Light Switch Wiring Video

Light Switch Wiring

First step in any wiring project is to turn off the circuit breaker for that circuit. The wiring for a normal light switch consists of three wires. Two black wires and a grounding wire. The grounding screw on the light switch will be green.

The black wires can connect to either of the two screws on the side of the switch. Loop the wire onto the switch screw correctly so as the screw is tightened, the loop in the wire will close tighter.

Connect the bare copper grounding wire to the green grounding screw on the side of the light switch.

Once you have checked your connections, turn the circuit breaker on and flip the switch.

Read why light switches might catch fire in my March 11, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. This popular column was featured also in the December 10, 2013 Newsletter.