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- Project Guide: Replacing a 3-Way Switch
Replacing a 3-Way Switch
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Materials:
Follow These Steps
Step One
| Turn Off Power |
| 1. | Turn off power at the circuit breaker or fuse. |
| 2. | Remove wall plate. |
| 3. | Use the tester to verify power is shut off. |
Step Two
| Remove and Inspect Switch and Wires |
| 1. | Remove mounting screws and gently pull the switch out of the wall box. |
| 2. | Inspect the wiring. A loose or broken wire could explain why the switch doesn’t work. |
| 3. | Disconnect wires – if the wires are stabbed into the back of the switch, insert a small flat head into the slot above the wire to release. If you are having problems, simply cut the wire. |
| 4. | When disconnecting the wires, mark the wire on the black or dark colored screw as common. Mark the wires on the brass or light colored screws as travelers. |
Step Three
| Prepare Wires for Connecting to the Switch |
| 1. | Remove insulation so ¾" of the copper conductor is showing. |
| 2. | Use long nose pliers to bend the end of each wire into a hook; make sure the hook is tight enough to fit around the terminal screw. |
Step Four
| Connect Wires to the New Switch |
| 1. | Unscrew terminal screws of the new switch until they are difficult to turn. |
| 2. | Connect ground wire to the green screw. |
| 3. | Connect the wire marked common to the black or dark colored screw. |
| 4. | Connect the two remaining traveler wires to the two brass or light colored screws. |
| 5. | Connect wires to screw terminals by slipping the looped wire under the head of the screw. The end of the loop should point clockwise. |
| 6. | Use long nose pliers to squeeze the wire end tight around the screw. |
| 7. | Tighten screw terminals. |
Step Five
| Wrap the Body of the Switch with Electrical Tape |
| Cover all terminals and bare wire with electrical tape for added safety. |
Step Six
| Place Switch in the Wall Box |
| 1. | Carefully bend the wires and push the switch into the wall box. |
| 2. | Tighten the mounting screws to secure the switch to the wall box. |
Step Seven
| Cover with Wall Plate |
| Tighten wall plate screws with flat head screwdriver. |
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