![]() The neutral wire is usually the only white wire(s) inside your wall box. ![]() The Brilliant Control requires power, and power has to flow from the power line through the Brilliant, back out through the neutral. Normal electrical switches do not consume any power - they simply connect the power line to the light bulb. Congrats-you're now well-versed in the fine art of light switch installation.A neutral wire is required to install a Brilliant Control. Once you've verified that your handiwork was successful, you can install the new cover by putting it in place and tightening the two screws that hold the panel onto the light switch. If the light works, you’ve done it! Step 9: Replace the cover If the circuit breaker doesn't trip, go back to the light switch and turn it on. If the circuit breaker immediately trips off, go back to the switch, check that the power is off, and check that the wires are all properly installed. Reset the circuit breaker to restore the flow of power to the light switch. Push the wires back into the box, and use the two screws on the switch to secure it in place. This ensures there are no bare wires exposed, so they won’t touch each other (or something else) and short out the switch when you reinstall them. If the bare end of the cable is too long, use the wire cutters to trim off the end to the right length. With the two live wires, you should be able to push the wire in until the bare end of the wire is all the way into the terminal. Tighten the screw, fixing the cable in place, and tug gently on the wire to make sure it's secure. On most new switches, you'll push the wire into a hole behind the screw-check the documentation that came with the switch if you're not sure. Starting with the bare ground cable, push each wire into the same terminal that it was connected to on the old switch. Loosen the screw terminals on the new light switch by unscrewing them. Pull the wires out, then repeat until all of the wires are loose. Step 5: Disconnect the old light switchĪssuming you have a single-pole wiring, continue by loosening the wires from the old switch by removing the screws holding them in place. These setups are a bit more complicated, and you'll want to search for an appropriate how-to guide for that specific task. If there are more than three wires or they're different colors, then you're probably looking at a dimmer or a two-pole switch. The black indicates that this is the live part of the circuit, which carries the power to the light socket. The ground connection will be a bare wire with no covering, while the live circuit will be two wires covered in black shielding. In most light switches, there will be three connections: two for the live circuit and a ground. To connect the wires of the new light switch correctly, you need to be able to identify them. Step 4: Note where the wires are connected ![]() Unscrew them and carefully pull the switch out until it is hanging from the loose wires. The light switch itself is secured by two more screws, one above and below the switch. Always consult an electrician if you're not certain how to proceed. A more complex double-pole or three-way switch (right) usually has four screw terminals: one load, two travelers, and one ground. While this is a relatively simple task, you should always consult a qualified electrician if you're unsure how to proceed or if complications arise-which can happen a lot with older or poorly wired homes!Ī simple single-pole switch (left) usually has three screw terminals: two for the load and one ground. (Things are a little more complex if two switches control the same light.) Here's what to do to wire a light switch.Īs with anything electrical, safety should always be your number one concern. For this guide, we're going to focus on standard, single-pole light switches-a standard on-off switch that controls a single light and is the **only** switch that controls this light. ![]() The good news is that replacing a light switch is easy to do, requiring only a few simple tools and a little planning. By replacing old light switches, you can make them easier to use and more aesthetically pleasing- smart light switches can even be controlled remotely! If you're updating your home with new, modern fixtures, chances are the light switches are on your list.
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