How to replace the light switch in the apartment with your own hands

Replacing a switch is a job you can do yourself. But it is connected with electricity, so you need to read the step-by-step instructions in detail and learn all the safety rules.

When you need to replace a switch

There are a number of reasons why it may be necessary to replace the switch. These are:

1. Breakage. A switch with a broken key affects usability and safety.
2. Wear and tear. Although switches last for decades, sooner or later they will wear out.
3. Installing a different kind of .. Often a single-button switch needs to be replaced with a two-button switch, or a regular switch needs to be replaced with a touch-screen switch.
4. Repairs. These elements become part of the overall interior of the room, so during the repair they are often replaced with new ones.

Sometimes the reason is the desire to change the appearance.

Switches are inexpensive, and their replacement will take only 10-15 minutes. But to do this, you should study the instructions in detail.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing switches

The work process for replacing the switch consists of several steps. It starts with preparation, then proceeds to disassembly, disassembly and installation of a new one.

Preparing .

To begin with, it is necessary to prepare all the working tools and materials that will be required. The basic list includes:

1. A tool for voltage indication.
2. Screwdrivers (it is better to take several cross and flat).
3. Pliers.
4. Insulating tape.
5. A box cutter.
6. Flashlight (it would be more convenient to work with a headlight).

Some people decide to use the indicator as a basic screwdriver. It is better not to do this, so as not to damage the tool.

Everything you need should be at your fingertips.

If the need for replacement is caused by a malfunction in the lighting in the room, you should first make sure whether it is really about the switch. To do this, you should check the operation of electricity in other rooms, the serviceability of the bulb, the socket.

The apartment must be de-energized before work begins. The circuit breaker can be located both inside the apartment and in the electrical panel on the floor. Be sure to check the absence of voltage indicator.

Dismantling the old switch

To remove the old device, you must first remove the protective cover. It is fixed with two screws, which are on the sides or under the button. If the fasteners are under the button, it must be removed by lightly prying with a screwdriver or your fingers.

The single pushbutton is installed in the socket and is held there by spacers. There are screw terminals with connected wires in the construction. Before disassembling, it is important to figure out which wire is the phase. A gauge is used for this purpose. To determine the phase, you need to turn on the voltage, so it is important to be as careful as possible.

The fixing elements are under the button.

After that, it is necessary to turn off the voltage on the circuit breaker and continue with the removal:

1. Unscrew the spacer tabs fixing elements.
2. Pull the switch out of the socket.
3. Disconnect the wires: first the phase wire and then the other wire.

Tip! To avoid confusion in the future, which wire is a phase wire and which is not - you need to mark it with a piece of duct tape.

Stage-by-stage removal of the switch in the apartment

The indoor switch has a simple design with one or more keys, its removal is carried out in a few steps:

1. The circuit breaker disconnects the power supply to the apartment.
2. The keys are gently pry up with a screwdriver or other similar object, dismantle.
3. The frame of the switch is removed.
4. Then it is necessary to unscrew the screws that fix the device in the wall.
5. Pull the switch out of the sub-socket.
6. Disconnect the wires.

Diagram of a single-switch device.

To avoid problems with the connection of the new device, you need to take a picture of how the wires are connected to the old one.

Working with the wiring

Before replacing a switch with a new one, you must make sure the wiring is working properly and make preparations for it. Some rooms use concealed wiring, where the switch is installed in a special box. There is also open wiring with overhead products.

When dismantling the old switch, the phase wire is checked, it is important not to mix it up. If there is even minor damage on the surface of the wire, it is better to cover them with duct tape.

Installing the new switch

To replace the construction of the light switch with a new one, you need to act as follows:

1. Strip the ends of the wires by 10-15 mm from the insulation. To do this, use a stationery knife or a special tool.
2. The cleaned wires are inserted into the contact holes of the new switch. The previously marked phase wire is inserted into the hole that is marked on the device as L1. The neutral wire is inserted into the input L2.

1. After that, you must secure the wires by tightening the contact screw. To check the tightness of the tightening, you can pull the wire slightly, it should remain in place.
2. The switch is inserted into the sub-socket and fixed inside with sliding strips.
3. Next, the frame of the switch is inserted, screwed with screws.
4. The last step will be the installation of keys. They are usually attached to special clips.

After installing the new device on the circuit breaker, the power supply to the house is turned on, and the functionality is checked.

Read also

How to install a light switch - indoor or outdoor

 

Schemes and connection

Features connecting Wires to the switch depend on what type of device is chosen. Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with popular schemes.

Single-button variant

Connecting a switch with a single button is the easiest. Its peculiarity is that only two wires are connected to the corresponding pins, regardless of whether it is an indoor or outdoor version:

1. You must first strip the edges of the wires (strictly with the power off).
2. Insert the contacts in the special compartments. For the phase contact, which is usually red, there is compartment L1, and for the other wire (blue or black) there is compartment L2.
3. The contacts are secured in the compartments with screw terminals.
4. The switch is inserted into the sub-socket, secured in it.
5. Check the functioning of the device.

Diagram of connection of single-switch.

For more information on how to connect the single-circuit breaker is described in this article.

Connection with two buttons

Connecting the two-key type device, follow the same instructions as when you connect a single-key. The only difference is in the connection diagram, which here consists of three terminals.

The single phase wire is inserted in the compartment marked L3, the paired wires are inserted in L1 and L2 (no difference).

This type of device is even slightly easier to connect, because the phase wire always goes separately from the paired wires.

Changing from a one-button to a two-button

Sometimes people decide to swap an old one-button switch for a new two-button switch. This is often done during renovations, when several more lights are added to the room in addition to the main chandelier.

From the new light sources, it is necessary to run wires to the phase wire that was connected to the old switch and to the common wire from the ceiling. In the switch itself, everything as usual, the phase wire is inserted into its corresponding connector.

From the video you will learn how to change the single switch to a double or triple.

Installing a Switch with a Dimmer

The connection scheme of the switch with a dimmer is not much different from the connection of an ordinary single-switch device. The appropriate wires are inserted into the terminals according to the instructions and locked there.

A control circuit with a dimmer and a single thru-break switch.

You need to match either the switch to the bulbs, or vice versa. There are special dimmers for LED bulbs, incandescent bulbs, etc. There are also light bulbs with dimming.

Read also

Diagrams of connection of dimmers with and instead of a switch

 

Safety rules when working

Although replacing the switch is not a difficult task, it remains as dangerous as possible. Mistakes made can lead to a fire, lighting failure or even electrocution of the person doing the work.

Basic safety rules:

1. Turning off the electricity. Anyone can accidentally touch a bare wire, so be sure to turn off the apartment circuit breaker before working.
2. Study the instructions. Switches are made according to standards, but sometimes there are unique variants with other connection schemes. Be sure to read the instructions before installation.
3. Protective clothing. Rubber gloves are a must. Also not superfluous will be protective glasses and special boots.
   Rubber gloves and suitable tools.
4. Insulating tools .. It is better to use tools with a rubber handle. They can also be additionally covered with duct tape.