Electrical weirdness ~ buzzing lightswitch ~ **UPDATED** More Weirdness!

[Murpheeee]

Okay, two days ago when I went to turn on my outdoor porch light the bulb started flickering and dimming and I heard a low buzzing noise......I thought the bulb was about to blow - which surprised me as its one of those 10 year low energy ones.

This went on for a while, I tried switching it on and of a couple of times - same thing happened - bulb flickering dimly and teh buzzing. Eventually I just switched it off to be safe. Tried it again a few times over teh next day or so and same thing was happening.

I lifted the switch cover (where buzzing was coming from) to see if there was a loose connection or anything obvious.....but no.

Then tonight I go to test it again....and its working perfectly....weird.

Obviously there was a problem, which has not been fixed.........anyone have any ideas?

 

[ObiDon]

Was the buzzing coming from the area of the bulb or the switch?
If it was coming from the buld there might be corrosion in the socket or the bulb might just be a little loose.
If it was coming from the switch it's probably dirty/corroded inside the housing. I don't know if it's something that you can clean yourself but it should be pretty easy to replace as long as you remember to turn off the circuit breaker.

 

[MichaelD]

If the switch is buzzing, the contacts inside are loose/corroded and are now posing a fire hazard. Don't use that switch until it's replaced. A side note: the way you describe it, it sounds like a typical "ON/OFF" flip-switch. They aren't supposed to make any noise. A rotary dimmer on the other hand, IS supposed to buzz.

 

[Murpheeee]

yeah its the switch thats buzzing and its a regular flip switch

I guess its safer just to buy a new switch right?

 

[Murpheeee]

Well I replaced the switch this morning...all seems to be well with that now.

BUT.......more weirdness......

seems that ever since I did that, my outdoor motion detection floodlight stays on permanently.
It does not even have an override switch... normally it comes on for 10 mins when it senses movement then goes off....also it never comes on during the day.

Since I did that work this morning it will not go off.

All I did was switch off the breaker, take out old switch, wire up new one, switch on breaker.

Any thoughts on this one?

 

[MichaelD]

Easy. The motion detector part of the light is broken. You use the switch to supply or cut power to the motion-controlled light, correct? Right.

So, now that you've fixed the "supply" end of things, there's still a problem. The problem is on teh "demand" end of things. The motion light is busted. Temporarily disconnect the motion light and hook up a regular bulb and check to make sure it indeed goes ON/OFF w/the switch.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

michaelD is right I bet.

the motion sensor and light are likely fed with the same line.... You should take the switch you replace, back apart, double check your connections, look for loose wires etc....

 

[Murpheeee]

no sorry...I should have made this more clear

The switch problem was on the porch light
the motion is a completely separate light above the garage - don't think they are even on the same circuit.

The motion light does not seem to have its own switch.

 

[Cyberian]

Try recycling the breaker that the motion detector is on very quickly.
If that doesn't do it, then shut the breaker off for a full minute and then turn it back on.

 

[rival]

If that doesn't do it, then shut the breaker off for a full minute and then turn it back on.

what the hells that going to do?

 

[Krakerjak]

Motion sensor lights usually reset if you cut the power to them, try flipping the breaker again.
If the light goes on for about 1 sec and then goes off, it should be back in sensor mode.

 

[db]

Is your wire to the switch aluminum or copper?

*If* it's aluminum, problems are not uncommon with the connection between wire and terminal because of thermal expansion and/or corrosion.
The switch must be rated for aluminum wire, or you must pigtail in a copper wire with an approved (for aluminum) wire nut if you want to use a regular (copper wire only) switch.

AFA the motion detector, they do go bad, but they often also have a sequence wher you quickly switch the power a certain # of times and the light will stay on. Try to find your instructions or just switch the power source several times to see if that makes a difference...

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: rival

If that doesn't do it, then shut the breaker off for a full minute and then turn it back on.

what the hells that going to do?

My motion sensor can be put into "always on" mode by either a quick off-on or a delayed off-on. I can't remember which one it is right now and I'm too lazy to go out to the garage and experiment.

 

[Murpheeee]

Originally posted by: Cyberian
Try recycling the breaker that the motion detector is on very quickly.
If that doesn't do it, then shut the breaker off for a full minute and then turn it back on.

We have a winner!
Cool, thanks.

Thankfully all electrical weirdness is over.....for now