Green Liquid Seeping from Light Switch

[Chrisgr31]

Not my house, but my elderly neighbours.

They have a green liquid seaping from a couple of light switches. Anyone know what it could be?

[freecar]

Could be moisture that has affected the copper inside or it could be DIOCTYL PHTHALATE cause by mixing copper with aluminium (done for cost purposes years ago) and this reacting with the insulation.

I'd call a spark.

[Simpo Two]

Ectoplasm?


Photo would help.

[VEX]

Does it have a kinda fishie smell to it. Girlfriends (now wife) had this.

Was a loose and bad connection in the wall plate, change the switch to a newer style one and smell went away.

If it is this the it would be well worth getting the rest of the house professional checked out as well.

V.

[normalbloke]

Simpo Two said:

Ectoplasm?


Photo would help.

Best reply by a mile! Love it.

[Chrisgr31]

Unfortunately no photo, I was looking at it in the dark last night. Sparky is on the way, He suggested it was some reaction with the cabling caused due to the cable used in the 1970's. Is coming to look at it this week, Must admit I was slightly checking his diagnosis, not because I dont believe him, but more so I cn reassure the neighbours he is correct, as they are both in their 70s

[Deva Link]

Chrisgr31 said:

He suggested it was some reaction with the cabling caused due to the cable used in the 1970's.

Seems he's probably more or less correct: http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20033

[-Pete-]

Green Death. Call Dr Who immediately...

[Puggit]

As indicated above, copper creates green compounds - most likely copper oxide.

[Soovy]

VEX said:

Does it have a kinda fishie smell to it. Girlfriends (now wife) had this.

Might want an edit there, mate.

[dickymint]

Soovy said:

VEX said:

Does it have a kinda fishie smell to it. Girlfriends (now wife) had this.

Might want an edit there, mate.

There's only two things that smell of fish - and one of them is fish!

[VEX]

Ooppps.

Will leave it in for comedy value though.

V.

[DrDeAtH]

Its the plasticiser leaching out of the cable, as mentioned before it was used in cables during the 1970's. best option is to have the cable replaced, whether it is just that drop or the whole circuit. In the interim, don a pair of latex gloves, and with the power off clean the cable off and replace the switch.
Then get a proper sparks round to sort it.

[m3jappa]

Simpo Two said:

Ectoplasm?


Photo would help.

I instantly thought of that as soon as i saw the title, just looks like you beat me by about 22hrs