A double switch can be a great way to combine two switches into one. These switches are often used in hallways, larger rooms, and bathrooms to control a light from more than one location. In some cases, they even have a timer function that allows you to turn the lights on and off for a certain amount of time.
If you’re planning to wire a double switch, it’s important to understand how these switches work before starting. Electrical wiring projects can be dangerous, so you should be careful when working on them.
There are three colors of wires that go into a light switch circuit: the load or hot wire, the neutral wire, and the ground wire. The load wire carries electricity from the power source to the switch, and the neutral wire sends electricity back from the switch to the power source. The ground wire is a safety wire that can help close the circuit in the event of an electrical short.
Step 2: Remove the old switch
Unscrew both screws on your existing switch and pull it off the wall. Carefully take a look inside the switch box to see what you’re dealing with. Most older switches have at least 3 or 4 wires connected to the screws, and they are not usually labeled. They are typically red or black, with a small metal tab, or fin, on one side.
It’s possible that your existing switch has multiple hot feed wires, which are wires that run from the wall to each of the switches and back again. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it does mean that you’ll have to rewire the new switch differently.
You’ll need to identify which wires are the feed wires and which are the neutral wires in order to properly connect them to your new switch. To make this easier, take a picture of your fixture so you can later refer to it when you’re rewiring.
Partially unscrew the feed wire and both neutral wires, then hook them tightly around their screws to prevent them from falling out. You can use a pair of needle-nose pliers to help hold the ends in place.
Once the feed and neutral wires are hooked up, replace the old switch and check it to make sure all of the connections are secure. If the connections are faulty, you’ll have to fix them before you can install the new switch.
Step 4: Identify the wires in the second switch box
In most cases, you’ll only find four wires in the second switch box: a black wire, a white wire, a red wire, and a ground wire. You can use some black electrical tape to mark the white wire as a hot wire and the black wire as the common wire.
This will help you keep the two switches straight when you’re connecting them. Alternatively, you can paint the wires to help you remember them.
In most cases, you can run all of the wires to the new switch without any issues, though you may want to test them with a voltage tester before installing. This will ensure that you’re not accidentally running any electricity to your home. You should also wear insulated gloves when you’re working on a circuit.
