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So awhile back the pull switch for the kitchen light stopped working (it's a ceiling fan+light). We just sorta left it on and didn't touch it. After a brief power outage it was off and stayed off. Now though it's making a seriously scary buzzing noise even with no bulb in it. We unscrewed the case over the light and what's buzzing is a black rectangular thing. There's no sizzling or funny smell, however. Is it safe to leave this alone until morning when I can call an electrician?
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Check the fuse, dummy
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>>18123496
The buzzing is the fan motor trying to run but blocked by something. This is not a job for an amateur.
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the black buzzing thing is the switch that is broken. it is neither open nor closed. as long as there was power coming to the switch/relay the switch stayed closed. the power outage drained whatever mechanism used to keep the circuit closed and opened it. since the switch is broken and stuck kind of half way it is unable to close the circuit. overheating in that switch can cause a fire. if you have a wall switch that overrides the ceiling switch and cutting the power from the wall switch silences the buzzing that is fine, else i suggest you remove the fuse for that circuit. the buzzing is caused by a loose connection that is conducting some current. the parts in a switch are not made to handle a loose connection and will overheat.
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