Need advice about a wall switch in my house.

[shimmerz]

I personally would not stay there until the electrician comes.

 

[MrMoonlight]

Don't flip any breakers back on and call an electrician for sure. Looks like an old switch, could have failed, wiring can sometimes come loose from fittings or the sheathing of the wire was compromised and it's finding ground. An electrician will look at all that stuff including the 3 way switch to the left of the porch light.

You should be okay. The boxes are rated to take these types of failures

 

[scout86]

I wish I could see the picture better.

If more than one switch isn't working, then it's a safe bet the breaker is off. The other thing is, if you've got circuit breakers, and one is off, it should be flipped the opposite direction from the rest. Personally, I can never remember which way is "off". I just look to see if one isn't like the rest. Unless multiple breakers have flipped....... (Here, I also have fuses. No idea why. I just know it can be a PITA figuring out why something isn't working.)

Stuff like this can definitely happen with older wiring. Sounds like maybe something without insulation is touching something it shouldn't be touching. You're probably safe till tomorrow, at least. (I'd be kind of surprised if the only things on that circuit were two tights. There's probably something else, a wall outlet at least, that also isn't working.)

A fire extinguisher is always good to have on hand! (Read the instructions BEFORE you need it.)

 

[Deleted member 487]

That switch is about 80 years old. That design was common in the 1930's & 1940's. I'd replace all old jacks & switches if I were you. Relatively easy to do, but if you have no experience replaces switches & plugs, then yes wait for the landlord or electrician.

 

[Rumors]

They can short out over years of flipping the toggle. Wires loosen and work their way out and arc. Breaker should kick. I would however ask that your panel box be labeled. It is actually required by your state electrical code.

 

[Neverthesame]

Update: Thanks everyone.
Upstairs lady managed to find an electrician to come in same day. Switch is now replaced. Seems it just got old and shorted out. As it was up to code whenever it was built, the breaker did it's job and tripped. No fire (beyond the switch box that is).

@cactus_jack Not sure exactly how old the house is. Newer than the 30's, old enough to have asbestos pipe insulation. Wall insulation is fibreglass between drywall and 16" studs, not plaster and slats like you would expect from the 30's. Early 60's I think.

@Friday That's good to know. I'd no idea they did that anywhere. Wonder how many fires could be prevented by that becoming common knowledge.

@shimmerz No choice, have to work tonight. (Writing this from there now. House is still there, so it all worked out.

@MrMoonlight Done and done.

@scout86 The breaker switches I have do have an on and off, embossed on the switch itself. There was one in the off position. It's on now.
Probably the breaker in question. A label would be great.
So would a fire extinguisher. Turns out I don't have one. That's a problem I will remedy before the fear wears off from this.
The advice about learning to use it before it's needed is a good one. I saw that exact thing happen at a place I worked at years ago.
Young guy tried getting to the wall extinguisher for a carburetor fire. Haha! Snuffed it out with a rag before he managed to get it ready. Lots of screaming on his part. Lots of laughter on ours.

You're also probably right about the circuit being more than two lights, but nothing was obvious. Didn't think to try every light switch in the building. Tunnel vision had me focusing on the one switch.

@Rumors I'll mention it to the landlord. I'm not sure if labels are required under Alberta provincial law, but not a bad idea all the same.

I'm just glad it's fixed.

 

[Deleted member 487]

If you look at the push switch, you'll see the type of plastic it is. It's Bakelite, one of the first synthetic plastics made. The switch assembly could be from back in the 30's & 40's, but if it wasn't any issues with it when they remodeled, then they reused it. It's the cheap way to go.

What I have seen before is how some plugs and switches have two sets of connectors. The quick & easy "push & plug" or the standard screw-type connector. I found it's always best to check each and every plug in the house/apt. when I rent or buy. I also check for open grounds (GE-SS-500 circuit tester), which tell me the approximate age and skill set of the previous electrician as well as how many extra hard drives and mother boards I'll have to buy. Though I found it's easier and cheaper to buy a 400 watt inverter and run the computer off of a 12VDC car battery and hook it up to a trickle charger when I'm done with the computer.

No, I'm not an electrician. But when you live 2-1/2 hours from the closest licensed electrician, you learn to do things yourself.

 

[Neverthesame]

After a search (hopeful this doesn't narrow down my local too much) won't mention the community name, but it was annexed by the city in 1961. Established in 1967.

If you look at the push switch, you'll see the type of plastic it is. It's Bakelite, one of the first synthetic plastics made. The switch assembly could be from back in the 30's & 40's, but if it wasn't any issues with it when they remodeled, then they reused it. It's the cheap way to go.

I could absolutely see the switch being picked up cheap at a yard sale, or discount bin 40 or so years ago, then used to replace a previous switch.

I could take a few shots of the hack job the previous owner (before the people who do now own the house) did of the garage wiring.
The current owners are slowly bringing everything up to proper as money allows. They're actually good safety minded people. It helps that they live here too. (My problems are their problems. Mutual discomfort is a good motivator. :sneaky:)

Every once in a while something comes up to surprise all of us, with some house part that seemed totally fine untill one day it breaks. Then a real contractor comes along and we all learn what a DIY moron the previous owner was.

Ancient light switch is absolutely in the realm of possibility.
Oh well, it's a brand spanking new one now. ;)

The upstairs people are looking into getting the place checked out and any faulty outlets and switches replaced or rewired, bringing everything up to proper.
They are big on the fire extinguisher idea, and labels for the breaker box.

How could you tell it's bakelite?
I believe you, I just don't know what specifically makes it obvious.

 

[scout86]

I saw that exact thing happen at a place I worked at years ago.

Me too! LOL That's the only reason I thought to mention it.

I'm glad the owners are good people! (I've lived in a lot of old houses, including the current one, where previous owners were both cheap and creative, but not necessarily safety conscious. It's educational, if nothing else. :))

 

[Deleted member 487]

The upstairs people are looking into getting the place checked out and any faulty outlets and switches replaced or rewired, bringing everything up to proper.

I hope they're doing more than just "looking into" that. (insert rolling eyes icon)

How could you tell it's bakelite?

I dunno, just something I've known since I was a kid. Grew up in a small town and remember helping the old timers fix things. Man, the tales I was told, if only I could remember all of them!