#Two lights on one switch with the power at the fixture install#
For many of these configurations, the best course is to hire a professional to install your 3-way switch to ensure everything is done safely and correctly. If you find these configurations too difficult to picture, rest assured you are not alone. Power to switch – splits to switch and light.Power to light – splits to two 3-way switches.Power to light – splits to switch and to light – light to switch.Power to light to light to switch to switch.Power to switch to light to light to switch.Power to switch to switch to light to light.Power to switch to switch to single light.There are a number of configurations that can be used for wiring a 3-way switch. However, it can be done with a little patience and attention to detail. Installing a 3-way light switch is a much more involved process than installing a single pole light switch. Push the switch into the box and secure it with screws at the top and bottom.Hook the white wire to the top terminal on the switch.Hook the black wire to the bottom terminal on the switch.Hook the bare wire to the box and to the switch.If your box is configured in this way, you will see one black, one white, and one bare wire coming from the box.įollow these simple steps to install your new light switch (or look at this diagram): This is the easiest configuration with which to work. Turn on the power, and test your switch.įor the second configuration, the power comes from the light to the switch.Insert your light switch into the box and secure it with a screw at the top and bottom of your switch.Once again, remember to ensure that you have a tight connection. Hook the loop you just created around the green ground screw at the bottom of your light switch.Use your needle-nose pliers to create a 180 degree loop at its end. You should now have a remaining loose bare copper wire.Repeat the exact same process with the loop from your second black wire.It is very important to ensure that the screw is extremely tight, because a loose connection can lead to an electrical fire. Hook the loop around the contact point and tighten the screw in a clockwise manner. Once your loops are created, attach one of the loops to the contact point on your light switch.Twist the end 180 degrees, forming a nice, neat loop. Use your needle-nose pliers to grip the end of one of your black wires.Twist together the two white wires and cap them securely with a wire nut.Once the copper wires are twisted together, apply a wire nut to the end securely. Locate an additional copper wire and combine it with the two copper wires by using your pliers to twist it into a “pigtail”.Once this is completed, follow the steps below to proceed with installation of your light switch (or check out this diagram): Using a wire stripper, strip off approximately ¾ inch off the tips of all the black and white wires.Once you have done that for both wires coming out of the box, you will see two black wires, two white wires, and two bare copper wires. Cut off sheathing and any brown paper you may find inside the sheathing. Using a utility knife, score through the middle of your sheathing approximately 6 inches.In this case, perform these extra steps to prepare the wires for installation of the switch: Note: If the box is newly installed, these wires may not yet be visible, and you may simply see two sheathed white or gray 14/2 wires coming from the wall. In this case, you will see two black wires (hot), two white wires (neutral), and two bare copper wires (ground) coming from the box in your wall. Important: Before working with wiring of any sort, be sure to turn the power off at your electrical panel to ensure your safety.įor the first configuration, the power comes to the switch and then goes to the light. For both configurations, you will need the following materials: There are two basic wiring configurations for installation of a single pole light switch. Steps for Wiring a Single Pole Light Switch Whichever light switch project you need done, if you are unsure or uncomfortable about handling a wiring project, the better course is to find an electrician near you that will ensure that the job is done correctly.
While many home DIY warriors choose to tackle the job on their own, a good number also decide that the $145 cost to professionally install a lightswitch is well worth the money. It can still be done, if you carefully label your wires and pay attention to detail. If you want to install a 3-way light switch, however, the job becomes a little more complicated. Installation of a single pole light switch, which is just a plain light switch with no extras, is quite easy. If you enjoy doing the occasional project around the house, wiring a basic light switch is one of the simplest DIY wiring jobs to complete.
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