Failed Leviton switches

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maxburn

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HVAC BAS Controls
I have a bunch of these failed Leviton switches When they fail it's possible they will stick in a position where it's barely making the connection and you can hear arcing and the lights blink. I also found out that LED ballasts don't like that, blew one up recently. I took one apart and it looks like they skimped on the plastic, it's too thin and will break over time.

If I gripe to Leviton whats the chances I can get some replacements? Approx 25 years old. Do these have an expected lifetime?

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ptonsparky said:
Nope, just wore out. I doubt if they all quit at the same time. One switch can be ignored. Five gets to be a constant reminder.
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I’ve replaced every day use switches (kitchen ,etc,) in homes only 10 years old.

I ran into an issue about 5 years ago with P+S residential grade s.p. Switches.

Ended up replacing every switch in one house because so many were acting up.
 
maxburn said:
Not a troll, I was just thinking five of these or more in a little house is a problem.
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As stated above, these are cheap switches. Heck, they are less than $.75 now.
Im happy if they last 15 years.
 
We used some toggles that are momentary On in the up and down positions with center Off. Inputs for PLC controlled bay lighting in a roping arena. The voltage and current is low but they mechanically wear out every couple years. Rather disappointing considering their cost.
 
ptonsparky said:
I've seen the old push button switches that are still working at close to 100 years of age.
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I have too! Just don't make them like they used to I guess. Looking at these it would have taken next to nothing to make it not fail in this manner, just needs to be built up a little in the back end of the lever.
 
I've seen quite a few switches fail.

The most prominent scenario I've seen for multiple failures in a single home has been when a builder told us the wrong color, then would have us swap them. Then someone uninstalled them and took them to a different job and reunstalled them.

About 25 years ago this happened quite a bit at the shop I worked for. It was late 90s and trim paint color was moving toward light beige (very closely matching light almond devices).

It was in that time frame, these bad devices were coming up all over the city and causing all kinds of warranty issues. That company instituted an official policy to never install used materials - and then to define used as having been previously installed. I have kept that same policy.

Additionally, I've done enough remodel work on 20-40 year old houses that I have a standing recommendation of whole house device changes on any house more than 25 years old
 
James L said:
I've seen quite a few switches fail.

The most prominent scenario I've seen for multiple failures in a single home has been when a builder told us the wrong color, then would have us swap them. Then someone uninstalled them and took them to a different job and reunstalled them.

About 25 years ago this happened quite a bit at the shop I worked for. It was late 90s and trim paint color was moving toward light beige (very closely matching light almond devices).

It was in that time frame, these bad devices were coming up all over the city and causing all kinds of warranty issues. That company instituted an official policy to never install used materials - and then to define used as having been previously installed. I have kept that same policy.

Additionally, I've done enough remodel work on 20-40 year old houses that I have a standing recommendation of whole house device changes on any house more than 25 years old
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And that initiate AFCI requirements.
 
Fred B said:
And that initiate AFCI requirements.
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I don't know of any municipality that requires an inspection for device changes.

I don't know of any municipality that enforces arc fault requirement for device changes even where there is an inspection

I don't know of any homeowner that would pay another $1,500 - $2,000 for sketchy "protection"
 
ptonsparky said:
I've seen the old push button switches that are still working at close to 100 years of age.
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Same here and some of the early snap switches. I knew some to be about 60 years old for sure.
I did a basement remodel where customer wanted to keep using an old turn switch from the 1920’s. Wire was in fair shape at the overhead J box. I never disturbed the switch. Left it in place, put a grounding bushing on conduit go box, wired new lights to it with a new home run. Inspector passed it with no question.
 
James L said:
I don't know of any municipality that requires an inspection for device changes.

I don't know of any municipality that enforces arc fault requirement for device changes even where there is an inspection

I don't know of any homeowner that would pay another $1,500 - $2,000 for sketchy "protection"
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Enforcement or not, (not going to touch if they function per design criteria) if there was a fire that was ruled to be electrical in nature, and you knowingly didn't install per code, you would be left holding the bag. And could be held criminally liable, precedence made in Mass.
www.nytimes.com

Electrician Gets 5 Years in Wiring-Fire Death (Published 1990)

www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
Years ago I replace a bunch of switches in a fairly new home. I believe they were Leviton. Every few months the owner would call me back because another switch went bad. I bet there was about 5 trips there then the guy died so I don't know how long it went on.

My bet is that it was a defective batch or the electrician had them as stock in a damp area which may have damage the switches some.
 
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