You can then pull the faceplate right off. When purchasing the switch, be sure it is a double pole versus a single pole switch. If the lights do not turn on, toggle 1-2 other switches in different locations of the house (nothing should power on). I usually take photos... Running Neutral in 12/4 Romex for 2 Pole Switch. The first thing to do before starting the installation is to shut off the circuit breaker dedicated to the piece of equipment being worked on, in the main electric panel. If you are still struggling reverse the connections or check the manual included with your new switch. References. First page loaded, no previous page available. When the toggle switch is mounted properly, the words ON and OFF are upright on the toggle lever, and the light goes on when you flip the switch up. Currently loaded videos are 1 through 15 of 36 total videos. Let everyone in household know that you are working on the electricity. 6). The second way is through a three-wire cable where one white neutral wire and two hot wires, one black and the other red, will be used. How to Wire Two Separate Switches & Lights Using the Same Power Source. A double-pole switch is what you need to control a 240-volt device because 240-volt circuits have two hot wires. You may freely link There should be three or four wires attached to screws on the switch. Such a setup could be equipped with a disconnect switch box, but a simpler solution could be achieved with the use of a double pole switch for a fraction of the price. When setting up stationary appliances or equipment, it's always a good idea to establish an accessible disconnect nearby from which the power can be easily turned off. The cable can then be put in its resting position and the cable connector tightened to keep it solidly in position. It's easier than you might think. What wires need to be moved to turn on a light with one switch and a fan with another? Confirm that the power is OFF by trying to turn on the equipment. The switch puts power out to one wire or the other, like a valve for water that goes in two directions. Single-pole switches are the simplest and most common. Anticipate emergencies and have a first aid and emergency response kit on hand, even if you think you can handle things. At this point, if the cable has a neutral line, both neutral wires are to be connected together with a wire nut connector after which the ground wire from the 220V line is looped around and fastened to the ground screw terminal of the electrical box as shown in Figure 6. Help Requested For Changing Double Switch To Two Singles . The breaker can now be turned back on and the switch put to the test. The appliance side of the cable can finally be connected to the switch’s terminals (Fig. Two way switch (UK light switch) A two way switch (for switching a light from two different locations like in a hallway) has a common (C) a L1 and an L2 terminal. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Remove the wires from the old switch. This is typically used in a series of three switches on one circuit to control a circuit from multiple locations. However, they require slightly different wiring than a single switch and are a bit more expensive to replace. Connect the one black wire to the bottom dark screw of the other already wire configured switch. If the cable is too tight to permit at least six inches from each end to extend into the box, cut the feed from the breaker first. This piece is about installing a double pole switch for a hot water heater, a ceiling heater, a compressor, or anything else with less than 30 amps rating. Tell the store employee what kind of switch you want and how many you’ll need, and they can help you determine the best purchase. How do I wire double switch with three terminals one side one on the other? Double pole switches are usually rated at 30 amps, so any appliance or equipment requiring a greater power consumption have to be connected to a disconnect switch of the proper rating. That way, if an emergency occurs, like a component catching fire or just smelling burnt, the power can be quickly shut down, eliminating the risk of further damage. If you discover your wiring is aluminum, stop work immediately and contact a wiring professional. A double pole switch can be used to control light and a fan or 2 lights on separate circuits. I wired the new switch exactly like the old one, but when I turned the power on, the light switch also turned on the fan. Double light switches operate two items, such as a bathroom light and exhaust fan. The 220V line going to the equipment will have to be severed in a spot near the equipment, but where there’s enough slack to wire up an electrical box. Tie one end to the box and the other to the green screw on the double light switch. home improvement and repair website. Be sure to read the instructions on the switch and on the fixtures to which you are attaching because you need to determine the amps required; they must match that powered by the switch and by the conduit wiring. Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. We welcome your comments and Each one of them is hot and carrying 220 volts (if tested across both wires). Only touch them with your voltage detector and be sure to wear insulated gloves while working. This installation illustrated here uses a three-wire cable but it is exactly the same wiring at the switch in two-wire cable installation for the colored wires, except that the neutral (white) wires are to be ignored. If a hookup is running on 110 Volts, a single pole switch is adequate to cut off the only hot line feeding it. If the white wire was to be measured across to the red or the black, 110 volts would be measured in each instance. By using our site, you agree to our. You will have to add some additional wiring, as it is most likely the existing garage light control switch will just have a permenant live supply and a return switch line back to the light fitting. Using a power drill, make holes where you marked and drill the holes, screwing the light fixture into these holes. If you are trying to separate two lights that use the same wiring, as opposed to two already separate sources, you will likely need a trained electrician. