Is Your Light Switch Making a Crackling Sound?

The way your light works is it receives energy and electrical current through a continual flow of electricity. When the light switch is ‘on’ the electricity is flowing, and when the light switch is ‘off’, that flow is interrupted. 

If your light switches are making crackling noises when you turn them on, you are at risk for a fire hazard. There may be loose or bad connections somewhere in your electrical wiring, or there may be a lot of wear and tear on the wires from years of use. Our lighting fixtures are one of the most common things we use in our homes, so it’s no surprise they will need updating at some point. 

If you notice a crackling noise in any of your light switches when you turn them on, it’s probably time to switch the ground light switch. Here’s how to do it…

How to Update a Grounded Light Switch

Replacing a light switch is not the hardest thing to do, but if you aren’t familiar with electrical wiring, you may want to give the team at Mr. Electric of Dallas a call! 

1. Before doing anything, make sure you turn your power off at the breaker box to avoid any injury. Use a voltage tester to ensure everything is off.
2. Grab a screwdriver and remove the light switch plate.
3. Remove any screws that are holding the plate to the wall, and gently pull out the faulty switch and see what the current wiring status is.
4. If your switch is older, it will have a loop around the terminal screws. Undo those loops if you have them.
5. If your switch is newer, it may have a wire attached through holes on the backside of the switch. Remove these wires by inserting a small, flat screwdriver and gently pull them loose.
6. Attach the black or red wire to the brass screw or through the holes on the same side of the brass screw
7. Attach the white wire to the silver screws or through the corresponding holes.
8. Attach the green or copper wires to the green screws on the switch or directly to the screw on the electrical box
9. You will want to have at least ½ inch of wire on both your black, red, and white wires. Remove the casing from the wire.
10. Attach the black and red wires to the new switch by twisting the bare wire into a clockwise loop around the brass screw and tightening it. 
11. Follow the previous step with the white wire, attaching it and tightening the silver screw.
12. Once all the wiring is complete, place the switch back onto the electrical box and secure it to the wall.
13. Turn your power back on. If there is no more crackling, attach the switch plate to the wall.