A single pole switch is the most basic type of switch which completes or breaks the circuit. A single pole switch can operate a light or series of receptacles.
Replacing a single pole switch is simple. First be sure to turn the circuit breaker off that powers your particular switch. This should be indicated on your panel box, but in most cases the breakers are mislabeled and then it becomes an issue of trial and error. Simply turn breakers off until your switch loses power (Or just turn the main power breaker off for the house).
The next step is to remove your old switch. Remove the cover plate by unscrewing the two small screws with a regular screwdriver. Then unscrew the switch itself from the box at the top and bottom of the switch (2 screws). Gently pull the switch out of the box towards you without tearing the wires. The only wires that should be connected to the switch are the black wires (hot). A white wire may be wrapped with electrical tape to indicate that it's hot (black). The other white wire (neutral) should bypass the switch and continue to your light or receptacle. Simply unscrew the two brass screws on the switch to remove the wires from the old switch.
Now take your new switch and wrap the black wires around the brass screws (B-B, Black-Brass). If the wire is not curved nicely, use needle-nosed pliers to make a round curvature of the wire, so that the wire wraps the screw nicely. Reconnect the ground wire (green or bare copper) to the green screw on the switch.
To provent a fire hazard and wire shorting, wrap your newly connected switch with electrical tape two times. This prevents the metal screws on the switch from making contact with any other metal inside the box, which causes a short, and a potential fire hazard.
Before placing the switch back into the box, make sure your switch is facing "Up" as indicated on the switch itself. Then screw the switch into the box. The switch allows you to align your switch so that it is not crooked. Tighten the screws and put the cover plate back on and you are done. Turn the power back on and test your brand new switch.
Replacing a single pole switch is simple. First be sure to turn the circuit breaker off that powers your particular switch. This should be indicated on your panel box, but in most cases the breakers are mislabeled and then it becomes an issue of trial and error. Simply turn breakers off until your switch loses power (Or just turn the main power breaker off for the house).
The next step is to remove your old switch. Remove the cover plate by unscrewing the two small screws with a regular screwdriver. Then unscrew the switch itself from the box at the top and bottom of the switch (2 screws). Gently pull the switch out of the box towards you without tearing the wires. The only wires that should be connected to the switch are the black wires (hot). A white wire may be wrapped with electrical tape to indicate that it's hot (black). The other white wire (neutral) should bypass the switch and continue to your light or receptacle. Simply unscrew the two brass screws on the switch to remove the wires from the old switch.
Now take your new switch and wrap the black wires around the brass screws (B-B, Black-Brass). If the wire is not curved nicely, use needle-nosed pliers to make a round curvature of the wire, so that the wire wraps the screw nicely. Reconnect the ground wire (green or bare copper) to the green screw on the switch.
To provent a fire hazard and wire shorting, wrap your newly connected switch with electrical tape two times. This prevents the metal screws on the switch from making contact with any other metal inside the box, which causes a short, and a potential fire hazard.
Before placing the switch back into the box, make sure your switch is facing "Up" as indicated on the switch itself. Then screw the switch into the box. The switch allows you to align your switch so that it is not crooked. Tighten the screws and put the cover plate back on and you are done. Turn the power back on and test your brand new switch.
No comments:
Post a Comment