Sometimes, a light switch stops working due to some problem, leaving you with an idea that your lights have fused. That too is a possibility but in case your lights are in a good condition and you are still unable to turn them on, you need to fix your light switch instead or trying any other idea. It is easy and you can do it yourself.
How to Replace a Light Switch
Follow this step-to-step guide to replace your light switch.
- You need to buy a new light switch which suits your requirement. For a single light, you should buy a single pole light switch. But if you want to operate more than one lights using a single light switch, you can look for other available types of light switches that are helpful.
- Take all the necessary tools with you. You don’t need much except a screwdriver and a voltage tester for replacing a light switch.
- Before you start fixing your light switch, you must turn off the main power and use a voltage tester to double check that there is no flow of electric current in the switch boards.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the covering plate of the light switch; and use your voltage tester once again to make sure there is no flow of electricity. Otherwise, it might be dangerous because sometimes, due to some fault, the flow of electricity still remains in the wires even after you have turned off the main switch of power supply. If the voltage tester shows some positive results, you need to check your main power supply again and make sure that it is off.
- After uncovering the switch board, you will find that the light switch is fixed inside the board with screws; remove all of them along with the wires which would come out once you unscrew the light switch.
- Make sure that you remember the order of the wires in which the light switch was installed because you will have to fix the new light switch in the same order. If it is too complicated for you to remember the entire sequence, you can simply note down the details on a paper.
- Fix the new light switch in the same position as the previous light switch had; insert the wires in the same order; and fix the light switch in the board and then in the wall by tightening its screws
- Turn the main supply on and relax. That is all what it takes for fixing a light switch board.
In case you don’t get any power in your newly installed light switch, you need to repeat the same procedure and check that you wiring follows exactly the same order as you had noted on a paper. If the order isn’t right, correct it carefully. You don’t have to ask for any kind of professional help in this process. |
