Electrical problem!

[eneranch]

Is it safe to assume the switch used to operate the outside light just fine??
Is the outside light only operated by that switch or is it on 2 or more switches??
Sounds like a faulty switch; a loose connection would mean the light would not work or intermittent at best.

[flogger]

Originally Posted by flogger
I hear you, my grandfather was electrocuted when I was a kid and I've always been afraid of electricity, of course, he was strapped to a chair and his head was shaved so he couldn't do much about it.



True story?

No, I heard a union carpenter use that years ago, couldn't pass it up.

[SideShow Bob]

Is this light on a 3 way setup (2 switches on 1 light) ? If so the other switch is probably in the opposite position from what it has been, and the 3 way circuit is miss-wired.
Especially if this is a fairly new dwelling to you or if the second switch is in a place where you seldom use it.
I had a relative that lived in a house for several years and all of a sudden had a similar problem, turns out one of their kids had thrown the seldom used second switch.
Found that the original build electrician or a previous owner didn't know how to wire up a 3 way switch circuit.

A quick way to tell if it is on a 3 way is to look at the switch, if it has Off/On embossed into the switch lever it is a single switch circuit. If the switch lever is blank ( no embossing ) it is a 3 way switch.

[Wulf202]

good point bob. 3 way switches are also considerably wider and have 4 screws to tie into. You have to pull the plate to verify these.

Some older 2 way switches lack the on/off embossing.

[Irving]

Just a single switch to the back porch light. I've got the breaker off now and am about to take the plate off and see what's going on. Something fell against the plate cover about a week ago and actually broke the tip of the switch off. It's an old house and an old switch. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some delicate wiring just holding together and the shock from the impact finally convinced it to let go. Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I over reacted a bit when I posted as it doesn't seem like a big deal now.

[SideShow Bob]

Something fell against the plate cover about a week ago and actually broke the tip of the switch off. It's an old house and an old switch.

Should have mentioned this in the first post. Replace the switch(es).

[Irving]

I pulled it out, pushed on some stuff, and it is working now. I figured I'll pick up a new switch next time I'm at Home Depot and replace it then. I've never seen a box so full of wires before though. I have no idea what's going on in there.