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- Project Guide: Replacing a Single Pole Switch
Replacing a Single Pole Switch
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Follow These Steps
Step One
| Turn Off Power |
| 1. | Turn off power at the circuit breaker or fuse. |
| 2. | Remove the 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. | Remove wires from the device and trim exposed copper. If the wires are stabbed into the back, cut the wire as close as possible to the device. |
| 4. | Remove all damaged wire. |
Step Three
| Prepare Wires for Connecting to the Switch |
| 1. | Remove insulation so ¾ in. 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 black wire to a brass screw terminal by looping the wire in a clockwise direction. |
| 3. | Connect white wire to the other brass screw terminal by looping the wire in a clockwise direction. |
| 4. | Connect the copper ground wire to the green ground screw by looping the wire in a clockwise direction. |
| 5. | Use long nose pliers to squeeze the wire ends tight around each screw. |
| 6. | 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 |
| 1. | Install the wall plate. |
| 2. | Restore power. |
| 3. | Test the switch. |
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