Find tips for fixing a stuck low voltage switch in common lighting systems in older homes
After decades of use, your low voltage light switch can become stuck ON or stuck OFF, making it difficult to turn your lights on and off. You may hear a buzzing noise coming from the relay, or no "clicking" noise at all, when you press your switch.
The easiest way to diagnose whether it is a problem with your relay or your switch is to grab a switch that is working somewhere else in your home. Take that working switch and rewire it in the location that is having the problem. If the working switch still works fine in the problem area, then you know that it is a problem with the switch that was previously wired there. (Alternately, if you are comfortable doing so, you can quickly tap the ON wire to the common, then the OFF wire to the common to see if that works in 3-wire systems; in 2-wire systems, tap the ON/OFF wire to the common. Do not maintain contact between the wires.)
However, if the working switch is no longer working when wired in the problem area, then you know it is an issue with the relay. This general method works for all low voltage systems, whether your home is wired for GE Low Voltage, Remcon Low Voltage, Bryant Low Voltage, Touch Plate Low Voltage or another older lo vo lighting system. Note that if all the lights are out, then most likely the issue is a broken transformer or transverter.
NOTE: If you have GE or Bryant brand relays, a stuck switch can be caused if new switches have been jammed into old mounting straps. Learn more - read Troubleshooting Your GE or Bryant System.
Here at Kyle Switch Plates, we specialize in replacement parts for low voltage lighting systems so we can help you get your lights back on!