Light switch connection is usually straight forward. Find your incoming hot wires, black and white. With the switch in the off (down) position and the power disconnected , connect the black wire to the top screw of the switch. Find the load wires and connect the black to the bottom screw of the switch. Connect the two remaining white wires together with a wire nut and push them to the back of the switch box. Install the switch into the wall box, replace switch plate cover. Turn the breaker (power) back on. Flip the switch to the up position and the light should come on.
Chat with our AI personalities
To wire a basic off switch to a light, you will need to connect the switch in line with the hot wire (typically black) leading to the light fixture. The wiring involves cutting the hot wire and connecting each end to the terminals on the switch. Make sure to turn off the power supply before working on the wiring for safety.
To wire a light and switch using 2-wire Romex, connect the black wire to the brass screw on the switch, the white wire to the light fixture, and the white wire to the silver screw on the switch. Make sure to cap the unused wire at both ends for safety. Be sure to turn off the power before starting and consult a professional if you are unsure.
To replace the dimmer switch with a regular switch, connect one black wire to the switch's black screw, the other black wire to the switch's red screw, the two white wires together with a wire nut, and two ground wires to the green screw on the switch. The red wire is likely a traveler wire for a three-way switch setup, so it can be capped off with a wire nut. Be sure to turn off the power before making any connections.
A switch leg is a wire that runs between a switch and the electrical load it controls, such as a light or a receptacle. It carries the electrical current from the switch to the load and is typically the hot wire in a switch loop configuration.
The black wire is typically the hot wire that carries the electrical current, while the red wire is often used as a traveler wire. Connect the black wire to one terminal of the light switch and the red wire to the other terminal. Make sure to turn off the power before wiring the switch to avoid electrical shock.
The switched live wire in a ceiling light typically connects to the live terminal of the light fixture. This wire carries the electrical current and is controlled by the light switch to turn the light on and off. Make sure to turn off the power before making any electrical connections.