Electrical mystery

[SideShow Bob]

Along the line of jslo's thought, does the switch have a "On and Off" embossed into the lever ? Or, is it blank when in either position ?
Also did you throw any switches at the opposite end of the darkened section ?

If it is a miss-wired 3-way switch, the problem switch and it's mate will have to be in a certain position for the lights to be on.
Put the switch back into the up (what you consider on) and try flipping the switches at the other end of the area, one at a time to see if you can get the lights back on.

[Duman]

Regardless of root cause, it should not become a federal case until some basic investigation/troubleshooting is performed.

Investigation before escalation.

[SideShow Bob]

Investigation before escalation.

Aw man, where's the fun in that........

[motoboy]

Sooooo. If all other devices are working in the house by flipping the switch that had the tape on in back then it is not a GFCI or a voltage issue. If a quarter of the house lighting is being affected it is not a 3-way switch issue. A miss wired 3-way would only effect the lighting in that area, room, hallway etc.

My guess is that the something is miss wired in that switch box, specifically the wiring on that switch. That lighting circuit is being "interrupted" by that switch. And the other question is what is that switch supposed to work ? A switched outlet perhaps ?

[SideShow Bob]

Sooooo. If all other devices are working in the house by flipping the switch that had the tape on in back then it is not a GFCI or a voltage issue. If a quarter of the house lighting is being affected it is not a 3-way switch issue. A miss wired 3-way would only effect the lighting in that area, room, hallway etc.

My guess is that the something is miss wired in that switch box. That lighting circuit is being "interrupted" by that switch. And the other question is what is that switch supposed to work ? A switched outlet perhaps ?

You would be shocked (pun intended) as to what a DIY home owner will tap into for power when doing their own remodel. "Hey this is a hot wire, we can tap into it to feed _______ ."

[motoboy]

You would be shocked (pun intended) as to what a DIY home owner will tap into for power when doing their own remodel. "Hey this is a hot wire, we can tap into to feed _______ ."

No I really would not.

Have seen most if not all of it in 23 years of being a electrician.

[jslo]

In a somewhat defense for home inspectors, 2 points I'd make are:
1) I don't believe theyou have the time, or you would be willing to pay their increased fees, to check out every switch and recepticles in the house. They usually will select some randomly or concentrate on the more safety concerned areas, ie gfic.
2) I see many switches "taped" on when exterior lights are swapped out for photo cell or motion lights requiring constant power. If this switch was on by an exterior door you could assume that it had a this purpose.
A mis-wired 3/4 way is fairly easy to wire up incorrectly but also easy to correct. This also is assuming it is a 3/4 way.

[izzy]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but a 3 way switch is when two switches control the same set of lights? If this switch has a companion I don't know which one that would be, I've flipped every other switch in the house and can't find one that's bringing the power back.

The breaker box was replaced less than a year ago and I have the receipt for the work someplace in this pile of moving boxes. I may contact the company that installed it once the documentation turns up. Is it typical for a switch in the breaker box to fully "click off" but not completely go back into the on position?

[Great-Kazoo]

In a somewhat defense for home inspectors, 2 points I'd make are:
1) I don't believe theyou have the time, or you would be willing to pay their increased fees, to check out every switch and recepticles in the house. They usually will select some randomly or concentrate on the more safety concerned areas, ie gfic.
2) I see many switches "taped" on when exterior lights are swapped out for photo cell or motion lights requiring constant power. If this switch was on by an exterior door you could assume that it had a this purpose.
A mis-wired 3/4 way is fairly easy to wire up incorrectly but also easy to correct. This also is assuming it is a 3/4 way.

We understand an inspector isn't going to do a wall to ceiling , corner to corner inspection, for the price one is charged. However the reason there's a taped switch should have been disclosed prior to closing, be the seller. If the taped switch is part of a larger issue, someone should have picked up on it.

[SideShow Bob]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but a 3 way switch is when two switches control the same set of lights? If this switch has a companion I don't know which one that would be, I've flipped every other switch in the house and can't find one that's bringing the power back.

The breaker box was replaced less than a year ago and I have the receipt for the work someplace in this pile of moving boxes. I may contact the company that installed it once the documentation turns up. Is it typical for a switch in the breaker box to fully "click off" but not completely go back into the on position?

On the breaker question, yes, a breaker will not trip to the fully off position. Try to cycle each breaker to the fully off position then back to the on position. If one trips back to the "tripped position" it will not be in the fully off position.