Unscrew the switch from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached. They do not have an on/off position like single pole switches. You’ll need access to the white neutral wires. First of all we should connect the ground wires to the box. If the light switch has a ground screw on it (usually green and at the bottom of the switch), connect it now. There are three types of wires that run to most switches: black wires that go to black or brass screws, copper or green ground wires attached to green or copper screws and neutral white wires. Below is a conventional wiring diagram for a 4-way switch configuration. Now that the light switch is completely removed, we’ll need to prepare for the installation of the combo switch. Step 1 Turn off the electrical power to the three-way dimmer switch by turning the dimmer circuit breaker to the … Pull the switch and attached wires out slightly, taking care not to damage any wiring. Unscrew and remove the switch plate; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead. Load: Based on STEP 4, label the LOAD wire that did not test positive for voltage. Normally when you replace a light switch, you would leave the neutral wires alone, but in this case, we’ll be connecting them to the new combo switch. The hot wire is usually red, but can also be black. With the power coming to the switch and then going to the lights, you will notice that there are two black wires, two white wires and two ground wires (bare wires). Follow the directions. To replace this kind of switch, follow these steps: Turn off the power to the switch at the main circuit breaker or fuse panel. Since the switch cuts the power on and off, there will be a black wire coming into the switch and a black wire leaving. The other 4-wire bundle will enter the box from the top and have three colored wires (black, white, red) and a copper (bare) one. It is important to understand how these switches are wired before attempting to troubleshoot or replace. Unscrew all wires. So the new switch has four wires. Insert the light kit or the switch housing cap into the bottom of the switch housing. A 3-way switch is used on each end with one or more 4-way switches in between the two 3-way switches. Before disconnecting the wires from the switch, label each wire with the provided labels. Disconnect the old switch by removing the screws. In a double light switch setup, you will have multiple wires including one set each light fixture and … In this video I walk through the process of replacing a traditional toggle switch with a more modern Leviton Decora rocker arm switch. A wire that is bare, green, or yellow (or green with a yellow stripe) is the grounding wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire. (assuming it is a steel box). Neutral: Standard switches do not require them, but the neutral wires will be present in the box. 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