In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:57:35 -0700 (PDT), Marilyn
Manson wrote:

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 10:21:07 AM UTC-4, Wade Garrett wrote:
A couple of years ago, I replaced a pair of little-used (and only during
the summer) standard 20 amp Leviton 3-way toggle light switches
controlling a Hunter Original ceiling fan because at least one of the
switches had failed.

I installed the same then-current model Levitons and everything worked
fine for a few years. And don't you know, at least one of them has just
now failed!

The original switches and the fan were installed during a room addition
construction project by a licensed electrician hired by the general
contractor whom we've used for years and does very good work.

What are the chances of this being just a random second switch failure
vs. needing to get an electrician out to check it over?


For the price of a switch vs. an electrician, I'd give at least one more switch
a try -

Absolutely. $3 vs. $100, plus it's not even easier to call an
electrician. You have be there up to half a day waiting for him. It's
easier to buy one and put it in when you have 10 spare minutes.

and I'm as anal as they come about finding the root cause.

I've had problems with various Leviton devices, including exhaust fan humidistat
switches and smart dimmer plugs. Granted, those devices are a bit more complicated
than a 3-way switch, but if the company quality control issues, it could be product-line
wide.

I don't think anything electrical has broken in the 38 years I've been
here. Except the flood light fixture on the side of the house, 2 or
maybe 3 of them, in sequence, and the outside front door fixture, but
it's got photocell control and that's the source of the problem for both
that failed. No switches have failed.