Switches in your homes control the electrical outlets and various light fixtures and when a switch has become old it needs to be repaired or replaced. You can take the assistance of
electrical contractors in Port St. Lucie to replace the light switches in your home or you can also do it yourself if you have the required electrical knowledge.
If you want to do a DIY switch replacement then here are three ways in which you can replace the light switch. But keep in mind that all-electric works are dangerous and it is better to let a professional do the work.
Changing a dimmer switch
A dimmer switch is the switch that lets you control the brightness of a light fixture. Before you replace the switch make sure to turn off the electrical supply to that switch from the service panel.
- Mark the wires
When you’re replacing a dimmer switch, locate the wire connected to the brass screw terminal and mark it as ‘hot’. Mark the one connected to the silver screw as ‘neutral’ and the wire connected to the green terminal as ‘grounding’.
- Disconnect the wires
Each switch has push-in holes or screws terminal connectors by which the wires are connected to the back of the switch. Disconnect the wires from the back of the switch to separate the switch from the wires.
- Connect the wires to the new switch
Now, connect the wires to the back of the new switch before you attach it back in the receptacle. Once you have attached the wires, make sure to check if the switch is oriented in the right way. Carefully push the wires back inside the box and tighten all the screws to secure the switch.
- Turn on the power supply
Go back to the breaker box and turn on the power supply to the switch.
Changing a single-pole switch
The single-pole switch is the most common type of switch spotted in a home.
- Turn the power supply off
Turn off the power supply to the switch from the breaker box. Before you begin the replacement work make sure to test the power supply of the switch by turning it on and off a couple of times.
- Remove the switch
First, remove the plate cover, unscrew all the mounting screws and then carefully pull the switch away from the wall exposing the wiring.
- Detach the switch from the wires
Mark the wires as hot, neutral and grounding accordingly and then carefully detach the wires and pull out the switch from the wall separating them from the wires.
- Connect the wires to the new switch
Attach the wires to the terminals again, connect the hot wire to the brass screw terminal, the neutral wire to the silver screw terminal and the ground wire to the green screw terminal and then check the orientation of the switch and push the wires carefully back into place.
- Turn on the power supply
After you have secured the new switch in place, go back to the breaker box and turn the power back on.
Changing a three-way switch
Three-way switches allow you to control an appliance from multiple locations. You can call
electrical services in Palm City to change the three-way switches as it can be a bit confusing. Also, remember to turn off the power source before replacing the switch.
- Take a picture of the switch wiring
When unscrewing the switch make sure to make a note or take a picture of how the wires are connected to the switch so as to avoid any confusion later on.
- Mark the wires
A three-way switch has three wires, a hot wire, a neutral wire and a traveler wires. Locate the wire connected to the colored screw terminal, it is usually dark in color and mark it as ‘common’ wire. Mark the other two wires connected to the other two terminals as ‘traveler’ and mark the wire connected to the green screw terminal as ‘grounding’.
- Remove the switch
Remove the wires from the terminals and detach the screws separating the wires from the switch. Now, connect the wires to the new switch and push it back carefully inside the switch box and fasten the screws.
- Turn the switch on
Go back to the breaker box, turn on the power supply to the switch and test if the switch is working adequately.
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