Melting Light Switch

[jasta]

Hi, I have a two way two gang light switch on my hall (brushed chrome with white switches in case this may be relevant). This switch controls my upstairs and downstairs hall lights. The upstairs light is a single pendant with an energy bulb in and is forking fine but the downstairs light is a tripl light with three 40w ses golf ball bulbs and I am having to replace the switch due to a fault on this rocker every 3 to six months because the glue holding the rocker in place is melting causing the actual rocker switch to fall off. The other rocker has never come loose.

The first couple of times I assumed it was just a poor quality switch but now it has happened again I am assuming the switch is getting hot (although not to the touch) causing the problem, maybe due to a wiring fault (although I am sure all wires are well connected).

The light in question is only used for short bursts (putting coats on / answering the door etc) as the lower hall is only small. I have no problems of any description with any of my other lights.

I am a fairly competent DIYer but cannot find any reference to a fault like this anywhere on the web so don't know where to start. Can anybody help please?

 

[Steve3948]

Same make of switch replaced like for like.

What make is it ?

 

[Marvo]

Burned terminations are nearly always caused by a poor contact in the screw terminal. 

 

[ProDave]

If the switch keeps on failing in the SAME way, it must point to it being a rubbish switch.

Replace with a DIFFERENT make and different design of switch.

As above, make sure all terminals are tight.

P.S (pet hate time) There is no such thing as an "energy" bulb.  ALL bulbs use a certain amount of "energy"

I presume you mean "LOW Energy" but without stating it, you could be referring to a 1KW high energy bulb.

(rant over)

 

[Bruspark]

Assuming the glue is hot melt type then the switch is getting hot, as others have said extreme overload (not from what you've said) or loose connections (possible) would cause heating. As you say you've changed the switches I assume they were tightened when you did this. That leaves rubbish switches - I've not come across any good makes that are glued together -i worry it is actually melted plastic- so I would suggest investing in a similar looking /type of 2way switch from a reputable trade electrical outlet and trying again.

NB I assume the switches are wired correctly as you have not mentioned any sparks or fuse tripping associated with the melting

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

A pic would be good. One of the Hamilton range has a s/steel or brass insert stuck on the rocker switch. Even if it is that it seems strange only the one is affected.

Maybe whilst the man  was assembling the switches, he was eating his sweet & sour chicken with that hand so it put grease only on that rocker.