Wiring Electrical Switches

Eventually, most homeowners will need to rewire an electrical switch in their home or office. Sometimes electrical switches will fail and need to be replaced while other times electrical switches with increased functionality may need to be installed. Wiring electrical switches can be an easy project and, as long as proper safety is observed, will typically come of without a hitch. Here are some tips to follow when wiring an electrical switch:

Before assuming an electrical switch needs to be replaced be sure to check out other possible causes for failure. Bad light bulbs, fuses or circuits can also be common causes when a light doesn't turn on. If the bulb isn't bad and no fuses are blown or circuits switched, the cause is probably the electrical switch.

Make sure the replacement electrical switch is the appropriate type. A regular switch can be used for rooms that have lights that only turn on from one switch while a 3-way switch will need to be used from rooms that have light switches on two different walls.

Cut power to the room you are working in by removing the fuse or flipping the circuit breaker. This will help prevent injury due to electrical shock or discharge.

Remove the face plate from the electrical switch as well as the top and bottom mounting screws to the switch. Loosen or remove the terminal screws on the sides of the switch and remove the switch entirely from the box.

Wire the new electrical switch by twisting the matching wires in a clockwise motion around the screws so they will tighten as the screw is screwed in. Typically, the back wire should go on the brass-colored screw while the white wire should connect with the silver screw.

Reassemble the electrical switch following the same steps as above but in reverse order. Electrical tape wrapped around the top, bottom, and sides of the switch will help in the future to eliminate shocks that may occur when the wires are touched.

For electrical switches that are located on an outside wall, a weatherproof backing plate will keep cold air and water out.

Replace the face plate. Fuses that were pulled or circuit breakers that were flipped should also be returned to their normal positions.

New electrical switches, that have various features include dimming and fade, typically will be wired the same way but the wiring diagram included with the switch should be checked to make sure.

More information on electrical switches