Switch Crackling

1) My switch is making a noise what’s wrong with it?

Like many electrical accessories, switches have a limited life span. There are different kinds of switches as follows:

• Light Switch

• Fused Spur Switch

• Dual Pole Switch

• Grid Switch

• Trip Switch

All these switches perform different tasks and are designed for slightly different purposes. They all perform a common task which is to disconnect part of all of the electrical circuit when needed. A failing switch is a potential danger and a SWITCH CRACKLING is certainly a switch that is likely to be failing. 

That crackling is likely to be electrical arcing which is a very dangerous situation indeed and should be fixed as a matter of urgency.

2) What is arcing?

Arcing is electricity attempting to jump a gap between two conductive parts, the arcing noise is made as the electricity jumps the gap. The heat generated by arcing will melt switches and cables and possibly even cause a fire. If you hear what you think is electrical arcing then turn the power off at the consumer unit / fuse box / mains and call an electrician immediately.

3) I am worried about electrical noises now! Can you clarify?

So, there are different types of electrical sounds and arcing noises that you will hear, some of these are normal noises that happen when electrical equipment is operated in a certain way and some will require further attention. 

Electrical trip switch: When these are turned back on at your consumer unit there may be a short crackle or even a little pop as it turns back on. This is often because there is a large electrical load of appliances waiting in the circuit for power to be restored to them. When there is a large load waiting then electricity will attempt to jump the gap in the contacts of the switch and create a pop noise as the electricity jumps the gap on a closing switch. If the switch is turned on slowly you will hear the SWITCH CRACKLING The noise can be minimised by reinstating the switch quickly or even better, disconnecting all appliances BEFORE turning the switch back on.

Electrical accessory exposed to water: Electrical accessories such as pendants, switches and sockets that have been exposed to water can cause fires. The crackling noise associated with these is likely caused by a breakdown in insulation due to the water being somewhat conductive and electricity is now arcing across the accessory and cabling within. Without an RCD or AFDD there will likely be significant damage and possibly a fire if this is not attended to by an electrician. 

Burnt electrical switch or socket: When an electrical accessory has been damaged by burning, heat or otherwise then it is likely that the situation will worsen and cause further problems such as arcing. Any noises coming from an electrical accessory that also has signs of overheating or burning should be investigated by a professional immediately. 

DIY attempts at electrical repairs: Electrical repairs should never be undertaken by someone other than a qualified electrician with the correct test equipment and knowledge to ensure that repairs are safe and correctly carried out in accordance with the wiring regulations. Many electrical arcing issues are as a result of poor or dangerous electrical work carried out by homeowners. 

Old switches and sockets: These things are not meant to last forever. If your electrical switches and sockets look very old, yellowed, feel loose when operating and so on then it may be time to have them replaced. These devices have operating parts and over time these parts can wear causing larger than intended gaps to appear across contacts, contacts to make poor electrical connection and inevitably excessive heat build-up and associated problems. 

4) Is there anything I can do to check if my home electrics are, ok?

Yes absolutely. We are specialists in inspection and testing and fault finding. We are able to assist you when you have problems or pick up on problems before they adversely affect your electrical system so they can be fixed sooner and normally at less cost. 

We can perform varying degrees of inspection for you as follows:

• A glance over some photographs that you send us

• A visual inspection with basic tests, on site at your home 

• A thorough and full Periodic Electrical Inspection

5) What are these things and what will they cost me?

1.    Glancing over your photographs that you send to us – Free. Just contact us so we can exchange mobile numbers and then we will normally use some kind of internet messaging service that’s convenient to both of us to have a look for you. 
2.    Visual inspection with basic tests, on site at your home. This involves a visual check along with some very basic electrical tests and a written report detailing any visually confirmed electrical issues, recommendations and highlighting any dangerous situations. This is NOT a thorough test and will not unearth any hidden issues but will give you some idea of the safety and age of your electrical system. 
3.    A thorough and full Periodic Electrical Inspection and the production of an Electrical Installation Condition Report. This is a 6–8-page document that is valuable to home purchasers, homeowners and insurers. This is a much more thorough and complete inspection (see Ts and Cs) than any other form of inspection and will highlight hidden issues with wiring, circuits, fuse box and more. Please do not confuse our electrical inspections with the cheap EICR adverts on the internet. A thorough and complete electrical inspection will take TIME, a typical three bed detached property will involve 4 hours work. 

6) Can you just replace the switch or socket that is making the noise for me?

Maybe. Quite often this will actually solve the problem and mean that all is now ok. Sometimes there are bigger issues that will require more work and extra costs. If the arcing has been an issue for a while, then we may find that there are damaged cables and melted parts to deal with. In these instances, it may be necessary to replace cabling and create a little more disruption. Sorry. You can see what happens in the picture below when loose electrical connections and arcing become an issue. The picture above shows the front of the switch but the below picture shows the back of it. 

Screenshot our phone number and put us in your phone! If you need us then we are here to help. If you hear a SWITCH CRACKLING then it may be something serious, call us for help and advice.