4 way switch problems plz help odd sounds

bwavem

I've been having problems with a 4 way switch. Last year the switch went bad and it was a old light switch which had mercury in it that went everywhere. It was hooked up with two black wires on one side and to red on the other. I bought a new 15 amp switch and hooked it up the same way. All is good all light switches work. But after a month I started to notice when I flipped the switch it made a buzz or and arch sound and the light flickered. So I bought another and replaced it. Hooked up same way.( since all light switches worked I figured this was correct) after 6 months I noticed same thing is happening. I also noticed that the switch itself wiggles side to side. And that is when the sound happens and light flicker. Is this a problem of bad switches? Wrong hook up? Cheap switches paid $15 at ace)? Or what I have no idea whats happeing here. Help would be appreciated thanks.

joecaption

Someone's going to need to know the total watts your trying to run off of that switch.

bwavem

The switches control just the top of 3 outlets and all that us plugged into them out let's are two lamps with those new curled light bulbs.

AllanJ

A loose connection or a bad/worn out switch.

You are hearing the arcing sound because there is an arc.

Most modern switches will arc if you intentially hold the toggle halfway.

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bwavem

So you think it's all hooked up correct? Just bad switch or loose connection

bwavem

I never had any problems with the original switch and I lived there for 5 years until I put these new light bulbs (pigtail) cfl bulbs in. After I did 2 months later the first switch went bad. Does anyone think maybe the bulbs could be cause damage to the switches?

joecaption

These are just reguler toggle switches, not dimmers, right?
Should have no effect on a toggle.

bwavem

Just regular switches