better than you found them. As has been said above, two switches controlling one light—called 'three-way' switches—require connection of the proper wire to the proper terminal. The switch you want will have just two terminals.
Note: The uninsulated, bare wire is the Ground wire. It's not supposed to ever carry current unless something goes wrong, but if it does, it is supposed to be there to do that. That's why it doesn't get mentioned in this sort of discussion. If it is supposed to connect to anything besides the box itself, there will be a green screw or wire to connect it to. NEVER assume the ground, or any wire, is not carrying current. TEST.
Note: The uninsulated, bare wire is the Ground wire. It's not supposed to ever carry current unless something goes wrong, but if it does, it is supposed to be there to do that. That's why it doesn't get mentioned in this sort of discussion. If it is supposed to connect to anything besides the box itself, there will be a green screw or wire to connect it to. NEVER assume the ground, or any wire, is not carrying current. TEST.
The OP has asked for a recommendation on an electrician. Not everyone is comfortable nor do they have the mechanical skills to change a light switch. there are factors here that can be very confusing to someone that doesn't understand electrical. no one has mentioned "aluminum wiring" and if by chance it is, there are other things to consider such as Al compliant, contact paste , handling of the aluminum wiring etc. there could also be a 4way switch in this as well, (although not mentioned )
Perhaps the OP should hire an electrician and have peace of mind.
Perhaps the OP should hire an electrician and have peace of mind.
