r/electrical

Old light switch not being used making crackling noise after shower. Major safety concerns? Rental apartment

it cost 1 dollar to make i would just diy it at this point

Power is feeding box 1 with an incoming 12-2. Box one feeds switches to sconces, a light fixture, etc, and additionally continues out via a 12-3 to box 2 (power to red and black). In box 2 I took the now 12-3 incoming power to two different switches (black to one switch red to another) for independent switching of a fixture (light and fan).  ((Inside box 2 is also a junction between two 12-3 that enters then Leaves the box.))

The switches then leave on a 12-3 to the fixture box where the wires are fully disconnected, awaiting the fixture install.

The problem:

When either switch is flipped, both wires in box 2  show current (specifically they set my tester off as hot), as if the current is heading out from each switch and is joined somewhere down the line...but down the line is only the fixture box... I'm stumped.

Note: Previously the switches worked to independently power the old light and fan of previous fixture separately, but this thing was old and rusted and I don't want to use it as a control. this was more or less the previous setup. We never noticed one of the thrown switches inadvertently powering both the fan and light simultaneously as the current setup seems to suggest will happen.

I don't see any cuts or exposures, and I can't think of what else to troubleshoot. I'm assuming the problem must be at or ahead of the switches in box two...but idk. Help!

TYIA, social worker by trade.

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