How to Hook Up a Two-Way Light Switch
- 1). Turn off power to the switches you will be working with from the main breaker box. Use a screwdriver to loosen all the screws on both sides of the new switch. Remove the screws holding the switch plate to the wall.
- 2). Use a multimeter to make sure there is no power running through the wires. Remove the screws holding the old light switch in place. Pull the light switch out of the wall. Loosen the screws on the side of the switch so you can remove the wires.
- 3). Use a wire stripper to take off the last 1/2 inch of rubber coating on the white and black wire sticking out from the switchbox. The stripped, copper wire is the grounding wire. If the wires are already stripped and there is enough exposed wire for you to work with, you can skip this step.
- 4). Bend the ends of all three wires into a "U" shape using a pliers. Hook the hot, white wire around the top screw on the side of the switch with two screws and the neutral, black wire around the bottom screw. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws enough to hold the wires in place.
- 5). Hook the bare, grounding wire over the screw on the opposite side of the switch. Tighten the screw to hold the wire in place. Gently push all three wires into the electrical box so that the switch will be flush with the wall.
- 6). Screw the light switch onto the electrical box. Put a screw in the holes on the top and bottom of the light switch face. Tighten them a bit, adjust the light switch so that it is centered and level and then finish securing it in place.
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