Just flipped your home's water heater switch and saw a small spark? Now you may be wondering if this is due to an electrical wiring fault but wait a minute… what causes this spark?
Why do switches make a spark?
To understand this, let's learn 3 simple things:
1. Electricity likes to travel. It is impatient to travel.
2. A switch is like a door. When it is OFF, the door is closed. When it is ON, the door opens and lets electricity pass.
3. Sometimes, when the door opens, electricity jumps across a tiny gap before the switch closes completely. This makes a small spark.
Why does the spark happen?
When you turn the switch ON, the metal parts inside the switch move towards each other.
For a very short moment, there is still a tiny gap between them.
Electricity is very fast and can jump across this tiny gap.
When it jumps, you see a small flash of light called a spark.
Why do heater switches spark more than other switches?
Water heaters draw a much higher current than many other household electrical appliances.
The higher the wattage of the appliance, the higher the current.
The higher the current, the higher the chance of sparks.
Example:
• Television: 200 watts
• Air conditioner: 1500 watts
• Water heater: 3000 watts
Don't Want to See a Spark?
Sparking may be normal, but not favourable. Here’s why you use a large surface rocker switch:
• Large switch face will hide the spark when it occurs
• Large switch face will last longer
Switch Spark FAQ
What do I do if my heater switch light always sparks?
If your heater switch always sparks, especially if the sparks are larger, you might need a new light switch. An occasional, tiny spark is normal, but if it always happens, contact an electrician.
How do I prevent my switch from sparking?
• Always make sure you flip the switch firmly and fully.
• Make sure your appliance is turned off before flipping the switch.
• Avoid plugging in multiple appliances into the same socket.
Is it safe to fix a sparking heater switch myself?
We do not recommend fixing your heater switch or any switch yourself for your own safety. Contact a professional to fix it for you.
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