Self-help by home owners occurs because Touch-Plate low voltage switches can 'hang.' This leaves you with a CONTINUOUSLY LOADED COIL. They can't take that abuse forever and burn out.
( Functionally, the coils operate like mechanically held contactors -- you just bump them to switch state. )
Mr. Homeower dives in and starts crossing over full-voltage switch legs towards still functioning coils. Addressing the stuck low voltage switch is beyond his capability -- now that the coil is burned out.
The next thing you know it's a hair ball.
I spent an embarrassing amount of time un-hair-balling my sister's Touch-Plate. After 42 years, and 'Larry', it really needed help.