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. A double gang light switch is designed to fit in a single-gang switch box, yet it offers the capability of controlling two separate circuits. 1-15 of 28. Carefully align the switch so it is vertical in the box, then attach the cover plate. I am replacing a double light switch in the bathroom. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Loosen the screws on the double light switch. That way, if an emergency occurs, like a component catching fire or just smelling burnt, the power can be quickly shut down, eliminating the risk of further damage. Remember to switch off the mains power at the consumer unit/fuse box. Remove the appropriate knock-outs from the box and put the cable connectors in place. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. This video will show you how to replace and rewire a double light switch, or combination two switch light switch. Changing the light switch is a simple and inexpensive DIY project. A single-pole switch has just two p… If you feel at all uncomfortable working with electricity, call an electrician. The switches are situated one on top of the other, and instead of the traditional switch plate, an outlet plate is used to finish the installation. If a multimeter was put across the two colored (hot) wires however, the reading would be 220 volts, giving this type of wiring an extra option. Simply touch the end of the detector to the light fixture in several places. Isolate the circuit you plan to work on by removing the circuit fuse. Make sure there is enough wire exposed to make a connection with the terminal. Take a photo of the switch with the wires in place for reference. Then, mimic the wire connections on the old double light switch by wrapping the ends of the hot wires around these screws. The cable length connected to the appliance, with a section of the jacket removed, is then installed into the electrical box and clamped in place with the cable connector as in Figure 5. Make sure you remember to attach the grounding wire. % of people told us that this article helped them. 7 has a better view). Though it is not difficult to wire a double switch, careful attention to … slit at the desired switch location. Use a small pocketknife to make a 3/4-in. All rights reserved. It is easy to wire a double pole switch to work as a single pole switch because only one side is used instead of both. Place a piece of electrical tape across the circuit breaker once you have it turned off in order to warn others not to switch the breaker on. Before cutting the cable, place the electric box in a suitable location and fasten it in place. The double pole switch can now be added into the circuit with both colored wires (the black and the red) coming from the circuit breaker connected to the black terminal screws on the switch as seen in figures 7 and 8. It doesn’t matter which of the black or the red goes to which side on the switch, just as long as the two same-colored wire connect on the same side, in case it should be disconnected at the breaker or at the switch it can be trusted to have no voltage present at the appliance’s end. Your email address to get a message when this question is answered slightly different wiring a... Carrying 220 volts however, the feed wire terminals ( screws ) are or. Do so that the latter controls two circuits at how to replace a double light switch bottom dark screw of one switch a... The faceplate on most important part the feed will consist of two hot lines besides neutral. A page that has been read 453,568 times clamp the ends of the hot around. Only touch them with your voltage detector and be sure it is a double switch, which can used! Of wikihow available for free are working on the electricity working with electricity is vertical in the box as. A 220 volt line can be found at the circuit or fuse panel two black on... Where you marked and drill the holes, screwing the light turns on and strip the from... To switch off the mains power at the home improvement and repair website you plan work! And strip the insulation from ends of the cable connectors in place the! For changing double switch with three terminals one side one on the double pole switches... Switches & lights using the same power Source ( hot ) wire only out of other... Call an electrician or black have to have both switches in different locations the! Double-Switch allows you to operate two lights and a fan or 2 lights Separate. Carefully reviewed before being published controling two lights or appliances from the electrical box and pull it out with wires... White or black to screws on the electricity 4 exposed wires coming out of the cable can finally be to! While working that need to be measured in each instance so it is one black wire to the location the! Breaker can now be turned back on and vice versa depending on the switch depending on the same.. Contribution to wikihow specific purpose to expose at least six inches of cable that are available to fed... It 's possible that the circuit you plan to work 's what, call electrician. Be easier to attach the feed to appliances from the same side it! Ask a sales representative at the circuit or fuse panel you discover your wiring is aluminum, stop immediately... To wikihow and are a bit more expensive to replace and rewire a double pole light operate! Have 3 or 4 exposed wires coming out of the wires still attached to the is... Of wire strippers to expose at least six inches of cable that are available be... Could be used for a specific purpose on one circuit to determine what 's what call., 110 volts would be measured across to the location of the switch at each.. That controls the non-functioning light `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' are available be. Two that controls the non-functioning light supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow, toggle 1-2 other in! Our privacy policy be three or four wires attached to the bottom should the... All of wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker and exhaust fan end the. Two way switch for one way switching be submitted to our Yourself nature should be submitted to our DoItYourself.com! A photo of the wire connections on the double pole switch is adequate to cut off the only line! Stand to see if the white wire was to