Trystan Casey
Changing a double electrical switch can be a simple process, but it requires careful attention to safety precautions to prevent injury. Before beginning any electrical work, it is crucial to cut off the power supply to the room by switching off the mains power at the consumer unit or fuse box. Additionally, always check and double-check that there is no power running to the switch you are working on. Once the power is cut off, the old switch can be unscrewed and removed, revealing the attached wires. It is recommended to take a picture or draw a diagram of the original wiring configuration for reference. The wires can then be detached, and the new double switch can be installed by connecting the wires to the appropriate terminals. Double switches, or double pole switches, allow separate control of power to multiple devices or lights from a single switch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a double switch? | A double switch, sometimes called a "double pole," allows you to control the power being sent to multiple places from the same switch. |
| When to call an electrician | If you are trying to separate two lights that use the same wiring, as opposed to two already separate sources, you will likely need a trained electrician. |
| Safety precautions | Always cut the power to the room you're working in. Check and double-check that there is no power coming to you when you work. |
| First steps | Unscrew the old switch and pull it off the wall. Remove both screws and set them aside for later. Take a picture of the current fixture for future reference. |
| Wires | There will be two neutral wires connecting to your two appliances, and each one will correspond to a switch on your double switch when you are done. The grounding wire, often green, yellow, or bare copper, helps to protect the switch and your house from an electrical short. |
| Next steps | Unscrew and detach all of the wires from the old switch. Feed and connect the wires into the double switch fixture. |
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What You'll Learn
Cut the power to the room
To cut the power to the room you're working in, you'll need to locate your home's service panel. This is usually the circuit breaker, which looks like a control panel with a hinged door and a number of breakers inside, often in two columns. Homes in Sonoma and Marin County typically have them in a basement, laundry room, or outside. If you have an older home, you might have a fuse box instead.
Once you've located the circuit breaker, open the door to access the breakers inside. These will look like toggle switches, with a main breaker at the top. There may be a list to indicate which breakers control which parts of the house, or they may be labelled right next to them or in a diagram on the door.
To cut the power to the room, flip the corresponding lever to the "off" position. Test the device to make sure the power is off before working on it. If you can't find the breaker that controls the room, you can turn off all the breakers at once by flipping the main breaker.
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Remove the old switch
Before you begin, it is important to take safety precautions. Make sure to cut the power to the room you are working in by heading to your circuit breaker and turning off the electricity flow. You can check if the power is off with a socket tester or voltage tester/meter. Always double-check that there is no power running to the switch before you start work.
Now, you can begin to remove the old switch. First, unscrew the switch and pull it off the wall. There should be two screws attaching the fixture to the wall, and three or four wires attached to screws on the switch. Remove both screws and set them aside. Pull off the fixture gently, removing it from the small switch box embedded in the wall.
Next, you will need to detach the wires from the old switch. There will be two neutral wires, which are often, but not always, white. These correspond to the two switches on your double switch. The grounding wire, which is for the protection of the switch and your house in the case of an electrical short, is often green, yellow, or bare copper, and is attached to a green screw. If your switch has a grounding wire, detach this carefully.
Before you detach the remaining wires, take a picture of the current fixture for future reference. If you are not an experienced electrician, you could also draw a simple diagram to help you remember how the wires are placed. Note each wire and the location it is attached. Now, carefully unscrew and detach all of the remaining wires from the old switch.
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Identify the wires
Before attempting to change a double electrical switch, it is important to identify the wires involved. Firstly, ensure you have cut the power to the room you are working in by heading to your circuit breaker and turning off the electricity flow. You can then proceed to remove the old switch by unscrewing it and pulling it off the wall. There will typically be three or four wires attached to screws on the switch, but they are usually not labelled. Therefore, you will need to determine which wire is which through some simple tests.
The feed wire is always running with electricity and is considered a "hot wire". This wire sends electricity to the switch, allowing it to control the power to the light, fan, or other appliances. There will also be two neutral wires connecting to your two appliances, and each one will correspond to a switch on your double switch. Neutral wires are often, but not always, white.
