Every time you get that pop, it's burning away a little more of the contacts
inside the switch. At some point it'll stop working properly and need to be
replaced. A better grade of switch, like spec grade, or a heavier rated
switch such as a 20 amp, will have more substantial contacts, and will make
a more positive connection, so it will be less likely to make a pop, and
will last longer



"John Ross" wrote in message
ps.com...



"John Ross" wrote in message
ups.com...
This is a switch in a bathroom that turns on a light on the ceiling
and also a fan (actually, the fan is separate from the light and has a
plug that goes into a receptacle next to the fan--1960 squirrel cage
type). So the single switch actualy controls the light and an outlet
for the fan.

For a long time there was an intermittent problem where when you
flipped the switch, it would make a popping sound. I recently had the
switch replaced and asked the electrician if there was any sign of
wires damaged or burned. He said no and replaced the switch.

Well, it is not as loud as it had been at it's worse, but I can still
occassionally hear a slight pop when turning it on. Any ideas on what
would cause this type of thing?

RBM remove this wrote:
When the contacts in the switch touch, the load of the lights and motor
cause an arc inside the switch which can sometimes be audible. You might
want to replace it with a heavier or better grade of switch

So you are saying it is normal under this kind of condition and not a
safety issue? Therefore, putting in "heavier grade" switch is just
optional if it bothers me?
--
John