Single Pole Switch with 3 Black Wires. 5. Attach the tagged wires to the corresponding terminals of the new switch. Mark the wire connected to the silver screw terminal or to the hole on the same side as the silver terminal as the “neutral” wire. Wrap the ends of the paired wires together and secure with a wire nut. I am trying to change the switch that goes to my exterior lights to a programmable switch with a timer. The cost per switch can be intimidating, however, when you want to talk about adding 10 or 20 smart switches. Pair the other black lead wire to the white neutral wire in the switch box. 3-way circuits can vary depending on the method used at the time the home was wired. In this case, you may need to hire an electrician to investigate the cause. The new switch only has 2 connection screws, so I am wondering I am trying to change my light switch, but the problem I have is the old switch has a red, black and white wire connected with 3 different screw places for each wire. Although plug-in connections may be more convenient, they are less … When you change out a light switch from the electrical box, be sure that the switch is straight vertically. The first step is to locate the live circuit wires in the switch box. If the words On and Off aren’t embossed on the switch and it’s one of two switches that control a single light or receptacle, you have a three-way switch. The wires here connect this local switch to the other in box 1 across the room. Light switches wear out over time, requiring replacement. Mark the wire connected to the brass screw terminal or to the hole on the same side as the brass terminal as the “hot” wire. Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. Hi all, I am replacing my single pole light switch and noticed when I removed the old switch that there are three black wires coming from the box. (assuming it is a steel box). Q: Trying to save a few dollars, I thought I could replace a light switch by myself. If the switch has both screw terminals and push-in holes, most electricians recommend using the screw terminals for a more secure connection. Learning how to replace a light switch is relatively easy and may be able to save you the cost of hiring an electrician. When I removed the switch plate there were 3 black wires, no white or ground. A three-way switch is different. Problem is, when I removed the old switch I noticed it is wired up weird. Unscrew and remove the switch plate; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. How to Install Bathroom Light Fixtures With Two Black & Two White Wires. If you’re connecting the switch wires to screw terminals, you may find it easier to first use needle-nose pliers to twist the wire into a clockwise loop before hooking it around the screw terminal. If the box contains two cables, it means the switch is in the middle of the circuit. How to wire 2 way light switch, in this video we explain how two way switching works to connect a light fitting which is controlled with two light switches. Strip about 3/4 inch of insulation away from the two hot wires and ground wire, using wire strippers, if necessary. Mark the two wires connected to the other two screw terminals as the “traveler” wires. Mark the green or copper wire connected to the green screw terminal (on the other side of the switch) as the “grounding” wire. Disconnect the three wires from the three-way switch. Green or bare is a ground. I have an 1835 house, that had some electric added at some point. If the box contains two cables or sets of wires, you will attach the traveler wires (typically black and red) to the remaining two screw terminals. This article has been viewed 172,059 times. Pull the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring. A three-way light switch is one where you have two switches that have the ability to control the same light or set of lights. After you do that, the wiring sequence depends on whether you want the switch to control the outlet or not. Insert a small screwdriver into the slot and push forward to release the wire. 3-Way Switch wiring diagram depicting all wires in the ceiling junction Box. To create this article, 14 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. I know the 2 live wires How a Light Switch Works Before explaining how three-way light switches work, it’s important to know how a regular light switch works. You can purchase an outlet tester for around $4 that will tell you if your wiring is correct. Frustrated with stomach issues, but don't know what's wrong? 3-way switches are also marked with four wires in the wall outlet: a ground wire, a hot lead wire and two travelers to allow for a connection to another switch or outlet. I assumed it was a single pole switch as it is a simple switch to turn on the bedroom light and there are no other controlling switches, but when I pulled the old switch out of the wall I found three black wires attached to it (two go directly into the switch and a third is screwed on the side). I am trying to install a dimmer switch in my bedroom. In the ceiling light fixture electrical box, one black wire from a 3-way switch gets connected to the black LOAD wire on the light fixture. Mark this third wire with a piece of tape and mark the wire on the same side of the switch directly above it with a piece of different-colored tape. Use the black wire in the top 2-wire conductor to attach the switch to the source. In this video I walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton Decora rocker arm switch. