how do i change a light switch?

Answer 1

Better call an electrician. You will most likelky get electricuted.

Answer 2

First of all you will need some tools. A regular medium size screwdriver, a medium size thompson screwdriver, a needle nose pliers, a regular medium size pliers. Now go find your power box, the grey metal box in the wall about six or seven feet off the floor, by the door, or in a closet, or in your basement. This is the place to flip the switch that will turn the power off to the light switch. After you turn of the juice, take your screwdriver and take the plastic plate off the light switch. Remove the screws and the plate and place them to the side where you will find them later. Now unscrew the holding screw that holds the switch in the electrical box. Pull the loosed switch out with your fingers. Unscrew the wiring and rewire the new switch with the same configuration. Make sure the black (It should be black) ground wire is screwed down onto the box connection. Push the new switch into the box and screw it in place. Put the switch cover back on and go turn on the power at the main box that you found and disabled before starting. Flip the power back on then try your new switch. Bobs your Uncle.

Answer 3

1. Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse box. Test by flipping the switch on to make sure the power is off. Tag the circuit box 'Man at Work' or something similar so no one mistakenly turns the power back on while you're working.

2. With a screwdriver, remove the two screws holding the cover plate and take the plate off. (The cover plate is the piece of metal or plastic covering the switch.)

3. Remove the two mounting screws holding the switch in place inside the electrical box.

4. Pull the switch out of the wall. The switch should come out a few inches, exposing the wires.

5. Remove the screws holding the two wires coming out of the wall to the switch, making sure to tag which wire came from which screw (they are usually color coded) with colored pens and tape.

6. Take the switch to the hardware store and get another one exactly like it. Ask a salesperson for help if necessary.

7. Take the new switch home and hold it up to the wall, right side up, so that the word 'off' appears when the switch is in the off position.

8. Attach the wires to the screws on the switch's back according to the tags you made earlier.

9. Secure the new switch in the box with mounting screws.

10. Replace the switch cover.

11. Turn the main power back on and test your work.


Tips:
Marking which wire came from which screw prevents wiring mixups in case you are unknowingly working with a three-way switch - a single light controlled from two locations.

You can purchase an inexpensive circuit tester at your local hardware store.

Answer 4

Make sure you turn the power off first!! As you take the old switch off put a different coloured tape on each wire and also on the place on the new switch where the wire is going to go. (Make sure you have enough colours for the number of wires, I think there are 3 or 4) That's how I did it when I changed mine. As you connect each wire remove the tapes one at a time so the others are still marked and all should be well.

Answer 5

remove the face plate. pull the switch out of the wall a little ways and loosen the screws holding the wires. remove the wires from the switch. attach wires to new switch. push it back into the wall and put your faceplate back on.
oh yeah, don't forget to turn off the power to the switch at the breaker box.

Answer 6

VERY CAREFULLY! Seriously , turn the breaker off to that switch, remove the cover plate from the switch and then remove the wires from the old switch and connect them to the new switch, put the switch cover back on turn the breaker back on and wammo you are done..

Answer 7

1 Buy a new one,
2 switch of power,
3 remove old one,
4 wire in new one,
5 but dont get your wires crossed,
6 switch power back on,
7when it goes bang,
8switch of power,
9change the wires round,
10 repeat stages 7,8,9 until it does not go bang

Answer 8

Flick the breaker switch for your lighting then change the wires like for like,the easiest way is to swap wires one at time.

Answer 9

Your not supposed to, you need to get an electrician out. But if you decide to change it, make sure you turn the electric off before you start.

Answer 10

firstly say goodbye to everyone you know....then follow some half baked instructions that you don't really understand then call the fire service to damp down what's left of your house......OR Get an electrician or a competant person to do it!