NWA Electricians Serving Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, Bella Vista & More!
Every day, you walk through your home and flip light switches to enjoy the light flooding into your rooms. You likely give little thought to the switches when you use them until something goes wrong. Yet behind that simple switch is a complex electrical system that can create a fire risk if not installed or maintained properly. Bud Anderson Home Services has a team of electricians who can assist you in ensuring your electrical switches are fully functional and working safely in your home.
Signs That a Light Switch Is Broken
Light switches are fairly durable components of your home, but they do not last forever. When a light switch has worn out, it creates an unseen fire hazard that puts your home at risk. Thankfully, there are a number of signs that indicate you may be close to having a problem. If you are concerned about the safety of your light switches, watch for these signs that it may be time for light switch replacement.
- Unusual sounds – If you hear cracking, hissing, or popping sounds, it indicates electrical arcing on the inside of the switch, which needs to be addressed immediately to prevent a fire.
- Hot temperature – Light switches should not get hot to the touch. This indicates a fire risk.
- Delays – If it takes a few seconds from the moment you flip the switch to the moment the light actually turns on, then the switch is wearing out. This is not a fire hazard, but it does indicate it is time to think about light switch replacement.
If you’re noticing any of these problems, you need to get help quickly. Even though they seem minor and your light switch may still turn on the light, they indicate more serious problems lurking in your walls.
Call Bud Anderson to schedule a light switch replacement to protect your home from an electrical fire.
Installing a Dimmer Switch
If you need to replace a light switch, you may wish to consider installing a dimmer switch. A dimmer switch lets you control the level of the light, turning it brighter or dimmer based on your needs. You can replace just about any standard switch with a dimmer switch, but you must make sure that the light switch wiring is properly connected to protect your home. Dimmer switches do not work with most fluorescent fixtures, but they do work on most other types of fixtures.
To ensure you can safely use a dimmer switch, talk to an electrician from Bud Anderson.
Light Switch Grounding
Many light switches have a third wire known as a grounding wire. This wire gives the electrical current an “out” if there is a problem with the regular circuit. The grounding wire sends the current back to the ground safely if there is a problem with the light switch wiring.
If you are replacing light switches in your home, you may find that some are not grounded. This is a slight safety risk, and one that is easy to fix by replacing the switch with a grounded one. While this risk is fairly mild, it is a good idea to have the system grounded to ensure your family’s safety.
If you need help grounding your light switches, Bud Anderson’s electricians are ready to assist.
Schedule Light Switch Repair or Replacement in NWA Today
Whether you are looking for light switch repair, replacement, or wiring upgrades, Bud Anderson is ready to serve. Schedule an appointment with our skilled and attentive electrician today to discuss your electrical needs. With our help, you can have safe, functional light switches throughout your home.