House electric ligh...
 

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House electric light problem

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Got an odd light question. 

One set of lights are not turning properly off. They go from 'on' to 'dim'. They are controlled from two switches.

My wife said the first time she noticed it she got a small electric shock. More of an 'ooooo' as opposed to an 'arrrrrrr'.

No circuit breakers are being tripped. 

Any ideas?

Although I suspect the answer is just call an electrician. 


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:10 pm
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Assuming no rodent action and that it was wired to a satisfactory standard originally I would be looking for signs of damage in the switches. Probably best to call an electrician though if a shock has been experienced, however small… IANAE


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:15 pm
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Maximise the chance of death in your family by posting on the internet rather than calling an electrician.


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:18 pm
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Electrician called.

But I am hoping the Internet is OK. Appears to be working as far as I can tell


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:27 pm
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One of your switches could be faulty, at a guess.

Most likely the one she got the 'shock' from.


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:33 pm
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I pressume one of the poles on the light switch isn't switching cleanly or the live has come lose and is toucing the metal back box. If that hasn't been earthed or has a poor earth then you can get a light tingling if you touch the screws on the faceplate, or if the faceplate itself is metal.

Is it a landing light? Be extra careful if you look at it yourselve as it may switch across rings/circuits i.e. be connected to both the upstairs and downstairs lighting circuit/ring. So if you isolate one the other could still be live.

But yeah if you don't know what you're doing call out a sparks.


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 2:46 pm
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Thx all, 

Just a dodgy switch. Changed and all good. 

Bought an mk switch and thought the terminal screws were short.

Couldn't tighten them up until I googled it and Google said they are effing tight, give it more welly 


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 9:05 pm
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Switches that don’t open cleanly act as a capacitor and hence current can flow.  You don’t notice with a filament lamp, but LEDs draw so little current that there’s sufficient juice to make them illuminate. 


 
Posted : 28/10/2023 9:35 pm

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