Switch Flashing

[Darkness]

I got a new kitchen fitted and new sockets/switches replaced with new one's.

Nearly 90% of the time when I switch on/off the Immersion Heater switch, I see the yellow'ey flash of light/spark behind the switch.

What do you think the problem might be, cheap/dodgy water heater switch perhaps?

 

[plugwash]

its a heavy load being switched on some sparking is natural wether you see it depends mainly on the lighting conditions

is the switch in a dark corner?
some sparkys after getting complaints about this from clients have ended up using 45A shower switches to avoid the problem

 

[Darkness]

The old switch was fine without a flash and it was in a dark corner but after a new kitchen layout, alot more light gets into the kitchen especially this corner.

As long as it something I shouldn't worry about? then I'll leave it at be.

Just checking encase something wasn't right.

 

[Damocles]

Whenever you interrupt current flowing you will get a spark. Switches are designed to cope with this miniature lightning burning away the metalwork every time you switch off. Whether you can see it depends on the design.

Or possibly there is a bad connection rattling about and making showers of sparks each time you move the switch.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

As long as it something I shouldn't worry about? then I'll leave it at be.

Just checking encase something wasn't right.

I think you are right to be concerned - there might be something wrong.

What rating is the switch controlling the immersion heater? What make? Did you supply or fit it, or was it done by the kitchen company?

BTW - immersion heater in the kitchen??

 

[kai]

You could use a MK 13amp Fuse Connection Unit instead of the Switch
(Catalogue Number K330WHI), for a 3kw immersion heater , much safer.

Photo of my installation attached.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Good grief that's ugly!

What a terrible advertisment for the quality of your work!!

Try one of these:

Why are the flexes all discoloured, BTW?

 

[kai]

They were just replacements for two damaged existing unfused switches, that were arcing on switching operation, just like the original author's.

Staining is just the general dirt build up on the area, nothing too bad.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They were just replacements for two damaged existing unfused switches, that were arcing on switching operation, just like the original author's.

Switches shouldn't arc badly, and if they do, it's because they aren't properly rated, not because they don't have fuses.

Staining is just the general dirt build up on the area, nothing too bad.

OK.

But the labelling of the FCUs is still pretty dodgy...

 

[securespark]

WOT?NO BUTYL?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They were just replacements for two damaged existing unfused switches, that were arcing on switching operation, just like the original author's.

Staining is just the general dirt build up on the area, nothing too bad.

Here, look - you might even be able to get one cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41499&item=3853375609&rd=1

 

[plugwash]

hta switch isn't right for the setup he has

its a double pole on off and a single pole changeover

the setup pictured appears to be off peak which would need two seperate DP on off switches

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You could well be right...

 

[securespark]

Nearly 90% of the time

Can't you be a bit more precise, Darkness???