I rewired my closet light switch along with a few others. Everything works except the closet light… When I dissemble the switch outlet, there are two black wires and one red. Is this a three way switch? If yes, I have wired it as follows. Single black wire coming from separate wiring assembly to the black screw, other black wire and red wire have been connected to the brass screws. It still will not turn on… Help?

When I dissemble the switch outlet, there are two black wires and one red.

What do you mean by "switch outlet?"


Is this a three way switch?

Doubtful that a closet has a 3-way switch. But you can tell for sure by looking at the old switch - does it have 2 terminals or 3? Also 3-way switches always come in pairs - is there a second switch somewhere that operates the closet light?


If yes, I have wired it as follows. Single black wire coming from separate wiring assembly to the black screw, other black wire and red wire have been connected to the brass screws.

Since the new switch only has 2 terminals, it is not equipped for 3-way. It would be really helpful if you had noted how the original switch was wired. It's possible that one of the black wires is power and the red wire is switched power (ie. makes the light come on when energized), and the other black perhaps is for powering an outlet or other branch - do you notice anything besides the light that doesn't have work properly? Specifically is there an outlet in the closet that doesn't work? Finally, do you have a violt meter so that you can test which of the wires is normally energized?

When you rewired, what did you do? Did you add wire? Did you add switches / receptacles? Did you just replace the device?
First of all, you have to know which is your hot wire, then you have to know which wire goes where. Were all the wires used before? Why did you rewire this? The more information you can supply the more likely that we can answer your question accurately.