[19mquinn79]

I am painting my bathroom, so all the plates for the light switches and outlets have been removed.

One light switch moves a little bit if you touch it, and when I do so, the light flickers a bit. It goes slightly dimmer than normal for a split second.

My question is, do I just need to put the plate back on? Or are there loose wires I need to tighten? Would it be safest just to replace the whole switch box?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Port]

Sounds like you have a loose connection in the box or to the switch. Loose connections can lead to fires or power outages.

If the switch is also loose on the box you may need to install a box extender. The maximum recess for a drywall finish is 1/4", flush if the surface is combustible.

 

[hammerlane]

Make sure wires are wrapped securely around the screw terminal(pointed to with red arrows).

See if you can tighten the screws(pointed to with black arrows) if the switch is not secure in the box.

Provide a picture if you can of the switch so we can see what is going on.

 

[hammerlane]

Here are some examples of how the tabs/ears of the switch need to be in contact with the drywall so it will be able to be secured.

 

[19mquinn79]

this is great advice. i will go home tonight and put it to use. thanks!

 

[jimmy21]

I'm guessing its old stab in the back terminations that need replaced. Replace the switch and wrap the wires around the screws, not the stab in the backs

 

[hammerlane]

I'm guessing its old stab in the back terminations that need replaced. Replace the switch and wrap the wires around the screws, not the stab in the backs

Im betting you're right.

 

[19mquinn79]

well. i tightened the screws that secure the swicth to the box. They were slightly loose, and this seems to have fixed the problem. The light no longer flickers at all. However, i just want to be safe -- is it possible that there still could be some loose connection? The light flickering was only caused by me manually moving the switch back and forth...

 

[rrolleston]

Did you check that screws that hold the wire onto the switch with the power off?

 

[jbfan]

The loose switch did not cause the light to flicker, a loose connection did.
All you did by tightening up the switch is make the switch not move to move the loose connection.
Turn the breaker of and check the wires on the switch!

 

[19mquinn79]

The loose switch did not cause the light to flicker, a loose connection did.
All you did by tightening up the switch is make the switch not move to move the loose connection.
Turn the breaker of and check the wires on the switch!

the wires that connect to the switch were tight when i checked them.

so, when i moved the switch back and forth, was there some other loose connection that i was aggravating?

 

[n0c7]

No one bothered to mention that this is live power? Turn the breaker off before touching this stuff, especially the brass(hot side) screw terminals.

 

[19mquinn79]

No one bothered to mention that this is live power? Turn the breaker off before touching this stuff, especially the brass(hot side) screw terminals.

i did turn off the breaker before touching any of it.

 

[hammerlane]

Can you put up a few pictures of the switch and wiring inside the box?

 

[19mquinn79]

Can you put up a few pictures of the switch and wiring inside the box?

i will definitely do that tonight. thanks.

 

[hammerlane]

reposted below

 

[hammerlane]

No one bothered to mention that this is live power? Turn the breaker off before touching this stuff, especially the brass(hot side) screw terminals.

Yes someone did mention to turn the breaker off in post #10

 

[n0c7]

Yes someone did mention to turn the breaker off in post #10

I know - my concern is that it took until post 10 before someone mentioned that. For someone who doesn't know why a simple single pole switch is flickering the first point of advice should be to turn off the power. :thumbsup:

 

[19mquinn79]

I know - my concern is that it took until post 10 before someone mentioned that. For someone who doesn't know why a simple single pole switch is flickering the first point of advice should be to turn off the power. :thumbsup:

you know how to make a guy feel welcome.

 

[JeepNick]

you know how to make a guy feel welcome.

I thought about responding with "Turn the power off first" when I saw this post the other day and it had only 2 responses. Then I thought "nah, that is common sense."

That said, I think we'd all be surprised how many people electrocute themselves every year because of a lack of common sense. Everyone just wants to keep you alive and well.