This one needs a licensed pro
Stop: warm with nothing running
A switch that is warm with the lights off, or an outlet that is warm with nothing plugged in, has heat coming from the wiring. Turn the breaker off and call a licensed electrician.
Why this happens
When nothing is drawing power through a switch or outlet, it has no normal reason to be warm. Mr. Electric lists a switch getting hot while the lights are off as a red flag. CPSC says unusually warm outlets or switches may indicate an unsafe wiring condition.
What to do right now
- 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 or outlet and leave it off.
- Feel the switch or outlet again after a while. Tell the electrician whether it cooled down.
- Call a licensed electrician. Do not take the cover plate off.
What to tell the licensed electrician
- That it is warm with the lights off or with nothing plugged in.
- Which breaker you turned off and whether it cooled down after.
- Whether it is a dimmer, and whether it sits in a box with other dimmers.
- The age of the house, and whether you have seen AL or Aluminum printed on cable jackets.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
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References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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