This one needs a licensed pro
Stop: warning signs at the switch
Heat, scorch marks, a burning smell, buzzing, crackling, sparks or a tingle at a switch mean something is overheating or failing. Turn its breaker off and call a licensed electrician.
Why this happens
CPSC says switch plates may be warm but should never be hot or painful to touch or discolored from heat, and that a switch that arcs or sparks when you use it should be checked by a qualified electrician. ESFI lists discolored switches, a burning smell and a mild shock or tingle from a switch as warning signs. CPSC says any shock, even a mild tingle, may be a warning of danger. For a shock from a metal faceplate or its screws, CPSC says to turn off that circuit at the panel and avoid touching the faceplate or using the switch until a qualified electrician has helped. Family Handyman says that if you smell anything or feel heat at a switch that has stopped working, turn off the power right away. A broken or missing cover plate belongs here too: CPSC says a missing faceplate exposes electrical parts and creates a potential shock hazard.
What to do right now
- If you see smoke or flames, get out, stay out and call 911.
- Stop using the switch, and do not touch it or its cover plate again. Do not keep flipping it to test it.
- At the panel, open only the hinged door. Never remove the metal cover behind it; that cover is for electricians. Keep your hands dry and do not stand on a wet floor.
- Switch OFF the breaker for that switch. If you cannot tell which one it is, call an electrician rather than guessing with the switch still live.
- Leave the breaker off and call a licensed electrician. Do not take the cover plate off the switch.
When to stop. If the smell gets stronger or you see smoke, leave the house and call 911.
What to tell the licensed electrician
- Which switch it is and exactly what you noticed: heat, discoloring, smell, buzzing, crackling, sparks, a tingle, or a broken or missing cover plate.
- What the switch controls, and whether it is a dimmer.
- Which breaker you turned off and what else lost power with it.
- The age of the house, and whether you know it has aluminum wiring.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
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