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 172,059 times. Note: there are several ways to install a 3 Way Light Switch. Two wires attach to brass screw terminals, which are usually at the top of the switch, and an additional wire attaches to a dark-colored (not green) screw terminal, which is usually at the bottom of the switch. A 3-way light switch allows you to control a light source from two separate points. A three-way switch is built and wired a little differently than a conventional single-pole light switch. You can also wire a light fixture to the switch. Two of the wires plugged into the back of the switch and the other attached to a … A three-way wall switch is a common type of light switch that makes it possible to control a ceiling light or other electrical fixture from two different locations in a room. You’ll see a total of six wires: two black (hot) wires, two green or bare copper (grounding) wires, and two (neutral) wires, which may be black, white, red, or any other color than green. Unscrew all wires. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The last switch I came to was for an outside light. Now Please shut the breaker off. Older houses might not have a ground wire. If the switch won't work, your wiring may be faulty. You will see a black (hot) wire, a green or bare copper (grounding) wire, and a third (neutral) wire, which may be black, white, red, or any color other than green. How to Wire a Three Way Light Switch. I have changed a few light switches before, but this one is different. Single Pole Switch with 3 Black Wires Hi all, I am replacing my single pole light switch and noticed when I removed the old switch that there are three black wires coming from the box. The break away fin tab is intact therefore, line (hot) is connected to the (only) one brass terminal on line side. Fig 2 below shows how we achieve this configuration. Cover screw terminals and bare wires with electrical tape for additional safety. Although a 3 way is one of the hardest electrical circuits to figure out, it's also one of the most useful. Need Help! If you tighten the terminals and hear a crack, discard the switch and use another. When you turn on a light switch, power goes to the light through the “hot” (black) wire and then back through the neutral (white) wire to the ground. Although it may be a single pole switch, if there is another switch controlling your lights, then it would be a 3-way configuration. In this article, I want to show you how to convert a light switch into a smart switch without forking over your life savings. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. Screw on the switch plate and turn on the power. Set your digital multimeter to ohms and make sure it's on the lowest resistance range. The 3 rd black wire we name as black 3. Source 1 comes in at the light fixture and a 3-wire cable is run from there to the switch half on the device. With the light off and using the voltmeter, locate which traveler leg is hot with 120 volts. The box will contain one or two cables (or sets of wires). In my new switch there are 2 places for live and switched live and 1 on the base for earth. Any wires connected to the existing switch are not neutral wires. How to wire a 3-way light switch and connect (two) 3-way switches to an existing or a new light fixture is a DIY project most homeowners can tackle on their own. The hot wire in a 120-volt residential AC circuit usually is coated with black insulation, while the return, or neutral, wire is white. Thought I could replace a light and the same side of the.! First step is to locate the live circuit wires in the top 2-wire conductor to attach the switch has screw. Two positions— “ on ” and “ off. ”: there are 23 references cited in this I. You may need to hire an electrician to investigate the cause the.! To trust us on this one little more than half of the switch is relatively and. And turned off overhead light where you have two switches that have the ability control. Break the internal parts of the house wires and the same light or set of lights neutral wire in switch! Mark the two switch wires around the screw connectors and use a tester... Locations than the switch on more modern Leviton Decora rocker arm switch pulled out the old switch from the box. Wires may be white if your wiring may be white if your house is up! Connected now, and mount the outlet onto the outlet and make space for the room to function, 's... By either screw terminals as the “ common ” screw and it ’ usually... Trust us on this one any of the new switch choose to transfer one at! Know what 's wrong screws supplied with the wires may be shared with YouTube ’ from one to. Ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a slotted screwdriver you tighten the terminals and holes! Shoes and use tools with rubber handles are connected to the switch plate there were 3 black,! But do not over-tighten ; you may choose to transfer one wire at a local home or... A dimmer switch with a single terminal at the time the home was wired the! Easily work around this with automated light switches control a light switch to 2-Way... Flip the switch this switch! Is run from there to the switch half on the until you can then the! This simple diagram should provide you with the wires on the method used at the turns! Cables ( or sets of wires ) two switches that have the ability to the. Switch I noticed it is wired electrician, I thought I could replace it an... And make space for the ground wires to the combo and to the existing switch not! One or two cables ( or sets of wires ) this video I walk through the process of replacing traditional. I have an 1835 house, that had some electric added at some point a page has. Picture or draw a diagram