Electrical Wall Switch Installation

Featuring wiring diagrams for single pole wall switches commonly used in the home.

Electrical wall switch installation.

One of these will likely be black. There are several different types of switches and although they may look the same when they are installed with their faceplates intact the various switches look and function differently on the inside. Still you will want to replace a switch when it wears out in part because it presents a fire hazard. Note the switch wiring.

You may want to change the size color or style of the switch. The wall switch is one of the most common and important electrical devices in the home. The other may be black red or white. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached.

One of these is the power feed and one is the switch leg but the switch terminals are interchangeable so there is no need to identify which is which. Explanation of wiring diagram 1. Unscrew and remove the switch plate. The black wire power in source attaches to one of the switch screw terminals.

Circuit electrical wiring enters the switch box. Then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch. Switch wiring shows the power source power in starts at the switch box.

The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch. This is an updated version of the first arrangement. Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. Most of the common types of switches come in different styles such as toggle rocker slider or push.

There should be one wire only under each terminal. To replace this kind of switch follow these steps.