Help!! possible shorted switch?

sauce

So I had this light flickering while its off.

I read on the internet this is a possible short in the switch and fire hazard (!)

So I found the breaker (kitchen) and turned it off until I can get someone to fix it.. but now my fridge is off and full of food!

Would it be safe to just disconnect the switch, wrap up the two wires in electical tape and then turn the breaker back on?

And if the light doesn't flicker again does it mean the switch was the problem ..?

jbfan

Flickering means loose connection, and it could be the switch.
How is the switch wired?

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AllanJ

1. Get an extension cord to plug the refrigerator into another receptacle.

or,

2. Flip the switch to on and leave the light on. Then you can leave the breaker on for the refrigerator.

or,

3. Unscrew the light bulb. Then no current will flow across the loose connection in the switch with the breaker turned back on.

Or, 4, yes you could turn off the breaker, open the switch box and take the switch away completely and tape the loose wire ends and then turn the power back on if you feel comfortable doing all that yourself.

Most likely something in the switch has worn so as to result in a loose switch contact as opposed to the proper open contacts with the switch flipped off.

Do you hear any buzzing at the switch when the light is flickering?

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sauce

Its like 2 wires held down by screws.

It also looks very old when i see how well painted shut it was - very dusty and the wires look ancient

(I've already removed the switch and wraped them with electrical tape, im just scared about turning back on the breaker)

sauce

No no buzzing, just intermittant flickering while sitting off. (or a crazy flicker fest after just turning it off)

AllanJ

Wait a minute!

Is the ceiling light a compact fluorescent? Is the switch toggle supposed to light up when flipped off?

That combination can result in the light flickering and it is not hazardous. But you might want to replace the switch with a non lighted switch anyway to avoid annoyance by the flickering ceiling light. The switch light draws a minute current through the light being controlled and that is not enough to make a 120 volt incandescent bulb flicker.

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The average homeowner who lost his house in the Oklahoma tornadoes should move for good and not rebuild. Too much complexity watchdogging the contractor. Too much a chance to be defrauded.

sauce

No, I think its a halogen

I just googled compact florescent and it don't look like that squigly thingee

HARRY304E

You should never install a halogen lamp in a ceiling fixture because of all the heat they create..

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AllanJ

Actually it is okay to use a halogen lamp provided you don't exceed the watts rating of the fixture.

__________________
The average homeowner who lost his house in the Oklahoma tornadoes should move for good and not rebuild. Too much complexity watchdogging the contractor. Too much a chance to be defrauded.