How To Wire And Install A Light Switch

Over the years, many things in your home must be fixed or replaced. The light switches that you use every single day eventually will wear out and you will have to install a new light switch. You can save some time and effort by installing a light switch yourself.

Take Precautions:

Before you begin working on a light switch, you have to go ahead and take same sort of precaution that any electrician would take. There’s enough power in a light switch to seriously injure or even kill you.

• Make certain that the power is off to the light switch you will be installing and wiring.

• If you know what breaker or fuse controls the power to the light switch, then make certain that you either trip the breaker or remove the fuse.

• If you aren’t sure, trip the main breaker or remove the main fuse. This is going to shut down the power to your entire home, but it’s much safer than taking a chance and being electrocuted.

What You Need:

• Light Switch

• Wire Nuts

• Wire Stripper

• Needle Nose Pliers

• Screwdriver Set

• Lineman Pliers

• Electrical Tester

Step 1: Turn off the power.

Step 2: If you’re installing a brand new light switch as a replacement for the old one, unscrew the faceplate and switch from the electrical box.

Step 3: While using electrical tester, test the wires that are going to the existing switch. If you are installing a whole new switch where there wasn’t one before, then test the actual wires that’ll be going to the switch. This ensures the wires are not active. To test the wires, put one probe on the ground wire within the box. Touch the other probe to the wired screw terminals or the end of the black wire that provides the electricity. The tester should not register any voltage.

Step 4: When you are sure that there is no power going to the switch, use a screwdriver to remove the existing switch (if applicable) from the wires.

Step 5: Align the wires that you will be using. With the wire strippers, remove about 1/2 inch of the insulation off the wire ends.

Step 6: Take a look at the circuit. The bare or green grounding wire should be secured to the green grounding screw located on the switch. The switch may have a grounding wire. In this instance, you ought to twist the bare end of this wire with the circuit’s grounding wire. Use lineman pliers to do this and after that a wire nut to fasten it.

Step 7: The “hot” wires are the two black wires. These ought to be secured to the screw terminals on the switch. It doesn’t matter what wire is connected to what terminal. In some cases, the switch could have holes on the back for those wires rather than terminal screws.

Step 8: Now you mount the switch. The wires should be folded behind the switch. Press the switch carefully directly into the box and position it vertically. This can be achieved by adjusting the screws that are in the mounting slots. The switch should be flush on the wall and you can use the break-off portions found on the plaster ears of the switch or special washers to make sure that it is flush.

Step 9: Screw the switch to the box. Then, screw the faceplate on using the included screws that came with the faceplate.

Get help if you require it.

It is very important that you not try to put in and wire a light switch if any part of the process befuddles you. Electric shock and fire are risks that you face if you aren’t able to properly install a light switch. A seasoned electrician can set up and modify any wiring in your house, including light switches, safely and properly. If you aren’t sure where to locate help installing a light switch, contact your electrical company. They may be able to recommend somebody who can help. And that you not try to install and wire a light switch if any part of the process confuses you. Electric shock and fire are risks that you face if you aren’t able to properly install a light switch. An experienced electrician can set up and modify any wiring in your home, including light switches, safely and properly. If you aren’t sure where to find help installing a light switch, contact your electrical company. They may be able to recommend somebody who can help.