Federal Pacific Low Voltage Light Switches

[Mr Rex]

Thank you Mr. Rex.

One other small question,

Anybody guess the life expectancy of wall switches? Nothing mechanical lasts forever as safe, so I was just wondering if there is any "scheduled maintenance" for replacing such things? I think life expectancy of CPVC pipe is like 80 years, I know outlets from the 30s, 40s and 50s had to be replaced because they were made for 2 even pronged wires, and the current wires have one larger prong, so that kind of forced replacements. But was just wondering how old switches can be before they start to fail and might become unsafe.


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I see homes built in the late 60s (when grounding became standard w/3 prong outlets etc) with the original switches that still work. so 40+ years. Not uncommon to see original 2 wire switches in homes built in the 20's still working. On the other hand, some may "go bad" after only a few years. Typically its the contacts that are damaged from the arcing when the switch is thrown and a load applied. Fluorescent lighting is harder on switches than incandescent due to a higher "inrush" current. Another failure problem is using the "back stab" feature, sticking the wire in the provided holes in the back of the switch rather than installing under the screws. Over time the wire becomes loose in the back stab as the metal that keeps tension on the wire fatigues and is damaged by arcing etc. Most professional electricians will not use the "back stab" method for that reason.

 

[Meandering]

I see homes built in the late 60s (when grounding became standard w/3 prong outlets etc) with the original switches that still work. so 40+ years. Not uncommon to see original 2 wire switches in homes built in the 20's still working. On the other hand, some may "go bad" after only a few years. Typically its the contacts that are damaged from the arcing when the switch is thrown and a load applied. Fluorescent lighting is harder on switches than incandescent due to a higher "inrush" current. Another failure problem is using the "back stab" feature, sticking the wire in the provided holes in the back of the switch rather than installing under the screws. Over time the wire becomes loose in the back stab as the metal that keeps tension on the wire fatigues and is damaged by arcing etc. Most professional electricians will not use the "back stab" method for that reason.

Thank you.

I knew about the back stab on outlets. Lived through enough of that. So I can remove my call to replace the existing switches and just state they are older than typical.

This has been a big help.

Thank you kindly.


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[Ken B]

Sometimes we have a thread which is actually useful. Thanks for the info Rex.

 

[Sid Holderly]

Low voltage switches on homes had a little spurt here in the early 1960's. They work fine just hard to find parts/replacements for. The Federal Pacific problems were reported to be in the main breaker panel and circuit breakers. Most of those are replaced as homes are sold, still plenty of them in this area.