How To Repair Light Switch In Singapore?

Every home in Singapore is connected with electricity. We need electricity to perform our daily activities. However, do you know that wiring issues and other electrical problems are some of the most common contributors to home fires? Ignorance to electrical issues will lead to hazardous consequence.

One of the most common electrical problems in Singapore is the malfunction of a light switch. A faulty light switch can be a real annoyance around the house or at the office, and it often seems like too much of a minor job to bother with calling out an electrician. When a switch is broken, it either does not carry out its function properly, or may be dangerous to use

However, not all light switch problems will need the services of a licensed electrical services provider such as Winway Home Services. In this article we consider some common light switch issues that homeowners will encounter, as well as the solutions to each problem.

1. Mechanism Broken or Damaged

A light switch is a mechanical device made up of a plastic toggle on the outside and a rocking lever on the inside that operates one or multiple spring-loaded contactors, making it possible to establish an electrical connection, or to cut it off. The toggle inside the light switch can fail – this means that no matter how many times you try and switch it on or off, it simply won’t work. If this is the cause why your light is not lit on, you need to replace the entire light switch fixture.

Before u take down the old switch and install a new one, need to make sure you write down exactly how the old switch was wired before you disconnect it, and wire the new switch in the same way.

2. Hot or Buzzing Switch

If you hear a buzzing or frying noise, or detect the scent of ozone, or the switch is hot to the touch, even if your light switch is technically still working, you could have a fire hazard.

Address the problem as soon as you can. A loose wire or overloaded breaker usually causes this. Turn off the light switch, flip the breaker to the OFF position or remove the fuse for the switch, and call an electrician.

3. Fixture Issue

Another possible root cause of a light switch problem is the light fixture itself. It often results in flickering light. A wire getting loose in a terminal screw or in a wire connector at the switch could cause the flicker. Another reason is a corroded contactor inside the switch.

Depending on the light fixture design, the hot contact plate at the center of the light socket usually springs back out when removing a light bulb, it may have lost its stiffness and does not make a positive contact with the end of the light bulb, thus leading to flickering lights.

4. Burnt Fuse

You may want to take a look at your circuit breaker before you buy a new light switch from Shopee Singapore. Sometimes, you can replace a fuse and correct the situation. Before you do any work on a switch, make sure power is turned off at the electrical panel.

If you have replaced the burnt out fuse, and you are still having issues, then you have eliminated fuse burnout as a cause. If you have replaced a new fuse yet it burns out again and the circuit breaker keeps tripping, you need to consider upgrading your electrical circuits, as this situation may keep occurring due to an overloaded circuit in the first place.

Steps To Change A Light Switch

If you insist, and are confident in changing a light switch by yourself, you may follow below steps:

1. Turn off the power to the switch at the main service panel or if you’re unsure if you have flicked the correct one off, turn the big red switch to cut all power
2. Remove the light switch from the wall and take a picture of the wiring for when you reattach the new one
3. Unscrew the small screws from the back of the light switch to release the wires
4. Now, reverse the method you took to unscrew the light switch by reattaching the wires in the same configuration as your picture, tighten the small screws and reattach to the wall
5. Flick the power back on at the main service panel and test the light switch

To perform above task, you only need basic tools and do remember to ensure the power is turned off from the outlet to avoid injury. Again, although it sounds simple to just get an entire new switch online and replace it, never take risks with electrical safety. It is best to engage a professional electrician to install a new switch for you for the sake of home safety.

Other than faulty switches, home owners may just simply intend to enhance the appearance of their homes. With the myriad of modern light switches in the market, you can replace your existing traditional or old looking switch anytime, or even alter it to smart switch.

If you are not confident with wiring/replacing/installing switch by yourself, Winway Home Services has a team of professional electricians to help you do it with guaranteed safety. Winway Home Services is able to supply, replace and fix most switches in Singapore. Feel free to contact +65 9734 1593 for enquiry!