Bathroom Light Switch Wiring Diagrams
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Where do all the wires connect to a light switch? Electrical Wiring for a Bathroom Light Switch with Wiring Diagrams. |
How to Wire a Bathroom Light Switch
Electrical Question #1: Where do all the wires connect to the light switch?
I’m replacing a light fixture in a bathroom.
- The bathroom also includes an exhaust fan, no light, two separate switches for light and exhaust fan. The connections from light to box are black to red wire, white to white wire, ground to green wire. There are also two cream wires coming out of box that I assume are for the fan. Do they connect to the hot wires red/black or to each other to complete the circuit?
This electrical question came from Trudy, a Homeowner from Vernon Hills, Illinois.
Electrical Question #2:
- I’m replacing a light switch in the bathroom. The switch it is next to but appears to be independent from the bathroom fan switch. It was originally rear-connected but I’m side connecting it instead. The ground appears to be a stripped loop in a wire that was looped around the top pole of the switch. What is the best way to reconnect the ground? I don’t think I can loop it with the wire on the top pole, and I’m not sure where it goes, so I just don’t want to cut it and move it to the grounding screw to connect it. My electrician dad died a couple of years ago and unfortunately I never inherited any of his skills. Any suggestions?
This electrical wiring question came from Curt in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your home electrical questions.
Electrical Wiring for a Bathroom Light Switch with Wiring Diagrams
Application: Wiring a Bathroom Light and Exhaust Fan.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical repair project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with hand tools and electrical troubleshooting skills.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and then Tag it with a Note before performing any wiring or inspections or repairs.
- Trudy, from what you have described, the cream color wires should be verified, however each function for a light or exhaust fan will require a hot, neutral and ground wire to be connected to a voltage source and through the wall switch.
- Once the power source has been verified then the connections should be clear.
The Following will assist you with your Bathroom Light Switch
Wiring Diagrams for Light Switches
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Electrical Wiring Diagrams
- Home electrical wiring diagrams are an important tool for completing your electrical projects. An electrical wiring diagram can be as simple as a diagram showing how to install a new switch in your hallway, or as complex as the complete electrical blueprint for your new home or home improvement project.
Wiring Diagrams Directory
You identified your project to be about Light Switch Wiring,
so you might find this information useful:
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Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
- Fully explained pictures and wiring diagrams about wiring light switches describing the most common switches starting with photo diagram 1.
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Installing Your Bath Exhaust Fan
- Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
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How do i wire a bathroom exhaustfan/light to a 2 way switch? I want to be able to turn on the light & exhaust seperately. It had an old heater fan in the ceiling with one switch operating the heater only.
If there was only one switch for the original heater fan then an additional cable will be required for the second switch to enable independent switching capability.
Dave
OK here goes. I am changing a light fixture in my bathroom. in the box behind the light I find 4 sets of wires. I notice that when I turn the power off, it shuts down the the lights in my living room, dining room, and kitchen, how do I find and connect the right wire for just that bathroom light with all these other one meeting in that one place?
Hi Tommy,
I always recommend that when changing out a light fixture that you only work with the wires that are connected to the existing light fixture, and then the wiring is straight forward. But if for some reason all of the wiring have been taken apart then a voltage tester will need to be used to identify what all of the wires are used for. What we typically discover is that there is only one cable that is the power source, one (or more) cables that travel out to the living room, dining room and kitchen, and then we discover that on cable may be used for switching to hot leg of the circuit for the light fixture. I would suggest taking a look at the wiring diagrams for light switches (as shown above) which will help you understand some of the different wiring scenarios.
I hope this helps you,
Dave
My bathroom has a wall switch with three rocker switches. One switch operates a light over tub, but also operates a light in the toilet room. The other two switches operate other lights in the bathroom. The toilet room also has a rocker switch that also turns on toilet room and light over tub.
What needs to be done to just have the toilet room operate just the toilet room and not the tub light, and also the main wall switch so it just turns on the tub light and not toilet light?
Thanks
Hi Joe,
To change from two switches to a single switch to control a light the wiring configuration will need to be changed at both switch box locations. The exact wiring connections will depend on how the circuit is now configured. Therefore, the existing circuit power, and the wiring used for the switching process will all need to be identified before making the conversion to the new switch setup. Now doubt, this can be done as you have described, however the identification of the wiring must first be understood in order to make the wiring changes. Check out the Wiring Diagrams for Switches that I have provided to assist you further.
I hope this helps,
Dave