You have a loose connection inside the switch box.

Plates should never get hot.

If you can turn the breaker off to the lights and get it fixed.

One of the screws that hold the wire to the switch has gotten lose. The increased resistance is heating the switch. A four-gang switch probably has a rats nest of wires stuffed in there. House wiring is solid copper and is a pain in the rear end to bend around to fit the switches correctly.

I would be safe and just replace all four switches. They are about $4.00 each at Lowes. If you are not up to re-wiring a switch box, have an electrician do it. It is way cheaper than setting the house on fire.

If you do replace the switches, remember to shut the breaker.
If you're not comfortable, get a handyman who knows this stuff.
One more thought: is the plate hot when the switches are off? If yes, turn the breaker off ASAP.
There's even more wrong with the switch if it's heating up when it's closed (off).
If it's cooling when off, it's likely what the other 2 folks said.

try 1 at a time, which would identify which switch is heating, and perhaps eliminate the others .. you'd have to be patient as it may take some time to heat up

then get the handyperson to replace it

✌🏼

I will call an electrician.

I lied.

I will have DH call an electrician.

(DH thinks its the dimmer switches. Which is one of many reasons why I didn't even suggest trying to fix it ourselves. He's wonderful but not mechanically inclined.)

I'm setting up a couple of lamps as I'm kinda on a roll here.

Home owner supply dimmer switches used to be notoriously under rated, and it very easy to overload them with amperage, causing heat. Fortunately, today's switches are better, but they cost a whole bunch more more.

Too bad an idiot like me doesn't live next door because we'd do it for free, only, we would insist on installing 'conventional' switches, and throw in a new strike plate for free. That's just how we roll.

this was a very expensive remodeling by a reputable and very expensive company.

But it was a few years ago. like 20 years ago.

One of the switches does heat up way more than the other three but wouldn't you know it powers the most lights (cans) and it is really the ones I need. Sewing by lamp light is not great. Works during the day but I'm a night owl. Maybe tomorrow.

Just call an electrician or handyman and ask them to replace, it unless you are handy enough to do so-Or know someone that has the knowledge.

Something you should look to do ASAP if you are going to continue working there and needing the light(s).


On edit: just saw the post re: those being dimmers. I've had the same thing happen. Replacing it/them will fix it I'm sure.