If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know how to wire a light switch. It’s not as complicated as it sounds–anyone can do it with a little patience and the right instructions.
- Gather your materials
- You will need a light switch, a power drill, screwdriver, wire strippers, and electrical tape
- Turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on at the breaker box
- Remove the switch plate by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place
- Be careful not to touch any of the wires or terminals behind the plate
- Use a screwdriver or drill to remove the screws that hold the switch in place on the electrical box
- Pull the switch out of the box and disconnect any wires connected to it
- Strip about ¾ inch of insulation from each wire using wire strippers or a sharp knife
- Be careful not to damage any of the inner strands of copper wire
- 6a) For a single pole switch: twist each exposed end ofwire around a terminal screw onthe newswitch so each wraps clockwise aroundthe terminal (righty-tighty)
- Tighten each screw securely againstthe barewire to make good contact without damagingor over-tighteningthe wire insulation
- OR 6b) For a three-way switch: connect one exposed end ofeachwiringto eitheroneof twoterminalscrewson thenewswitch(it doesn’tmatterwhich; justmake sureeach goes tobare metalandnot anotherwire)
- Thenexposedendofthewirefrom yourothercablegoesto themiddleterminalon thenewswitch—againmaking surenothingis touchinganythingbutmetal—andthenscrewthat downas well
- 7) Carefullypush all wiring backinsideelectricalbox, making sureeverythingisfittingneatlywithout being pinchedor damagedin anyway
- 8) Putonswitchplateandsecurewith originalor new screwsas needed
Single Pole Switch Lighting Circuits – How to wire a light switch
Does It Matter Which Wire Goes Where on a Light Switch?
The most common type of light switch is the single-pole switch. It controls a light or other electrical device from a single location. A single-pole switch has two brass terminals, and sometimes a green grounding screw.
The hot wire (which is usually black or red) is connected to one of the brass terminals, and the other wire (known as the neutral, white, or ground wire) goes to the other brass terminal.
You may also come across 3-way switches. These are used to control a light or other electrical device from two locations, such as at the top and bottom of a staircase.
A 3-way switch has three brass terminals and a green grounding screw. The hot wire is connected to one of the brass terminals, and the other two wires are connected to the other two brass terminals.
It does matter which wire goes where on a light switch because they are all different colours for easy identification purposes: black=hot/live; white=neutral; green/bare=ground/earth).
How Do You Wire Up a Light Switch?
Most homes have a standard single-pole light switch. The wiring for this switch is pretty simple–there are only three wires coming into the box, after all. But there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re wiring up a light switch.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know:
The first thing to understand about light switches is that they are essentially just breakers for the circuit that powers your lights. That means that there are two wires coming into the switch box: one “hot” wire (which carries live electricity) and one “neutral” wire (which doesn’t carry any electricity).
The hot wire is usually black or red, while the neutral wire is usually white.
To wire up a light switch, you’ll need to connect the hot wire to one of the terminals on the switch, and connect the neutral wire to the other terminal. It doesn’t matter which way around you do it, as long as both wires are connected properly.
Once you’ve done that, screw the switch back into place and flip it on!
Which Wire Goes to Which Screw on a Light Switch?
Most light switches will have three screws on them. The top screw is usually the common screw. This is the screw that you attach your black wire to.
The bottom left screw is usually your hot/live wire. You would attach your red wire to this screw. The bottom right screw is normally your ground wire and would be attached using a green or copper colored wire.
What Does L1 And L2 Mean on a Light Switch?
L1 and L2 on a light switch refer to the two different live wires that are used to power the switch. The terms are often used when describing electrical circuits, and they help to identify which wire is which. In most cases, L1 will be the black wire and L2 will be the red wire.
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Credit: www.thespruce.com
How to Wire a Light Switch With 3 Wires
If you are looking to wire a light switch with 3 wires, then you have a couple of different options. The first option is to use a single pole switch. This type of switch will only control one light at a time and can be used with either 2 or 3 wires.
To wire a single pole switch with 2 wires, simply connect the black wire to the brass screw on the side of the switch and the white wire to the silver screw on the other side. If you are using 3 wires, then you will also need to connect the ground wire to the green screw on the bottom of the switch.
The second option for wiring a light switch with 3 wires is to use a double pole switch.
This type of switch can be used to control two lights at once and will require 3 wires. To wire a double pole switch, simply connect each black wire (from each light) to one of the brass screws on either side of the switch and then connect all three white wires together on the silver screw in the middle. Again, don’t forget to connect the ground wire!
Conclusion
Wiring a light switch is not as difficult as most people think. It is a simple matter of connecting the right wires to the right terminals. The first thing you need to do is turn off the power to the circuit that you will be working on.
Then, remove the switch plate and unscrew the switch from the electrical box. With the switch removed, you will be able to see the wires that are connected to it. The wire that is wrapped around the screw in a clockwise direction is called the “hot” wire, while the other wire is called the “neutral” wire.
To wire a new switch, simply connect these two wires to their respective terminals on the new switch. Finally, screw in the new switch and replace the cover plate.