The grounding wire, which is typically green, yellow, or bare copper and attached to a green screw, is crucial for protecting the switch and your house from an electrical short. Some older switches may not have grounding wires as they were not legally required in all houses during certain periods.
To help with identification, take a picture of the current fixture or draw a simple diagram. Note each wire and its location, as well as any distinguishing characteristics such as colour or markings. It is important to be cautious when working with electricity and to follow safety precautions. If you are unsure about any aspect of the process, it is recommended to consult a qualified electrician.
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Take a picture of the fixture for reference
Before you begin to change a double electrical switch, it is important to take safety precautions. Make sure to cut the power to the room you are working in by heading to your circuit breaker and turning off the electricity flow. You can use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is off. Always be cautious when working with electricity.
Now, take a picture of the current fixture for future reference. This is especially helpful if you are not an experienced electrician. The picture will allow you to see how the wires are placed and help you understand the wiring process better. Make sure to note each wire and the location it is attached to. You can also draw a simple diagram if you prefer a visual representation.
Taking a picture of the fixture will serve as a visual guide during the installation process. It will help you identify the different wires and their connections. This is crucial when you start detaching and reconnecting the wires to ensure that they are properly placed.
Additionally, the reference picture can be useful for troubleshooting in case any issues arise after the installation. If you encounter any problems with the switch or need to make adjustments, you can refer back to the picture to identify any discrepancies or errors. Having a visual record of the original setup can expedite the troubleshooting process and make it more accurate.
Remember, working with electricity can be dangerous, so it is always recommended to seek professional help if you are unsure or uncomfortable with any part of the process. Your safety should be the top priority.
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Attach the wires to the new switch
Before attaching the wires to the new switch, it is important to cut off the power supply to the room you're working in. Head to your circuit breaker and turn off the electricity. You can confirm whether the circuit is dead and safe to work on with a socket tester or voltage tester/meter.
Now, let's attach the wires to the new switch:
First, detach all the wires from the old switch. There should be three or four wires attached to screws on the switch. These wires are usually not labelled, so you will need to identify them through simple tests. One of them is the feed wire, which is always running with electricity and is typically red, yellow, or brown (or red, yellow, and blue if using old cable colours). It sends electricity to the switch, controlling whether to send power to the light, fan, etc. There will also be two neutral wires, which are often, but not always, white. They correspond to the two switches on your double switch. The grounding wire, often green, yellow, or bare copper, helps protect the switch and your house from electrical shorts. It is attached to a green screw.
Once you have identified the wires, you can attach them to the new switch. The specific connections will depend on the type of switch you have. For example, if you have an intermediate switch with four terminals, connect the black cores to the top and bottom terminals on one side and the grey cores to the terminals on the other side. Join the brown cores with an insulated strip connector. Ensure that the connections match the wiring diagram that came with your new switch or the one you took a picture of before removing the old switch.
If you are unsure about the wiring connections or if your new switch has different terminals, it is best to consult an electrician for advice. Safety is crucial when working with electricity, so always double-check your connections before turning the power back on.
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Frequently asked questions
A double electrical switch, sometimes called a "double pole", allows you to control the power being sent to multiple places from the same switch. For example, you can turn on a bathroom light separately from the ceiling fan.
It is crucial to be cautious when working with electricity. Before starting, cut the power to the room you're working in by turning off the flow of electricity in the room via the circuit breaker. Always double-check that there is no power running to the switch.
First, cut the power to the room. Then, remove the old switch by unscrewing and detaching the wires. Take a picture of the current fixture for future reference. Finally, feed and connect the wires into the new double switch fixture.
Use cable with an extra core so the current can run in various directions. The brown, black, and grey cores must carry a warning flag of brown PVC electrical sleeving or tape as they can be live at a light switch. There will be two neutral wires connecting to your two appliances, and each will correspond to a switch on the double switch.
If you are trying to separate two lights that use the same wiring, you will likely need a trained electrician. Wall-mounted light switch fittings, known as "plate switches", can contain multiple individual switches ("gangs") that control separate light fittings from one place.
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