Pilot light switch intermittent operation

I am now on my second pilot light switch. The switch operates correctly when first intalled(switch on, pilot light on). However, after a month or two, the pilot light will sometimes not light right away when the switch is turned on, but will usually come on after a second or two. The first switch had the same problem, so I replaced it thinking it was defective.

This is a single pole 15 amp circuit controlling the garage lights. I did run a common wire to the switch for the pilot light.

What could be causing this issue? FYI, this particular switch has the pilot light in the toggle itself, rather than a separate light. Don't know if this makes any difference.
Thanks

 

Your pilot switch has 3 separate screw terminals, right? Line, load, and neutral. Have you checked the voltage between the three conductors, and to ground? Amp clamped them? I am wondering if the pilot might be carrying a lot of unbalanced load or something like that.

What is the switch manufacturer and model#?

 

By "common wire" your are referring to the neutral, correct?

 

As asked already do you mean neutral? If so how. If it wasn't as part of a three conductor cable it might be a code violation. It could also be your problem so tell us how you ran it.

 

Thanks for all your replys. The switch in question is a Leviton 1201-PLG. When I said "common", I was referring to the neutral line. I did run it to the switch from the light fixture using a 3 conductor romex cable. Someone asked if I had "amp clamped", I don't know what that means, could you explain further?

Again, thanks for your help

 

It means used a clamp on amp meter (AKA Amprobe) to determine the amps used.

 

Can you tell us the connections you made to the switch and the wire and screw colors involved?

 

I have a few of those myself and I've never had a problem with them. The pilot lamp is connected across the load terminal and the neutral. The load is, of course, connected between the load terminal and the neutral.

What happens if you leave the hot conductor in place but disconnect the load conductor? Does the pilot lamp illuminate?

Under "Support" click on "Wiring Diagram":
1201-PLR > Toggle > AC Switches > Electrical Wiring Devices > Products from Leviton Electrical and Electronic Products

 

For a pilot light switch (toggle illuminated when switch is on) it should still light up even if the load wire is disconnected (and the hot feed and neutral still connected).

For a night light switch (toggle illuminated when switch is off) it should not light up if the load is disconnected.