Why Does My Light Switch Feel Hot?

Warmth or heat in a light switch often indicates some underlying electrical issue that you should address without delay. The first step is to find out what’s causing the problem, what follows are some guidelines to help you with a diagnosis. 

One important distinction is to determine whether the light switch feels hot, or only warm. Electricity is a dangerous commodity, so in either case you should still consider consulting a professional electrician.

There may be several reasons for your light switch feeling hot, of which these are the top four.

1. It’s Worn Out

Like any appliances and devices, whether domestic or commercial, light switches eventually wear out. Old and outdated ones are more prone to overheating and the electrical contacts might give off a small spark. Turning the light on and off in these circumstances can pose a serious risk of fire. Eventually, as they wear down further, the contacts won’t connect properly, allowing the electrical current to flow more freely and thus generating heat. If your light switches are old and outdated, it’s advisable to replace them with new ones before any such problem occurs. 

2. Faulty Or Incorrect Wiring

When installing a light switch, always ensure the wiring is correctly placed and properly connected. If your lights are flickering or the switch feels hot, it could indicate that the wires are loose or damaged. The light switch will still function, even if the wires are only slightly touching, but the electricity will be forced to travel via an inferior connection to reach the light fixture. This creates heat – and the loose or broken wires may cause the switch to spark. To prevent the risk of fire from a sparking switch, have your light switches installed and checked over by a certified electrician.

3. Power Overload

Light switches are only designed to carry a limited amount of power, otherwise the circuit will get overloaded. If that happens, the switch can overheat and feel hot. Although electrical circuits often use up to 20 amps of power, light switches are typically intended to handle a maximum of 15 amps. To prevent a power overload in your light switches, replace them with higher-rated switches. Newer types of light switches are much more capable of meeting the electrical demand without overheating. Switches are always designed and rated for specific power levels. If these are exceeded, the switch can easily become degraded, leading to electrical issues such as the creation of heat.

4. Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are far more common than they used to be, as they allow for total manual or automatic control of how bright you want your rooms. The downside is that they produce more heat than ordinary on/off light switches, although this shouldn’t normally be a significant amount. It’s possible for them to overheat, though, and for the same reasons as standard light switches. If your dimmer switches seem abnormally hot, call in a professional electrician. 

Some switches naturally feel warm when you touch them, simply because of the current passing through them. But if they feel warm when the light is switched off, it indicates that you might have a problem. Dimmer switches are more likely to feel warm because they function by restricting the flow of current to the light fixture. This creates electrical resistance and generates a certain amount of heat

Why Your Light Switch Might Give You An Electric Shock

Experiencing an electric shock is never pleasant, and when it occurs at a light switch, it can take you by surprise. Most shocks like this are minor and offer no cause for concern, but might suggest that you have an underlying electrical problem. Some of the issues that might be causing electric shocks in your light switch include:

Old Or Outdated Switches

Old or outdated switches are more prone to overheating and sparking, so turning them on or off might give you a shock. It’s always sensible to keep your electrical appliances up to date, including all sockets and switches. Replacing old or outdated light switches will help to ensure the safety of your premises and anyone inside them.

Faulty Wiring

Old, loose or broken wires are more likely to suffer electrical surges and therefore offer a greater likelihood of shocks.

Two-Prong Outlets

Two-pronged outlets have mostly been replaced by three-prong sockets. The third prong goes to earth and provides additional protection against electrical shocks.

Static Electricity

You’ll probably experience the most frequent and least harmful shocks from static electricity. This comes from metal screws in the light switch forming a conductive path and travelling along it to your hand. This tends to occur more frequently in rooms with carpeted floors, especially those made from synthetic fibres. It’s also more common in winter when the air is usually drier.

What To Do If Your Light Switch Is Hot

If you decide that your light switch only feels warm, it doesn’t pose an imminent threat. But if you’re convinced that what you’re feeling is hot, it indicates that the switch could have too much electrical current flowing through it, exceeding its current rating. This means you have an urgent electrical problem that risks causing an electrical fire if you don’t resolve the issue promptly.

If your light switch feels hot, don’t ignore it: deal with the problem immediately. Your first move must always be to turn the light off as soon as possible. Until you’ve had a chance to diagnose the cause of the heat, any electrical current passing through the switch must immediately be discontinued. Your most sensible option is to contact a qualified electrician, who can assess the situation and take the most appropriate action to render your system safe.