Trying to install a light switch inside of our home sounds like a difficult job – but it is very easy. You could hire an electrician to come to your home and do it for you. If you do than you can expect to pay around $40 or more for a job that will take you only ten minutes to complete.
- When installing anything electrical you need to be sure that the power has been turned off. Go to the power circuit and find the switch that will turn off any electrical currents to that room.
- If there is an existing cover plate than you need to remove the screws that are holding it into place. Place the screws and the plate in a place where you can get them later.
- Remove all of the screws that are being used to secure the light switch to the wall box. Gently pull the switch out. To do this simply pull on the top and bottom tabs.
- Test both lines that are connected to the switch using a voltage tester. This will help you to make sure that the circuit has been turned off and you will not risk electrocuting yourself.
- Loosen the top screw and remove the wire. Bend it up and away from the switch before you loosen the lower screw. Now bend it down and away from the switch. If there is a ground wire attached to the switch than you will need to loosen the screw and remove that also. Throw away the old switch.
- Pick up the new switch and loosen the top, bottom, and ground screws.
- Wrap the ground wire around the ground screw and make sure that you have secured it down.
- Look closely at the two switch wires to make sure that they don’t need to be cut and re-stripped. If the wires seems to be in good condition you can wrap the top wire around the top screw and tighten it. Now wrap the bottom wire around the bottom screw and tighten it.
- Wrap electrical tape around the light switch and be sure that the terminals have been covered. This works to reduce any chance that the terminal might accidentally touch the ground wires in the box.
- Carefully push the wires into the wall box and secure the switch to the box using the mounting screws. Place the cover plate over the switch and turn the power back on.