View Full Version : Wiring a Light Switch
mnar77
Jul 12, 2007, 08:12 PM
Today I went to replace an old dimmer switch with a normal toggle switch. Inside I found two (perhaps 3, with 2 intertwined) black wires connected to the dimmer, and three white wires connected together. There are three sets of wires coming into the box, each with one black, one white, and one ground. There is also a red wire with a cap on it. One of the black wires is hot, while nothing else is. How do I wire the light switch with these wires?
Thanks,
Mark
letmetellu
Jul 12, 2007, 08:22 PM
If it is light with only one switch you have to know which wire is the hot wire and which is the switch leg going to the light fixture. If it is a three way switch it gets a little more complicated. So I will let one of the electricians work you through this one.
Stratmando
Jul 12, 2007, 08:24 PM
The switch needs to connect to the same place where the dimmer was. If you forgot, remove switch and look at wires. If three wires, may be 3 way, will need to replace with
3 way switch.
Do not connect to the whites.
mnar77
Jul 13, 2007, 12:14 PM
Today I went to replace an old dimmer switch with a normal toggle switch. Inside I found two (perhaps 3, with 2 intertwined) black wires connected to the dimmer, and three white wires connected together. There are three sets of wires coming into the box, each with one black, one white, and one ground. There is also a red wire with a cap on it. One of the black wires is hot, while nothing else is. How do I wire the light switch with these wires?
Thanks,
Mark
Thanks for your help. I put the 3 whites together, attached the hot black to the top of the switch and the other 2 blacks to the bottom. Works like a charm