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Repair a Light Switch - PEP BB electricity.sand.repairswitch

BB electricity - sand badge
posted 5 years ago
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This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Electricity.

In this Badge Bit, you will repair a light switch.



Some related articles
  - Change a Single Pole Switch
  - Replace a Double Light Switch
  - Replace a Three Way Light Switch
  - Replace a Dimmer Switch
  - 3 Ways to Replace a Light Switch













To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
  - repair a light switch

To show you've completed this Badge Bit, you must provide:
   - a before pic of light switch not working - complete with a description of how it is not working
   - a picture during the light switch repair
   - an after picture action shot of the light switch working
   - OR post a 2 minute video of you showing it not working, repairing the light switch, and it working
COMMENTS:
 
Erik Pehoviack
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Location: Hemingford Nebraska
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posted 4 years ago
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Approved submission
This BB is a first part to my Straw Badge, it is 1/2 point from uncompleted Sand Badge bits.



This is the offending inoperable light switch after power has been disconnected and it has been pulled from the box. It is a light duty 15A 3 way unit that wasn't meant to last.



After removing the switch I clipped the old loops and made new as pictured below.



Stripping the wires.



Making the loops with a needle nose pliers.



Notice the loops go on the screws with their orientation to squeeze shut as the screw is tightened and are also coated with a bit of dielectric grease.



Finished light switch in operation. The fan is operated by pull switch.

The original post can be seen here.
Staff note (Mike Barkley) :

I certify this BB is complete.

 
Pierre Michael
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posted 3 years ago
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Approved submission
Repaired a lightswitch. Take a look at my 1min video of it.



Staff note (gir bot) :

Mike Haasl approved this submission.
Note: Nice job being able to repair it vs replace!

 
Opalyn Rose
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posted 3 years ago
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Approved submission
Here is my submission for the Electricity - Sand - Repair/Replace Light Switch BB.

To document the completion of the BB, I have provided the following:
  - a before pic of the light switch not working - complete with a description of how it is not working
  - a picture during the light switch repair
  - an after picture action shot of the light switch working

This switch "rebounds." It will turn the light on for a split-second then rebound to the center opening the circuit (turning the light off).  The light switch no longer "flips" the light on and is annoying.  This switch was painted to match over a decade ago so it is not a fresh paint job causing the problem.  It is also original to the house (~50 yo) so I decided to replace it with a new white switch to match the new timer I installed recently.


IMG_5316.jpg
the blue switch in the rebounded posiition
the blue switch in the rebounded posiition
IMG_5321.jpg
removing the old switch
removing the old switch
IMG_5323.jpg
installing new with wires going around the screw in a clockwise direction
installing new with wires going around the screw in a clockwise direction
IMG_5327.jpg
reinstalled
reinstalled
IMG_5331.jpg
Finished - light is on and shadow is from overhead lamp instead of flash
Finished - light is on and shadow is from overhead lamp instead of flash
IMG_5568.jpg
light and switch
light and switch

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Staff note (gir bot) :

jordan barton approved this submission.

 
J Crozier
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posted 3 years ago
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I have a light switch that tends to not stay up when flicked on, so it was due for replacement.
Old.jpg
The old switch not staying up.
The old switch not staying up.
Removed.jpg
The old switch removed
The old switch removed
Replaced.jpg
The fancy new switch added.
The fancy new switch added.
Done.jpg
All done.
All done.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

Staff note (gir bot) :

Mike Haasl approved this submission.

 
Brandon Gladefield
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posted 3 years ago
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Approved submission
Did this job as a favour to a friend that works in a nursing/disability home. The tenants there can be quite aggressive with operating the switch so it gets very easily bashed with how small it is. The constant abuse has now dislodged the actual switch from the mechanism that operates it.
20211119_160616.jpg
A very obviously smashed switch mechanism
A very obviously smashed switch mechanism
20211119_160640.jpg
Mid way through removal
Mid way through removal
20211119_160707.jpg
Gone
Gone
20211119_160820.jpg
Putting in the new one
Putting in the new one
20211119_160913.jpg
New switch installed
New switch installed
20211119_161425.jpg
A happy fluoro light
A happy fluoro light

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. - Job 1:21

Staff note (gir bot) :

Mike Barkley approved this submission.

 
Kyle Knight
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posted 2 years ago
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Submission flagged incomplete
This light switch in my bathroom only stayed on when it was like 90% up.  It powered an outlet as well as a light, and was behind a door.  So I bought a new switch, GFC outlet and a box and installed them.  Check it out.
20220507_093648.jpg
old and nasty
old and nasty
20220507_142735.jpg
new hotness
new hotness
20220507_151327.jpg
all buttoned up
all buttoned up

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Staff note :

Kyle, Could you add a photo of the light working since it is a light switch repair?

Staff note (gir bot) :

Someone flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: Please complete documentation requirements.  Show light switch working = light is on

 
Kyle Knight
pollinator
Posts: 258
Location: Pacific Northwest
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posted 2 years ago
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Approved submission
On and off
20220519_121020.jpg
[Thumbnail for 20220519_121020.jpg]
20220519_121028.jpg
[Thumbnail for 20220519_121028.jpg]

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Staff note (gir bot) :

Someone flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: Needs to include a pic during repair.

Staff note (gir bot) :

Someone approved this submission.
Note: Didn't notice the previous pix. I think a wire nut & insulation for the ground wire would be good but this meets the listed BB requirements.

 
Alexandra Malecki
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posted 2 years ago
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Approved submission
The middle switch never worked with anything when we bought the house. I suspected that it should be tied to the room light so I inspected the light switch on the opposite entryway to confirm.  I confirmed that the opposite wall light switch was a double pole so I figured that it was highly likely for the middle switch to be tied to the light switch in the room -- which would make sense to me. I first inspected the switch and didn't find that the wires weren't connected and there was no sign of arcing or other damage so I proceeded to replace the unit. The left switch goes to outdoor lighting, the middle to the room lighting (confirmed!), and the right switch goes to a flood light (that's also a double pole).  I'm glad to have restored the functionality and upgrade the look too!
before_switch-on-but-no-light.jpg
[Thumbnail for before_switch-on-but-no-light.jpg]
inspecting-for-issues.jpg
[Thumbnail for inspecting-for-issues.jpg]
switch-replacement.jpg
[Thumbnail for switch-replacement.jpg]
light-works.jpg
[Thumbnail for light-works.jpg]
light-works_with-the-light-in-view.jpg
[Thumbnail for light-works_with-the-light-in-view.jpg]

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks” -John Muir

Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes approved this submission.
Note: I certify this BB complete. Great explanation Alexandra

 
Brian Vause
Posts: 56
Location: Florida Panhandle
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posted 1 year ago
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Approved submission
I replaced a bathroom fan switch today (I hope that this qualifies since it is the same exact process) The switch was technically still working but falling apart inside and becoming unsafe.

Please listen at the end of the video for the fan coming on.

BD3354C3-FE57-49DD-8A24-899503B7FFC7.jpeg
Before
Before
285B32B1-6B61-41DB-8C80-170F987B3CBA.jpeg
50 yard line
50 yard line
D2FF48E9-4994-40D0-9D62-BD48132F8109.jpeg
Almost there…
Almost there…
8ABF9D0D-C987-448B-A09B-C7BE998A2B44.jpeg
Finished!
Finished!

Treat others as you want to be treated. - JC

Staff note (gir bot) :

Someone flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: Please include the required pic of the light now working.

Staff note (gir bot) :

Someone approved this submission.

 
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