How do you wire a double 1 way light switch

You have an incoming hot wire (black) going to one screw (it does not matter if you use the brass or silver screw) on the side of the 2-way switch and a black wire from the other screw on the 2-way switch going to the load (light, ceiling fan etc..).

Where does the black wire go on a double light switch?

You have an incoming hot wire (black) going to one screw (it does not matter if you use the brass or silver screw) on the side of the 2-way switch and a black wire from the other screw on the 2-way switch going to the load (light, ceiling fan etc..).

What's the difference between a 1 way and 2 way switch?

The one-way switch has two contacts and the two-way switch has three contacts. In a two-way switch, there are two, one-way switches combined in one. One of the terminals can be connected to either of the two, but not both at the same time. … You flip the switch ON to light up the stairs as you walk up.

How does a double switch light work?

A double-switch allows you to operate two lights or appliances from the same location. Double switches, sometimes called “double pole,” allow you to separately control the power being sent to multiple places from the same switch. For example, you might want to turn on a bathroom light separately from the ceiling fan.

Does it matter what wire goes where on a light switch?

If it’s a single pole switch with two terminals, the answer is no. One wire is the power to the switch and the other wire goes to the light.

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What happens if you wire a light switch wrong?

If a light switch is wired up wrongly, a short circuit may takes place if you give phase and neutral to the switch terminals. Always connect neutral wire to the one terminal of the light and phase to the one terminal of the switch and off wire to the other terminal of the switch to the light other terminal.

How do you know which wire is which on a light switch?

Load Wire – Generally connected to the top half of your switch. If the wire is coming from the top of the switch box, it is likely your load wire. Line Wire – Generally connected to the bottom half of your switch. In some cases, line wires are marked with “line”, “pwr”, or a lightning bolt symbol.

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Does the hot wire go on the top or bottom of a switch?

Is it on the top or bottom of the switch – Quora. If you are speaking of a single pole switch, doesn’t matter. On a 2 pole switch, box mounted, technically it doesn’t matter, but good practices are line at the top, load at the bottom. If a disconnect switch, always line at the top, load at the bottom.

Does white wire go on top or bottom of switch?

Hook the bare wire to the box and to the switch. Hook the black wire to the bottom terminal on the switch. Hook the white wire to the top terminal on the switch.

What happens if you mix up hot and neutral wires?

This happens when the hot and neutral wires get flipped around at an outlet, or upstream from an outlet. Reversed polarity creates a potential shock hazard, but it’s usually an easy repair. Any $5 electrical tester will alert you to this condition, assuming you have a properly grounded three-prong outlet.

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Which wire is positive when both are black?

If the multi-colored wire is black and red, the black wire is the negative wire, while the red one is positive. If both wires are black but one has a white stripe, the striped wire is negative, while the plain black wire is positive.

How do I wire another light to an existing light and switch?

You can usually install a light fixture between an existing one and the switch by cutting the cable to the existing fixture at the location of the new one, inserting the ends of the cable into the electrical box for the new fixture and pigtailing the new fixture onto these wires.

How do you wire a light with two black wires?

Join one of the fixture wires to the hot (black) electric wire from the switch and the other wire to the neutral (white) wire. With a voltage meter, attach one probe on the fixture pocket sleeve and the other on the ground wire. Request a helper to turn on the power (take caution to avoid a shock).

Why does my light have 2 wires?

The separate wire goes to the light from one switch and at the other switch it is the hot lead. This allows you to control the light from two different locations. For instance if you have a room with two doors you can put a switch by each door so you don’t have to cross the room to control the light.

Can you put a dimmer on a two way light switch?

If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit. … Push-on/off dimmers can also be used in 1-way circuits.

Can you use a 2 way dimmer switch for 1 way?

Yes it can be used. You need to com and either of the other two terminals normally S1. more often than not if you ask for a one-way switch these days you’ll be given a two-way. as a two-way can be used as a one-way some manufacturers no longer make one-way switches.

Can a 2 way dimmer be used 1 way?

Two way switches can always be used as single way, on/off, switches.