#Old light switch wiring to new how to#
#Old light switch wiring to new install#

Fold and tuck the white wires into the back of the box they’re not necessary for operating the switch. Start by using a twist-on wire connector-commonly called a Wire Nut-to join together the two white insulated wires. Each cable has a black insulated wire, white insulated wire, and bare copper wire. Here’s how a single-pole switch is typically wired: The electrical box usually has two two-wire cables coming into it. Next, refer to the switch-wiring photo you took earlier to connect the existing wires to the new switch.

#Old light switch wiring to new install#

You don’t want to install the switch upside down. Position the switch in the electrical box so that the ON position is facing up toward the ceiling. of insulation and leave the wire ends perfectly straight. If using the push-in connectors at the rear of the switch, strip off 1/2 in. If you plan to connect the wires to screw terminals on the new switch, bend a rounded hook onto the end of each wire using either needle-nose pliers or the hole at the tip of the wire stripper. Snip off the damaged section of wire and use wire strippers to strip off about 1/2 in. Wires expand and contract slightly every time the power is turned on and off, and they can eventually fail at these stress points. Snip and StripĬheck the ends of the wires for nicks, cracks or rough spots. Use a vacuum to clean the box of all dust and dirt. Once you’ve disconnected all the wires, bend them out of the way and remove and discard the old switch. Firmly press a narrow slotted screwdriver or nail set into the square hole while simultaneously pulling on the wire until it releases from the switch.

#Old light switch wiring to new how to#

If the wires aren’t tightened under screw terminals, but instead are pushed into holes in the back of the switch, here’s how to release the wires: Look for a small square hole directly below where each wire goes into the back of the switch. Once the electricity is definitely turned off, use a screwdriver to loosen each screw terminal and remove the hooked wires from beneath the screw heads. Have the wiring and circuits checked by a licensed electrician. It’s not a common problem, but with old houses, anything’s possible. If you can’t kill the electricity, the switch box might be connected to a cable from a different circuit. That way, you’ll be sure to reconnect the wires correctly to the new switch. 💡 Use your cell phone to take a photo of how the switch is wired. Once you’ve confirmed that the power is off to all the wires inside the box, you can proceed. Every conductor (electrical wire) in the box should be dead. Use the tester to check for any other live wires inside the box. Now, unscrew the switch from the box and pull it forward. Go back to the electrical panel and identify and turn off the correct circuit breaker (or remove the right fuse). However, if the tester lights up or beeps, then the power is not off. If the electricity is off, the tester will not light up or emit an audible beep. Touch the tester’s probe to the wires on the switch. (Or, unscrew the fuse if your home has a fuse box.) Next, remove the cover plate from the switch and use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm that the power is indeed off. Go to the main electrical panel and flip off the circuit breaker that’s feeding power to the light switch. ⚠️: Working on a live electrical circuit can cause serious injury or death. The most important rule about electrical work is that you absolutely must turn off the electricity to the circuit that you’re working on. The swap-out takes less than 15 minutes and a new single-pole light switch costs less than a buck, making it one of the most affordable upgrades ever. If you have wall switches that are old and badly faded, cracked, or just worn out and ugly, then replace them with brand-new switches. And few electrical projects are as simple and safe as replacing an old light switch. However, there are many simple electrical upgrades that, when done correctly, are perfectly safe. And that’s certainly understandable electricity is not to be trifled with. Most DIYers shy away from doing electrical work for fear of getting shocked or causing a fire.