Light is a common electrical product that can be turned on and off. For this, we need a switch and the switch have to connect with light by wire. But most of us don’t know how to wire a light switch. But wire a light switch isn’t so difficult.
Wiring a light switch is not a day-long task. It just takes few minutes. If you want to wire light switch just follow our guideline how to wire a light switch which is given bellow
Tools to Wire a Light Switch
Without tools, our guidelines on how to wire a light switch will not be applicable. Here we give you some essential tools list and some optional tools list.
- Four-in-One Screwdriver
- Replacement Light Switch
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Electrical Tape
- Voltage Tester
- Wire Cutter
Safety Issue Before Wire a Light Switch
Electricity is dangerous, so don’t worry about it. If you take the proper step then nothing will happen. For this, turn off the electricity flow from the breaker. After that test it with a tester that electricity is available or not. You can wear leather shoes or something like that which does not conduct electricity. And also wear gloves.
Basic Knowledge You have to Know
You need some basic knowledge about wire before wire a light switch or fix anything’s which are related to electricity.
White Wire: It is a neutral wire and it is not dangerous
Black Wire: This wire is called load wire or hot wire. This wire is used as Phase 1 in office and home settings.
Red Wire: This wire is used as Phase 2 in office and home settings. It is also used for 3- and 4-way switches when users want to connect more switches and control each other.
Green Wire: This wire is used when unwanted electricity flow happens then this wire conduct the ground and saves the electronic products.
Wire a light switch
Normally, black wire carries the power. So first connect the wire with the switch then leave the wire to the light. This black wire connects to the light through a switch. Here switch when on then the power supply will be continuing and when switch off then the power supply will be off. The neutral or white wire bypasses the switch and directly connects to the light. This wire is used to complete the circuit. Then connect the ground wire to the switch. This ground wire is used for safety purposes. After connecting all wires then wrap them with electrical tape. Now place your switch to the location from where you want to control. Take the screwdriver and tied the switch onboard.
Wire a light switch with 3 wires
3-wire is also known as a 2-way switch. In a 2-way switching system, the user wants to control the power wire (black wire) to turn off and on. The normal switch has two terminals one is neutral which is directly connected to the light. And the other one is power (Black wire ). Electricity flow by this wire and the light on-off depends on it. The switch connects the two ends of the black wire. 2-way has 3 terminals which are called common, L1, and L2. Both normal switch and 2-way switch look the same from the front side but the inside is different. By normal switch, the user can control electricity flow from one location but by the 2-way switch, the user can control from two locations.
In a 2-way switching system com, L1, and L2 are three terminals. Now connect 1st switch L1 to 2nd switch L1 and 1st switch L2 to 2nd switch L2. Then connect the power wire to the 1st and 2nd switch.
You may also like to read this article: When Do You Need to Hire an Electrician?
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