Either you are going to set up a brand-new light, or you want to swap out the old light switch, you have to make sure that you have done it correctly. Or else, you might end up disturbing the whole electric system of your house. Before you do that, here is a perfect guide to help you with how to wire a light switch.

Paying an electrician for this simple task is not an optimal solution every time you need to change a switch. Instead, with a few steps, it is possible for you to do it yourself. Every homeowner must know how to wire a light switch as it is something that you may need to do at any time of the day.

So, let’s break down the techniques so you may learn and complete the work on your own.

Wiring a light switch

When doing any task which needs electricity, you must cut off the supply before you start doing anything. If you are not sure about the particular breaker, turn off all, or you can try testing each one until you find the right breaker that turns off your light switch that you want to work on. If you have a current detector, then it’s good to have it tested. Use it to check there is no current flow in the electrical box and then proceed to the next step.

Tools needed

In order to complete a job without any problems, you must have all the required tools in your accessibility. To wire a light switch, you mainly need nose pliers, screwdriver, wire strippers, wire nuts, and electrical tape. You can see that there are no extraordinary tools required for this task. You can complete this in a few minutes by following a few simple steps.

Replacing an existing switch

In case you want to work on the existing switch, you need to follow the given instructions.

Firstly, you need to remove the switch plate. Unscrew the nuts and carefully remove the old switch. Keep in mind that the wires will be attached, and before you detach the wires, it is better if you notice the connectivity and the layout. Under each terminal, you will see a different wire.

Once you have seen the connectivity of these wires, detach them using the screwdriver and get rid of the old switch. After that comes the stage of wiring the new switch.

Wiring a standard light switch

We are going to move ahead with instructions on how to wire a standard light switch. No matter if you are replacing an old switch or setting up a new one, following the instructions will help complete the task perfectly.

Before you start connecting, examine the conditions of the wires and make sure they are not damaged or worn out from any side. A half-inch of wire should be exposed and twisted into a U shape that will fit on the switch. Nose pliers will help you set the wires accordingly.

Begin wrapping the black and white wires clockwise around the brass screw, connecting them to both terminals. The hooks should be tight enough to fit securely and neatly around the screws of the light switch. Now go for the copper ground green wire and tighten it securely. The wiring stage is now completed.

But for completing the task, wrap the tape around terminal screws so that the connections do not lose afterward, and place the cover back into its position. After you have attached the switch plate cover, turn on the power supply and see if your new light switch works or not. If you have connected the wires accordingly, the new light switch will be working without any issues.

Easy and quick, this is all that you need to wire a light switch.

Conclusion

If you are following the guidelines, wiring a light switch is going to be an easy task even if you have not done a similar kind of work before. However, if you don’t feel comfortable or there is any confusion, it is better that you call in a professional electrician for help. Whatever the case is, strictly follow the safety precautions at all costs. Rest assured, wiring a light switch just requires a bit of patience and a little information about the process that you have attained from this blog. So, how about replacing an old switch in your home yourself? You might succeed if you give it a shot.