Is your light switch not working? There’s no need to stay in the dark. ForRent.com is here to brighten your day by showing how you can fix a broken light switch. Here’s a quick layout of what you will need:
-Determine the replacement light switch you need.
-Single-pole
-Three-way
-Four-way
-Double-pole
-Before starting, cut the power to the light switch before making repairs.
-You don’t want to get electrocuted.
-Unscrew the wall plate from the wall.
-Then unscrew the switch from the junction box.
-Next, unscrew the wires connected to the outlet switch.
-Remember which wire goes in which terminal.
-Match up the wires to their terminals and screw them in.
-The neutral wire is white and goes with the silver screw.
-The hot wire is black (sometimes red) and connects to the brass screw.
-The ground wire is green or bare copper and goes with the green screw or the electrical box.
-Screw the switch into the junction box.
-Replace the wall plate.
Determine the replacement light switch you need. A single-pole switch is the most common — it controls power through flipping the switch on or off. You may also need to check out three-way and four-way switches, along with double-pole switches.
Replacing a light switch is actually pretty simple, but first things first — and this is important: remember to cut the power to it before making repairs. You don’t want to get electrocuted.
Unscrew the wall plate from the wall with a flathead screwdriver. Then unscrew the switch from the junction box. Next you’ll want to unscrew the wires connected to the outlet switch with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pay attention to which wire goes in which terminal.
With the new switch in hand, match up the wires to their terminals and screw them in. The neutral wire is white and goes with the silver screw. The hot wire is black and connects to the brass screw (note that the hot wire is sometimes red). The ground wire is either green or bare copper and goes with the green screw or the electrical box.
Then screw the switch into the junction box. Replace the wall plate.
You’ve now successfully learned how to replace a light switch.
Get started today on your search for your next apartment home on ForRent.com.
*We can’t promise you that the following techniques won’t get you in trouble with your property manager. Before you start any of these projects, make sure that you get written permission.