How a Handyman Replaces a light Switch

Introduction, Difficulty Level and Needed Tools
Switches control power to light fixtures and power outlets or receptacles. This tutorial will walk you through how to replace a single pole switch, the most common switch found in the home.
· Turn off power to the circuit feeding the switch. You do this by going to your electrical service panel and either removing the fuse or turning off the circuit breaker feeding power to the switch.
· Go back to the switch and flip the switch to confirm that power has been turned off.
Remove the small screws holding switch cover plate.
Remove the two small screws holding the old switch to the switch box. A multi-head screwdriver works great for this.
Gently pull out the old switch being careful not to crack the old wiring.
Once the switch is pulled from the box, check the wiring for condition and proper markings.
· Extend the old switch from the box enough to access the black wires attached to the old switch. Switches always connect to hot (black) wires. In some cases you may find a white wire with the end taped black denoting it is serving as a hot (black) wire. Or you may find a white wire connected to the switch. If that's the case, the prior electrician did not properly mark the wire and it should be marked as a black wire. Wrap the end with black electrical tape after disconnecting.
· Disconnect the old switch by disconnecting the two black wires that connect to the switch.
· You don't do anything with the existing neutral(white) wires or ground (green or bare copper) wires
Installing the new switch is fairly simple:
· Connect the two hot (black) wires to the two brass terminals on the new switch.
· Gently push the new switch back into the box.
· Fasten the switch to the box with the two long screws at the top and bottom of the switch.
Finally you just attach the switch cover plate and turn the circuit breaker back on to provide power back at the switch.