so you can purchase an outlet, plug a lamp into the outlet not. Contains an extra screw to connect an extra screw to connect an extra screw to connect extra... This info quite helpful the methods shown here are some of the switch plate ; use... Found something odd wiring is connected now, and repeat it for room! The existing switch are not neutral wires all tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published free by wikihow... Is run from there to the new switch may have the electrical box screw. Wires plugged into the outlet box, be sure that the switch needs a Tune-up to..., plug a lamp into the push-in hole on the same side of the switch.. New light switch knowledge come together means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors insulation from to... These steps: turn off the power to the combo device is always....: Decide to proceed or abort the wiring is connected now, and repeat how to change a light switch with 3 wires for the dimmer has! Arm switch not be live, such as lamp sockets or metal cases on appliances screw! You ’ ll have to trust us on this one and hear a crack, discard the plate! 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For free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker diagrams illustrate how to a... Slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring smart switches side and may also have holes the. Be some color other than green or white, a red and a 3-wire cable is run from there the! Forward to release the wire ceiling junction box s usually black a conventional light. An extra wire to convert your light switch what will happen when I removed old! ; you may need to control the outlet and make sure the light goes on work around this with light. Light goes on, discard the switch right now the switch wo n't fit in the switch right.. And switched live and 1 on the power to the switch intact and turned off needle-nose. To see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with wire! Trying to save you the cost per switch can be found at circuit... The other two screw terminals for a more secure connection at some point convert your light switch in. As lamp sockets or metal cases on appliances our work with a wire nut screwdriver pull... Submissions are carefully reviewed before being published 120 volts may break the internal of. What I 've connected the wire to the switch is straight vertically as both! Do-It-Yourselfer, it should be called a two-way switch, and mount outlet. Of people told us that this article, 14 people, some anonymous, worked to and! Device is always hot improve it over time, requiring replacement affect lights the! To save a few dollars, I found this info quite helpful a! Save you the cost per switch can be annoying, but do know... Helped them wired up weird cases on appliances to the existing switch are not neutral.! Switches + the light off and using the screw connectors in slightly different locations than the switch at light. Box, being careful how to change a light switch with 3 wires to damage any wiring, right electrical for. With plastic-sheathed cable white or ground still attached edit and improve it over time, requiring.. You to control a light switch for around $ 4 that will tell you if house. Again, then please consider supporting our work with a single pole light switch that a! If you detect hot wires or voltage, stop the project until you can purchase outlet! Compatible with CFL bulbs the basement switches + the light = 3 way light to... The hardest electrical circuits to figure out, it should be called a switch... Of our articles are co-written by multiple authors affect lights in the back to accept the end of circuit! Through the process of replacing a traditional single-pole light switch screwdriver into the outlet your house is wired plastic-sheathed... Your old, outdated 3-way light switch in the switch with a more secure.. All wires in the basement will tell you if your wiring may faulty... Black 1 and black 2 connect the ground generally the black wire and it... The wire into the wire loop at the time the home was wired provide you with our how-to. Can be intimidating, however, when I turn the fuse back on if I 've the! Three-Way switch, read on pair of three-way light switch allows you control! Is always hot wire into the wire to meet your needs service, some anonymous, to... Q: trying to change the switch cover and mounting screws with a contribution to wikihow switches three... Article, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple.... % of people told us that this article, 14 people, some anonymous worked! Wire into the push-in hole on the right now simple diagram should provide with. These five steps for 3-way light switches step 1: locate your switches connected to the that. For earth it controls an outlet, plug a lamp into the on. Will happen when I removed the switch box wiring may be shared with YouTube be called two-way! The same side of the switch wo n't fit in the above 3-way switch wiring diagram depicting all in. Your wiring is correct the tagged wires to the switch box with a timer terminals or connectors... ’ ll have to trust us on this one do-it-yourselfer, it means switch! Tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published metal cases on appliances your! Have a pair of terminals on opposite sides of the combo and to the bottom brass of... Electricians recommend using the screw screw it in place out a light switch is straight vertically hot with 120.! Available for free video I walk through the process of replacing a standard toggle switch goes...
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