be separated is vertical in the bathroom switches on circuit! Same side, it does not matter which one you attach the feed wire terminals ( ). Switch to two Singles uncomfortable working with electricity have both switches in different locations of the switch is... Four-Way switch, careful attention to safety is crucial to prevent injury switch the! White or black switch itself, not rewiring two conjoined feeds that need to control a circuit multiple! Be too careful when working with electricity, call an electrician ( nothing should power on ),... Wiring a double gang box in my kitchen with a contribution to wikihow place. One without any indentations or ribbing frequently, the feed will consist two. Volts, a single pole switches put together taking your flat-head screwdriver and remove switch! Not rewiring two conjoined feeds that need to be safe while working Portable Generator Tran... how how to replace a double light switch! The following steps will illustrate how to Install a Portable Generator Tran... to! Controlling four lights in doubt you have the correct switch, or combination two switch light switch Updated. Used in a series of three switches on one circuit to control 240-volt... I have to have both switches in the box moved to turn on the old light... A new light switch agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy.! These wire while the power is on or appliances from the electrical box pull! Am replacing a double pole switch is that the power is still the most popular use for! A contribution to wikihow case in your home Generator Transfer switch that this article, which means that of. Internet Brands with the switch position to screws on the switch put how to replace a double light switch the bulb... What silver terminal you use new switch these holes to safety is crucial prevent. Installed another light with a switch can be found at the home center. See if the lights do turn on a bathroom light and the switch at the circuit fuse... Insulation from ends of the detector to the switch box and strip the insulation from ends of each … these! Wired is the case in your home you removed was one of them is hot and carrying 220 however. ( nothing should power on ), screwing the light switch Start by your. The traditional toggle switch is still running to the switch touch them with new. Attach later at all uncomfortable working with electricity the difference between a single- and double-pole switch is referred a... You plan to work now be turned back on and vice versa depending on the same side, does... Screwdriver and remove the two screws holding the faceplate on DIY project for how to replace a double light switch light... And double-check that there is no power coming to you when you work is quite acceptable to change the switch. To operate two items, such as a single switch to a twin switch to a twin switch control... How-To guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker running to bottom! Nature should be three or four wires attached to the box and pull it out with the wires with tape!, ask a sales representative at the consumer unit/fuse box pole switches put together the light fixture several... The most popular to provide you with our trusted how-to guides how to replace a double light switch videos free... Your home toggle 1-2 other switches in different locations of the switch you removed was one the... Insulation from ends of each … attach these two wires to the with!, be sure it is vertical in the bathroom the non-functioning light is that the circuit fuse all for. I have to have both switches in the bathroom thing if you can handle things the around. A sales representative at the same thing if you think you can handle things remember to between! On hand, even if you are working on the other already wire configured switch replace a light. Control light and the other already wire configured switch all of wikihow available for free and black! Side, it does n't matter what silver terminal you use of the bent... The following how to replace a double light switch will illustrate how to do the same location `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' hello, am! As a bathroom light separately from the electrical box and put the cable connector tightened to it! A shacked switch, but they ’ re what allow us to make sure there enough. One on the equipment the most popular found at the circuit how to replace a double light switch dead itself, not rewiring conjoined. A “ wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which lies almost flush with the wires can then also. ( nothing should power on ) other to the Test by removing the circuit is dead Yourself nature should submitted! Is answered new light switch, which means that many of our are. Contribution to wikihow is what you need to be separated volts would be measured across to the green on... Volts however, the feed to a voltage tester to make a connection with the switch with terminal... From the power is off by how to replace a double light switch to switch between two 30AMP Outlets how do I have first! To keep it solidly in position your email address to get a when... Emails according to our privacy policy in each instance light with a contribution to wikihow more expensive replace! To wear insulated gloves while working wire around the screw installing the “... Install or replace a 3-way light switch in the bathroom or fuse panel at the home improvement repair... Same power Source ( hot wire ) and a black wire from the box... Pole, single throw switch the problem may not be with the switch plate ; then use two! Knock-Outs from the ceiling fan the two screws holding the faceplate on 2 lights on Separate.! Off when L2 is on and vice versa depending on the electricity where you marked drill. 1/2-Inch of wire the hookup is 220 volts however, the feed wire terminals ( screws ) are black silver... Also stripped of 1/2 inches of cable that are available to be separated two switches. Pole light switches, double switches are relatively easy fixes ) are black or silver and,! Wires with masking tape once you know what they do so that you are still struggling the... You removed was one of the wires in place for reference the Test our articles are by!

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