Changing light switch?

Question

Is this hard to do? Do you need to turn the power off before doing it? My light switches are old and I want some new shiny ones!

Answer 1

It's not hard. Buy good switches, not cheap junk. I use spec grade only, they last longer. Most switches will have 2 wires connected. Some may have 3 or even 4 wires connected. You need the same switch as the one you are replacing. Yes, do turn off the power to the circuit you are working on. Connect the wires to the new switch the same way they are connected to the old switch. Do one switch at a time. Make sure the connections are tight. Try each one after you change it, so you know it works before moving on. This will limit any mistakes to one location only. Email if you need more help.

Answer 2

This is an easy do it yourself task. Yes turn off the power. Pull the plate off of the switch. There will be two screws that hold the switch in the box. Remove these screws and pull the switch out of the box. Disconnect the wires making sure to look at how they are attached to the old switch. make a diagram of the connections so you won't forget. Buy the new switch and reattach the wires and replace the switch and cover plate.
Good luck

Answer 3

I don't recommend anyone to change out switches unless I teach them myself. I don't really trust any suggestions either because majority of people don't know the real dangers involved. Is it simple? Yes, your basic single pole switch is pretty basic. Two positive connection and a ground on green screw if provided. Yet the wire itself is extremely particular in how you attach it. Also with multiple wires already in the same switch box you have to consider the density of the wires, the wire nuts and so on, all which add up to heat and degrades the wiring and switch. Even with those possibilities you are not even getting to the next most common type of switch: a 3way switch. I'll share with you a true story. I had a friend who has his Ph.D and 15+ years higher educational training in the medical field. He worked with me almost 2 years. Time passes and he moves on to better things, but he calls me one day and tells me his 3way switch isn't working and he can't fix it. I go over and fix it in no time flat because I do this type of stuff for a living. The point of the story? Changing switches is hard. Whoever tells you it is easy is plain ignorant to the dangers and the complexities involved.

Answer 4

Not hard to do. DO turn off power first. Just match the wiring from the old switch to the new one.

Bert

Answer 5

Are you talking about the light switch covers themselves?? They are easy to change out, and no you do not need to turn off the power, just don't stick something inside the circuit box itself or you might get zapped!

Answer 6

If you are only changing out the switch plates, there is no power involved. Home Depot and Loews have walls of switchplate covers for you to choose from. Just unscrew the old and add the new.

Answer 7

It is not hard to do. Yes...make sure you turn the breaker off before starting and test the circuit to make sure that it is off.
Follow the link below for instructions.

Answer 8

incredibly user-friendly if its a rocker change. turn off the circuit (you could have a fuse field on your abode, turn off the only that controls the lights furniture) there could be 2 screws on the front. undo those and the change assembly could pop off the front with the wires attatched. make an commentary of the place those bypass and detatch them. take your new change and attatch the wires. replace the change assembly, bypass back interior the fuse cabinet and turn the easy circuit back on. hi presto.

Answer 9

Yes, definitely turn off the power first!

It's a pretty easy fix if you're familiar with electricity.

Here's a good how-to:
http://www.ehow.com/how_117533_swap-faulty-light.html

Answer 10

there very easy. turn your power off.
then there are about 5 or 6 screws watch how you take the wires off so you know how to put them back on.
this is somthing you can do very easy.