How to Replace a Single-Pole Light Switch
Maybe your old light switch is broken or maybe it's just plain ugly. You want to replace it. Installing a new one is simple. A single-pole light switch controls only one light, so make sure this is your situation. If you have two lights or a light and a fan controlled by the same switch, you need to install a dual-pole switch, which is a little more complex. If you are sure you need to replace a single-pole light switch, you only need a few common tools to do it yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Wire connector
- Single-pole light switch
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Instructions
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Cut the power to the switch. If you are not sure which circuit breaker/fuse is the right one, cut the power to the entire house at the main electrical box outside.
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Remove the screws that hold the switch plate on, and set the screws and the plate aside.
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Remove the two screws that hold the switch in the wiring box, and set them aside. Pull the switch out gently until the attached wires are extended.
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Locate the two brass screws on the left side of the switch. Loosen the screws by about 1/2 turn, and unhook the wires that are wrapped around them. Keep the wires separated so you know which one goes to which screw.
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Locate the ground wire, which is a thin, copper wire that may be attached in a socket beneath the two brass screws or wrapped around a silver screw on the opposite side of the switch. If the ground wire is in a socket, pull it free. If it doesn't come loose, use wire cutters to trim it close to the socket. If it is wrapped around a silver screw, remove it the same way you removed the black wires. Discard the old switch.
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Position the new switch so that the side of the toggle labeled "On" is facing up. Wrap the bare ends of each black wire around each of the brass screws in a clockwise direction. Tighten each screw until firm pressure is holding the wire coil in place.
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Coil the ground wire around the silver screw the same way. If your new switch comes with a short length of ground wire already attached in a socket, hold the ends of the existing ground wire and the new ground wire side by side, and feed them into a wire connector. Twist the wire connector two or three times, and tug each wire gently to make sure they are secure.
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Position the new, wired switch in place, lining up the screw holes on the switch with the screw holes on the wiring box. You may have to tuck the wires in behind the switch to make it fit.
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Screw the new switch in place with the screws provided. Position the switch plate over the switch, and screw it in place. Turn the power back on and test the switch.
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Tips & Warnings
Most modern homes have two black live wires, but some older homes may have one black wire and one white wire with a black stripe. This is a hot wire as well, and should be attached to the bottom brass screw.
If the switch doesn't work when you test it, turn the power back off and reverse the two black wires.
Never attempt to replace a switch unless you are sure the power is off.
References
- Photo Credit light switch image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
