How to Wire a Wall Switch

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Electric wall switches last a long time. Still, you will want to replace a switch when it wears out, in part, because it presents a fire hazard. Another reason to change out the switch is appearances; you may want to change the size, color, or style of the switch. As with all things electrical, safety is a real issue, so you need to know how to wire a wall switch safely, securely, and easily.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Wall

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    • Common applications include ceiling or hallway light switches, a cellar or attic light, a ceiling fan or chandelier, or an outdoor patio light.
    • A single-pole wall switch usually has a lever or toggle that completes the circuit when it is flipped up to turn a light, device, or appliance on.
    • When the toggle is flipped down, the circuit is broken, and the power goes off.
    • Single-pole switches have 2 brass terminal screws on the side, and newly purchased switches usually have a ground wire.
  2. [1]
    • Locate your circuit breaker box and the circuit breaker specific to the switch to be wired.
    • Turn off that circuit breaker.
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    • Remove the faceplate from the switch with a screwdriver.
    • Touch a non-contact voltage detector near each of the 2 screw terminals.
    • If the voltage detector lights, electricity is still on, and you are at risk, so return to the circuit breaker to determine if it is off and/or if it is the correct circuit breaker.
    • If the voltage detector does not light, the electricity is off, and you can proceed.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Installing a Wall Switch

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    • Measure the height, width, and depth of the electrical box in place to determine if your new light switch will fit.
    • Keep the wires separate; the wire from the top terminal should be positioned differently from the wire from the bottom terminal.
    • Use needle-nose pliers to shape a loop at end of each wire.
    • Place loops over terminals and tighten terminal screws with screwdriver.
    • Attach the ground wire to the ground post in the box.
    • Clip a grounding clip to the bottom edge of the box if there is no grounding post.
    • Try to fold the wires like an accordion to avoid crowding.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Does it matter which wire goes where on a light switch?
    Daniel Stoescu
    Master Electrician
    Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs.
    Daniel Stoescu
    Master Electrician
    Expert Answer
    Yes! You should always identify the wires to know which one is the power supply and which one is the switch leg going to the light. If you have any questions, contact a licensed electrician to avoid problems.
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      Tips

      • Once you turn off circuit breaker, place a piece of electrical tape across the circuit breaker switch as a warning to others in the household who might turn on the switch.
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      Warnings

      • Call an electrician to do the work if the wires are aluminum, silvery gray instead of shiny copper. Aluminum wiring requires trained professional handling.
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      • Turn circuit breakers off and on with one hand; do not let the other hand touch the circuit breaker in case there is not adequate grounding.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Single-pole light switch
      • Flat-end and Phillips head screwdrivers
      • Wire strippers
      • Non-contact voltage detector
      • Electrical tape
      • Tape measure
      • Needle-nose pliers

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      References

      1. ↑ Daniel Stoescu. Master Electrician. Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.
      2. http://www.electrical-online.com/lightsandswitches/

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