Electrical Light Switch Wiring

Understanding the basic light switch for home electrical wiring. Another nm cable connects from the light fixture box to the switch box.

How To Wire A 3 Way Light Switch Family Handyman

Simply strip the wire to the length specified and push the wire into the hole.

Electrical light switch wiring. The easiest wiring of a light switch you can do is with a single pole standard light switch. It is just one of those essential skills that every diyer should be feel confident doing. With a pair of 3 way switches either switch can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

While a normal light switch needs to be only a single pole single throw switch multiway. Connect the source wire to the bottom terminal of the switch and the other black wire to the top terminal. For example this allows lighting in a hallway stairwell or large room to be controlled from multiple locations.

In this picture you can see the strip gauge on the back of the switch. Wiring of 3 way light switches is certainly more complicated than that of the more common single pole switch but you can figure it out if you follow our 3 way switch wiring diagram. In the diagram below right a 2 wire nm cable that connects the light fixture to the switch carries 2 line wires one line and one switched line.

In building wiring multiway switching is the interconnection of two or more electrical switches to control an electrical load often but not always lighting from more than one location. Wiring a light switch is probably one of the simplest wiring tasks most homeowners will have to undertake. To illustrate the wiring of these switches switch boxes and fixture boxes are not shown but are obviously required for every application.

These diagrams are shown as using the romex wiring method. Whether you have power coming in through the switch or from the lights these switch wiring diagrams will show you the light. The red and black are used for hot and the white neutral wire at the switch box allows for powering a timer remote control or other programmable switch.

This gauge is when you want to use the quick connect method when wiring a light switch. To wire a 3 way light switch youll need 2 3 way light switches 2 2 wire non metallic cables 1 3 wire non metallic cable and 2 6 inch grounding wires. Need a light switch wiring diagram.

Wiring a three way light switch. The video covers how to wire a basic 15 amp single pole light switch with 142 electrical wire. In the tutorial viewers will see the use of.

First run a 2 wire cable from the wall power to the black screw on 1 of the switches. Wire strippers utility knife needle nose pliers and. This light switch wiring diagram page will help you to master one of the most basic do it yourself projects around your house.

Because the electrical code as of the 2011 nec update requires a neutral wire in most new switch boxes a 3 wire cable runs between the light and switch. With alternate light switch wiring an nm cable supplies line voltage from the electrical panel to a light fixture outlet box.