How to avoid burning of switches in our flats

I have been thinking of sharing my views on the above for quite some time…

Now thought this is the right time to share, after seeing the fire in pillar box of transformer catering power to U and V block .

Many of us would have already come across such burning of switches in our flats and “put the blame on the quality of switches without going into the root cause”.

How are the wires connected? What happens in due course of time?

When a new wire is connected to a switch, the conductor and insulation of the wire on top of the wire are hard.
In due course of using these wired become soft because of heat due to the current passing as per the load connected.

We must understand that when the wires are new and hard, the screws tightening them have limitations in pressing them.
In due course, because of heat generated in the wire by the current passing through them, they become soft and so also their insulations.

Now after one or two years the screw holding is just tight on cables and slowly a spark start connecting them.. and if we do not take action at this point the arcing becomes more and slowly heats the terminal and the insulation.

What is Arcing ?

Arcing, also called “electrical arcing” occurs when an electric current flows through the air, from one conductive point to another. … The heat and light energy emitted by the arcing current is called an “arc energy” .

The screws tightening becomes very tight over a time period and one can not screw or unscrew and the heat generated is so much that it starts Arcing , more so due to Summer Heat.

Arcing occurs when wires don’t make a strong connection with terminals inside the switch plate. When you turn on the switch, sparks can ignite the plastic switch plate, resulting in smoking, melting, and burning. If you see sparks coming out of your light switch, turn off the power and call an electrician immediately.

Remedies

Call an electrician at least once a year and tighten all wire joints connecting the switch terminals, in your entire flat.

Good Luck