Light switch is hot to the touch!?

Question

Why?

Answer 1

call a repair man, sounds like a bad wire

Answer 2

sounds like you have a bad contact (loose wire), the connection will heat-up and because of the wire expansion, the contact gets worse causing more heat. yes, it can cause a fire. You should turn it off until it can be tightened or the switch can be replaced. Good luck!

Answer 3

a light switch should never get hot...if it is hot there is something very bad wrong.... turn the breaker off that provides power to whatever that switch controls. Call a good electrician and have this checked out immediately.

Answer 4

If it is a dimmer switch some heat is normal ....Other wise refer to the answers above!!!!

Answer 5

Shut off power to the switch and call an electrician. This should not happen unless you have an appliance like an air conditioner plugged onto a receptacle that the switch controls and even then it should not get hot to the touch. The switch must be rated for the amperage is pulling.

Answer 6

Turn it off and leave it off until you get an electrician or someone who knows what they're doing to replace it.  The switch has gone bad.  Could it start a fire?  Possibly - not worth running the risk to find out.

Replace it and you'll be good as new.

Answer 7

It is hot ecause of increased resistance across the contacts. This is a certain indication that the unit is failing. It needs to be replaced. Even if it is a dimmer switch, it should not get hot unless the lights are dimmed all of the time. Even then it should get warm not hot.

  Replace the unit.

Answer 8

Not really enough info to your question...Is it a dimmer switch?Is it a new installation?Has the breaker or wiring been changed recently?What is the switch used for?I'd like to help ya but...........