How to Wire a Light Switch

A light switch controls electricity that runs from a home's power source to the lights, and then back to the source.light switch Switches can be single or multiple, and may have a variety of options for dimming, environmental and weather protection and more. Regardless of their differences, all switches function by being gatekeepers for the flow of electricity and provide a convenient way to control lighting in a room or home.

Light switches can be either surface-mounted or recessed into the wall. The former is more common in residential settings and commercial buildings, while the latter are more likely to be found in an outdoor or industrial setting.

Whenever you replace a light switch, it's important to make sure that the old one is completely unplugged and that the breaker connecting it to your house is turned off. This will prevent any stray electrical current from blowing your fuse and possibly injuring you.

When a switch is turned on, a spring-loaded metal gate inside of the switch snaps closed and completes the circuit that leads to the light fixture. When you toggle the switch to the off position, the gate opens and interrupts the circuit, allowing you to turn off the light.

Most switches are wired using a color-coding system to indicate their functions and wire connections. The dark wires that carry the 120-volt AC current are referred to as "hot," and the white wires that carry the current to the light are called "neutral." Switches are also usually connected to a grounding wire, which is typically bare copper.

The right way to connect a light switch to its wires depends on where it is located in the circuit configuration and whether or not it's a single-pole or three-way switch. In a standard single-pole switch, the two brass terminal screws on the side of the switch connect to one of the black ("hot") wires that come from the power source. The other screw terminals are lighter in color (usually brass) and connect to a pair of wires, called travelers, that run between the switch and the fixture.

A three-way switch has a similar wiring configuration but has an additional screw terminal for the green grounding wire. If the switch is positioned between two fixtures, it's important to connect the common terminal of the switch to the black wire that delivers electricity to both. The traveler terminals of each switch are then connected to a wire that continues onward to the other fixtures.

Once you've finished identifying the wires in your new switch, connect them to their respective terminals by wrapping the wire around each of the brass screws in a clockwise direction, as this is the same way that the screw turns and tightens the connection. Then, use a wire nut to secure each of the connections and wrap them with electrical tape to prevent any future accidental contact with live electricity. If the switch is UL-listed or has the CSA label, you can be confident that it meets all US and Canadian electrical safety standards.

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