Steps Download Commodity

  1. one

    Make up one's mind where you desire to identify your switch. More often than not wall switches are on the right-manus side, a few feet/metres past the door opening. Become around your business firm and measure the height of other switches. 60" or i.5m from the flooring is common.

  2. ii

    Always turn off the power to the fixture. If at that place are other people in the home, always tell them that y'all take turned off the power, or leave a note on the breaker/fuse box and then someone doesn't accidentally turn it.[1] [ii]

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  3. three

    Measure the distance from your fixture to the location of your new switch...always add an actress 12" or thirty centimeter (eleven.8 in) to your measurement - it's e'er better to accept besides much electrical wire than non enough.

  4. 4

    Cheque your fixture with a power tester to ensure that there is no ability. Remove the black (or "hot") wire simply. Leave the white (or "neutral") and any ground (light-green or bare) wires on the fixture.[three]

  5. 5

    Strip 2"/5 centimeter (2.0 in) of the plastic sheathing from the end of the black and white wires.

  6. half-dozen

    Connect the black wire from the electric cablevision with the black wire you just removed from your fixture. Always use spiral-on wire connectors..never use electrical tape. Ensure that the connectedness is tight.[4]

  7. 7

    Using a black marker, "re-code" the white wire from your electrical cable to black. Mark on the plastic capsule with a permanent marker so that anyone will know this is now a "hot" wire.[5]

  8. viii

    Connect your re-coded "hot" wire to the fixture. You should now have a white and re-coded blackness wire on your fixture.

  9. 9

    At your new wall switch, pull all the wires through the dorsum of the electrical box. Strip black and white wires as in step five. Connect the ground wire to the electrical box itself (there should be a spiral at the back or side of the box).

  10. x

    You will need to re-code the white wire as a "hot" wire with a marker, as in step 7. [6]

  11. 11

    Screw the black wire to the top screw on your switch. This will be the meridian of your switch.

  12. 12

    Screw your newly re-coded 2d "hot" wire (white) to the lesser screw. Ensure that both screws are secure and screw the switch into the electric box. Practice not attach the cover until you bank check that everything functions correctly

  13. 13

    Flick the switch to the "off" position, then turn on power to the fixture.

  14. 14

    Test that your new switch works. If information technology does non, double cheque that you take not turned off the fixture from the chain/string.

  15. 15

    Y'all should always leave the light"on" at the chain/cord in order to take full control from the wall switch. You tin still employ the chain, however this defeats the purpose of having a wall switch.

  16. xvi

    Provided everything works, you can close up your light fixture and attach a switch plate cover.

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Add together New Question

  • Question

    How tin I add a pull string to overhead lighting?

    Community Answer

    You lot will have to supercede the existing fixture with one that includes a pull string.

  • Question

    I replaced an former outlet from two prong to a 3 prong. I replaced the wires exactly haw information technology was on the erstwhile outlet, only my tester reads "hot/neutral reversed." How do I ready this?

    Daverwaterloo

    Daverwaterloo

    Customs Respond

    The new outlet may be in a dissimilar configuration from the one-time i. New outlets have a left side that has a wider slot than the right side. The wider (left) slot is the neutral (white), while the narrower (right) side is the hot wire (black). Generally the hot side has a brass spiral and the neutral side has a silver spiral. You'll need to reverse the wires on the back of the outlet.

  • Question

    The overhead light in my dining room does not plough on later adding new light bulbs. How do I diagnose where the problem is?

    Daverwaterloo

    Daverwaterloo

    Community Answer

    Will it turn on if you remove and/or replace the new bulbs? If so, yous just have a defective bulb. If not, in that location may be a short somewhere in the circuit. To diagnose this, remove the light switch and ensure all the connections are tight and not touching other wires or the electrical box. If the switch is okay, check the light fixture that all the wiring is attached deeply and not touching other wires.

  • Question

    Is a new light switch necessary?

    Daverwaterloo

    Daverwaterloo

    Community Reply

    Not if yous don't heed manually turning the light on and off directly at the fixture. Most people find it easier and more convenient if they can switch on a ceiling low-cal fixture from a wall switch, especially at night.

  • Question

    The fixture is looped to another outlet. How do I add the switch without causing the outlet to exist switched as well?

    Daverwaterloo

    Daverwaterloo

    Community Answer

    Are yous certain it is looped to an outlet, not another light fixture? Nigh homes are wired with the wall outlets on separate circuits from lighting. If this is the instance, y'all tin't add a switch without switching the outlet too.

  • Question

    I wired the new switch using the same color wires and now the light just stays on. What did I do wrong?

    Community Answer

    Plough off the light with the chain. Now you can plow the light on or off with the wall switch.

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Video

  • To attach a wire to a screw, bend the bare wire to the left and slip it over the screw. When you lot tighten the screw, it will pull the wire downward.

  • An electric tester is a adept addition to any toolbox. They are inexpensive and can be bought at any dwelling house comeback/hardware store. Adhere one probe to each wire...if the tester glows..the line is "hot", if not, the ability has been turned off.

  • Before y'all attach wires with a screw-on connector, twist the wires together with pliers.

  • Needle-nosed pliers and a wire stripper are handy tools to have in your toolbox for doing any electrical work. They are besides inexpensive and volition save you lot time and allow you work "similar a pro".

  • Make certain you always use the proper connector on the electric box to secure the wires in place. With the connector in place, feed the wires through and secure them with attached clamp.

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  • Ensure that it is legal in your state/state to practise your own electrical work. If you are at all unsure, get a licensed electrician to do whatever electric piece of work in your domicile.

  • Always practice whatever electric piece of work carefully and neatly. Double cheque all connections are tight.

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References

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