Is it just me, or have others been having trouble with three way switches of late?
In the last year or so, I have had several call backs to replace Leviton 3-way switches. The symptom is the “sizzle of death” – get a call that the lights are flickering and the switch is “sizzling”.
The last one had been installed for about 9 months. Nothing unsual about the install, no excessive use of the switch, etc.
I’m wondering if I need to start buying a different brand.
Replies
had issues with the illuminated ones, illumination was irratic, traced it back to CFLs on that line ..
Funny you should mention it. I just replaced one in my house with exactly the symptoms you described. It was only about 1 year old.
I've put those in and had the casing break in my hand when tightening the wire down.
Next time I do 3ways I'm opting for a different manufacturer.
Peach full,
easy feelin'.
aren't offshore products just the greatest???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
What grade switch are they?
The last time I used any 4-way's the only version available where commerical (IIRC) and cost about $8.
While the 3-ways must have been residential grade,
I just checked online. Lowes has Cooper.
That they have 3-way residential at 10 for $9.90 (probably 1.19-1.29 each).
Commercial grades are $5.23
Also a "commercial grade" for $4.17.
I suspect that the latter might be spec grade. Lowes is not too accurate on their "grades" for wiring devices.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
get away from resi grade they are either made in China or just plain counterfeit..
regardless of the brand
look for Made in the USA.
start buying from a supply house instead of the big boxes
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I'm not an electrician, I'm a contractor, but our electrician's have been having trouble with 3 way switches. Had to replace a whole house worth last spring. Also have had to call them back to some other jobs with bad three ways. Seems to me the symptom was that one of the lights would only go on if the switch was in midway position---halfway between off and on. I believe they were Leviton, bought from his supplier, not a big box.
wunder if counterfits made it into the system....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
wunder if counterfits made it into the system....
Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference :-)
I got curious, so I pulled one apart. It appears to me that, on this one at least, the grease used to lubricate the plastic moving parts of the switch was applied too heavily. Over time, it dripped and wicked its way down to the contact points and coated them with grease. There was a slight amount of arc damage, but I suspect the "sizzle" was the grease frying off.
I thought at the time that the smell was a little "off" - not just an ozone smell. Sorta smelled like burning grease, in retrospect....