In a double light switch setup, you will have multiple wires including one set each light fixture and … Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. (assuming it is a steel box). Disconnect the old switch by removing the screws. To replace this kind of switch, follow these steps: Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. With the power coming to the switch and then going to the lights, you will notice that there are two black wires, two white wires and two ground wires (bare wires). The other 4-wire bundle will enter the box from the top and have three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare) one. Unscrew all wires. So the new switch has four wires. There are three types of wires that run to most switches: black wires that go to black or brass screws, copper or green ground wires attached to green or copper screws and neutral white wires. Normally when you replace a light switch, you would leave the neutral wires alone, but in this case, we’ll be connecting them to the new combo switch. You’ll need access to the white neutral wires. Follow the directions. Twist the wire connectors back onto the two sets of wires if you removed a light kit from your ceiling fan. In this video I walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton Decora rocker arm switch. A wire that is bare, green, or yellow (or green with a yellow stripe) is the grounding wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. If the light switch has a ground screw on it (usually green and at the bottom of the switch), connect it now. Neutral: Standard switches do not require them, but the neutral wires will be present in the box. Now that the light switch is completely removed, we’ll need to prepare for the installation of the combo switch. The hot wire is usually red, but can also be black. They do not have an on/off position like single pole switches. Step 1 Turn off the electrical power to the three-way dimmer switch by turning the dimmer circuit breaker to the … Before disconnecting the wires from the switch, label each wire with the provided labels. Wiring a three-way dimmer switch uses four wires and allows you the convenience of dimming the light from separate switches at opposite ends of a room. Pull the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring. Since the switch cuts the power on and off, there will be a black wire coming into the switch and a black wire leaving. Unscrew and remove the switch plate; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. Load: Based on STEP 4, label the LOAD wire that did not test positive for voltage. 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