How to Replace a Bad Light Switch

REPLACING A LIGHT SWITCH IS SUPER EASY AN ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES. YOU CAN REPLACE OLD LIGHT SWITCHES WITH DIMMERS, DECORATIVE SWITCHES OR EVEN A TIMER SWITCH.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SCREW DRIVERS (PHILLIPSHEAD AN FLATTIPPED)
• NEW SWITCH OF YOUR CHOOSE.

1. URN OFF THE ELECTRIC. REMOVE THE SWITCH PLATE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ALL THE WIRES IN THE SWITCH BOX. *YOU ONLY NEED TO DEAL WITH THE TWO CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH.*

2. REMOVE THE SWITCH FROM THE BOX CAREFULLY. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHERE THE WIRES ARE AS YOU NOW REMOVE THEM.
   ONCE REMOVED CONNECT THE NEW SWITCH BY HOOKING THE BARE WIRES TO THE LEADS. IF WIRES ARE CORRODED AT TIPS STRIP THE ENDS BARELY ENOUGH TO EXPOSE CLEAN WIRE AN CLIP BAD ENDINGS OFF WITH WIRE CUTTERS.

3. NOW GO AHEAD AND AFTER THE WIRES ARE CONNECTED TO BACK OF SWITCH SAFELY, FOLD THE WIRES BACK INTO THE BOX, ALWAYS PUT GROUND WIRES IN FIRST,***THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE TERMINAL***** IF THEY DO THEY MAY CAUSE A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT.
   AFTER WIRES ARE IN PLACE, GO AHEAD AN SCREW THE SWITCH INTO THE BOX AN INSTALL THE COVER PLATE. NOW , TURN THE POWER BACK ON AN TEST YOUR HANDY WORK OUT. AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD BE PROUD THAT YOU DID IT YOURSELF.

Tips & Warnings

• ALWAYS BE WORK SAFE AN WEAR SAFETY GEAR.
• RUBBER SOLE SHOES
• SAFETY GLASSES
• AN SAFETY GLOVES
• IF YOU HAVE OLDER FABRIC-INSULATED WIRING OR ALUMINIUM WIRING, INSTEAD OF COPPER WIRING,
• YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IT YOURSELF. BUT ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN HANDLES THE JOB.
• TO CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ALUMINUM WIRING; WITH THE POWER OFF SCRAPE A BARE WIRE WITH A UTILITY KNIFE. IF YOU SEE SILVERY METAL INSTEAD OF COPPER, IT'S ALUMINUM AND ONLY A LICENSED ELECTRICIAN NEEDS TO HANDLE THE JOB.