How To Change a Light Switch
Changing a light switch is an easy home repair project, but since it involves electricity, it can be very dangerous. Care must be taken with every step and everyone in the home should be told about the project ahead of time so no one accidentally turns on the electricity in the middle of the project. It is a good idea to keep a voltage detector handy to make sure there is no current flowing before you touch any component with your bare hands. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn the switch on and determine which circuit breaker controls the switch and turn it off. In a properly designed circuit panel, the breaker should be clearly labeled, but very few panels are properly designed. You may have to use trial and error. When you switch a circuit breaker off and the light you are changing the switch for goes out, you have found the right breaker.
-
2
Remove the faceplate from the light switch and touch the inside of the switch box with the voltage detector. If no current is present, remove the mounting screws and pull the old switch out of the box.
-
-
3
Identify the wires so they can be properly connected to the new switch. If the home is wired correctly, the black wire is hot, the white wire is neutral and the green or bare copper wire is ground. Loosen the screws and remove the wires from the old switch.
-
4
Snip the ends of the wires and remove enough insulation so that the ends can be wrapped once around the connection screw if necessary. If the tips are in good condition, go ahead and connect them to the switch. The black hot wire is connected to the brass screw, the neutral is connected to the silver screw and the ground is connected to the green screw. Wrap the tip under the head of the screw and tighten. Gently tug the wires to make sure they are secure.
-
5
Push the switch into the box easily so the wires are not knocked loose or pinched. Replace the mounting screws to hold it in place. Install the faceplate to complete the installation.
-
6
Turn the switch to the Off position and restore power at the circuit breaker panel. Turn the switch to the On position to ensure the light works properly.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The voltage detector is optional, but it is an invaluable safety tool. If there are burn marks on the wires when you remove the switch, especially if they are accompanied by melted insulation, stop what you are doing and call a professional electrician. Burn marks are a sign of an arc fault or an overcurrent in the system and should be examined by a professional.
Electricity is dangerous. Do not take shortcuts or use improvised tools. Care must be taken at every step to prevent injury or death.
