Replace an Electric Light Switch
How to Change a Lighting or Appliance Toggle Controller
Has a light switch, ceiling fan switch, 3 way switch, or garbage disposal switch gone bad? How to safely remove the faulty electric switch and install a new one.
Replace an Electric Light Switch
Every DIY homeowner will need to replace an electric light switch at some point. That, or a switch for a ceiling fan, garbage disposal, or other appliance. What are the symptoms of an electrical switch that needs replacement? It might fail to turn on the light or appliance that it controls. Or perhaps the toggle feels loose or sloppy. This signals imminent light switch failure.
Tools Needed for Removing and Replacing a Switch
Minimal tools are needed for this project. They are:
- Long-nose pliers
- Voltage tester
- Wire strippers
- Side cutters
Types of Electrical Switches
- Single-pole switch – this is the most common switch and is called a single-pole switch. How is it identified? It has two wire terminals plus a ground wire. The toggle on a single-pole switch is clearly marked “On” and “Off”.
- Three-way switch – this electric switch is not marked “On” and “Off”. It has three wire terminals plus a ground wire. This type of switch works in tandem with another three-way switch so power can be turned on and off from two different locations.
- Dimmer switch – this type of switch does what its name implies; it dims or raises the lighting level. Can a dimmer switch be used on a ceiling fan? Not a standard one. But there is a dimmer switch made specifically for fans.
How to Replace the Electric Light Switch
Regardless of which of the above types of electric switches is being replaced, the same basic steps are performed.
- Remove power from the switch. This means turning off the circuit breaker that feeds the switch. How can it be determined which breaker it is? It may be labeled in the circuit breaker box. If not, turn the switch on and put a circuit breaker in the “Off” position. Did the light go out? If not, turn the breaker back on and try the next one.
- Remove the light switch cover.
- Test for power using the voltage tester.
- Unscrew the switch and gently pull it out of the box.
- Label each wire.
- Loosen the terminal screws and pull off the wires.
- Remove the old switch and verify the new one is the same type.
- Put the wires on the new switch and tighten the terminal screws. (If a wire is accidentally broken, strip off enough insulation to make the connection.)
- Install the new switch in the switch box and replace the screws.
- Ensure that no bare wire is contacting anything.
- Replace the light switch cover.
- Set the circuit breaker in the “On” position and test the new switch.
- If the light or appliance functions as expected, the job is done! Otherwise, turn the circuit breaker off and retrace the steps.
The copyright of the article Replace an Electric Light Switch in Home Electrical is owned by Kelly Smith. Permission to republish Replace an Electric Light Switch must be granted by the author in writing.
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