HOT Switch in livingroom

[PEIFAMILY]

Hi,

Our switch has been getting hot for awhile now, so recently replaced the switch but the new switch wouldnt turn off tonight. I pulled the plug out and I burned my finger touching it. Had to get pliers to unplug them.

Heres a picture of the wiring behind the switch. The new switch must be melted inside.

Suggestions? This is for the livingroom light that has 6 bulbs on. The white/black wire was the really hot one. Would a fix be as simple as running a new wire down to the panel incase there is a nail through it somewhere? (already found a few of those already )


Thanks
Jason

 

[hoefler]

Amp draw too high for the switch. Also, the crimp and/or the spade connection is loose. Loose connections cause resistance, resistance cause the amp draw to go up, the increased resistance/draw builds heat. Replace the switch with one that has at least a 20 amp capacity, and replace the ends on the wires. Cut the wires back far enough to get any discoloration removed.

 

[Bob&Patty]

X 2. Have you replaced any bulbs in that circuit?? If so, maybe they are a higher amp than they should be. If the amperage draw is too high it would blow a fuse. A nail in wood would not blow a fuse...wood is not a conductor to ground. If the new switch melted...the circuit is drawing too many amps....but not enough to blow the fuse. Also, maybe the fuse for that circuit is a higher amp than should be.

 

[PEIFAMILY]

Thanks!

I will go replace the crimps first and then likely retrace/replace the wire.

Bulbs.. I use the same size ones, they do blow a lot though. (replace about 2-3 a month)

Fuse.. I think the origional one is in there yet, will double check the size.

Thanks!

 

[Duramax1]

Very strange that you are going through so many light bulbs. Something must not be right.

 

[PEIFAMILY]

Current switch is a 20amp switch. The fuse is 15amp.
Replaced the ends and stripped the wire back to better contact. See how that goes after a hour.

Duramax1 - I wouldnt be surprised. I had to replace the inverter a couple months ago. Now have a boondocker 75amp.

Thanks
Jason

 

[Bob&Patty]

I would remove all the lites and see if you have an issue with connections there. Same thing applies, loose bulb sockets and connections can cause the same issue.