High pitched noise from light switch

[twobobsworth]

All of a sudden our lounge room light switch is making a very high pitched noise.

Initially we thought we had left a tap on somewhere, but after sniffing around both inside and out, we tracked it down to the lounge room light switch.

It controls 4 lights. I turned off the lights at the mains but it makes no difference.

Anyone know what could be causing it? Just don't want a BBQ tonight before we can get a sparky tomorrow.

 

[handyandy]

My guess would be that it is arcing.

Turn the main light circuit breaker of before retiring. (just have a torch handy)

Cheers

PS just read that you already turned of the circuit - are you sure?

 

[evand]

My guess is it has a dimmer attached and the electronics in the dimmer are buzzing away, not the switch itself. Its a common problem.

Check if it smells funny or feels warm. Then get a sparkie to replace it.

 

[ianvestor]

My guess is it has a dimmer attached

I was going to guess the same thing. A friend of mine once had a dimmer removed simply because it was too noisy. (music/cinema room)

 

[lizzie]

my parents had dimmer lights and the switches used to hummmm whenever engaged.

either that or you have fried one very angry cockroach

 

[griffiths1971]

The same is happening to me

I have no dimmer lights in my house, and I can only hear it upstairs, but it is keeping me awake at night & giving me headaches also, any idea what's causing it?

 

[willair]

I have no dimmer lights in my house, and I can only hear it upstairs, but it is keeping me awake at night & giving me headaches also, any idea what's causing it?

Had the same problem a while back in a rental, when the sparky came out to have a look he found a ants nest in the switch,have someone have alook at the switch..imho..