A corroded contactor inside the switch could cause the flicker but would also probably cause the switch to feel warm at the touch. That is especially common if you are using an unreliable cfl light bulb.
Changing Out An Old Light Switch Home Improvement Stack
Light switch not working after changing. If you have several light switches or light fixtures that are not working then there may be a short in the electrical wiring or most likely a loose connection has developed. Not to suggest that youre a dim bulb pun intended but have you made sure the fixture is. The electrician used the red wire switched for the light at the outlet. Guide to resetting a circuit breaker inspecting the light fixture wiring. Plug or wall switch. There is a good possibility that the problem is either a tripped circuit breaker or a problem in the light fixture wiring.
A wire getting loose in a terminal screw or in a wire connector at the switch or light fixture could cause the flicker. Make sure your voltage tester is working before you test the switch. If the wires were loosely connected electric arcing may have generated enough heat to melt the plastic casing of the. So that is why you are getting 3 voltages at the switch from hot black to ground red to groundand white to ground. Typically the location of the electrical short will need to located after identifying all of the affected devices that are on the circuits that are not functioning. 10 reasons why your lights dont work 1.
Insert the leads into a working electrical outlet. If the wattage is too. If upon installation of a new switch the short black wire from the switch to the wire nut causes a tug on the wire nut and a loose connection of the incoming hot is formed then none of the other devices downstream will get power either. If insulation is packed too tightly around the light fixture it may be trapping heat around the light fixture canister. Usually its a simple solution like a burnt out light bulb. Check to see if the lightbulbs in the light fixture have the proper wattage for the light fixture.
If the light stays off or the meter reads zero move the lead to the other brass terminal. If its working test the switch by touching a lead from the voltage tester to the green ground screw and the other lead to a brass terminal. This can be for one of several reasons. If you still get no reading its safe to handle the switch. Hot coming in hot going out to next device and hot to switch. Other reasons may be more complicated like a faulty device or short circuit.
Are you trying to figure out why a light bulb appliance or light fixture is not working when you flip the switch. Is anything else in the room failing to turn on. By not breaking the tab you are back feeding power to the switch on the red from the black on the outlet. If the light is not working there may be a loose wire that did not make connection or was left out of a wire connection all together. If so check your service panel breakerfuse box.
Gallery of Light Switch Not Working After Changing
