Fix Light Switch Wiring

Light Switch Wiring
Electrical Project: I replaced the switch with a new switch, now the pantry light works, but the range light fan doesn’t.

• I have a pantry light wired to a switch in which the toggle broke off.
• Upon removing it I discovered it’s a 3-way switch. However, it’s not paired with another 3-way switch.
• Turns out since it’s such a small house, the original owners or builder, wired the above-the-stove range light/fan to the switch for a power source.
• The switch only works the light. The fan/light above the stove has it’s own switch. So I replaced the switch with a new 3-way switch last night.
• However, the pantry light works like a charm, but now the range light/fan doesn’t. I have the black wire from the pantry light connected to the “hot” black terminal and the other two connected to the traveler terminals.

Where did I go wrong?
Thank you in advance!

This electrical wiring project came from Chadwick, a Handyman in Petaluma, California, United States.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring project Chadwick.

Change the Wiring of a Light Switch

Application: Change the Wiring for a Light Switch.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Switch, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Switch should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Petaluma, California. A permit and inspections may also be required.

Wiring a Light Switch that Feeds to Another Light Switch

This electrical wiring project is about How to Change the Wiring of a Light Switch in the Pantry of a Duplex.

NOTE: This question mentions the use of a three way switch, however for this project, a three way switch is not needed, and is not necessary.

Changing the Wiring to a Switch

• Before making any changes, make sure the switch for the range light is operational while the pantry light is off. If the range light is still not working, then lets proceed to below.
• From what you have described, and from what I see on your diagram, this is how I would wire this: Connect all the white (neutral) wires together with one wire nut connector, the red size wire connector should work for this.
• Connect the black wire of the power source to the black wire of the range light, and add attach an additional short black wire to this group which will connect to the power terminal of the switch.
• Next, attach the black wire from the pantry light to one of the light switch traveler terminals.
• NOTE: Depending on the traveler terminal connections, the switch may turn off the pantry light while in the Up or the Down position, and if you wish to change this either rotate the switch position, or change the connection to the other traveler terminal.
• If you wish, the three way switch may be replaced with a standard single pole switch, and this will prevent some confusion.
• This wiring configuration will place power to the range light, which will be operational from the range light switch, which is how it is normally wired.

See More about  Wiring a Light Switch

How to Wire a Switch

Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1

Wiring Diagrams
Fully Explained Light Switch Wiring Diagrams. Detailed Electrical Wiring Diagrams and Pictures assist your Home Electrical Projects.

3 Way Switch Diagram

3 Way Switch Diagram

The key to three way switch wiring depends on two main factors. These wiring diagrams help you identify the power feed and the switch leg leading to the light fixture.

Guide to Home Electrical Wire

Electrical Wire for the Home

Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

How to Wire an Oven or Stove

Kitchen Range Electrical Wiring

Wiring a Kitchen Range Power Cord

Fully Described Electric Range Installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system. You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric range. Lets look at how the electric range is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.

Light Switch Wiring
Electrical Project: I replaced the switch with a new switch, now the pantry light works, but the range light fan doesn’t.

• I have a pantry light wired to a switch in which the toggle broke off.
• Upon removing it I discovered it’s a 3-way switch. However, it’s not paired with another 3-way switch.
• Turns out since it’s such a small house, the original owners or builder, wired the above-the-stove range light/fan to the switch for a power source.
• The switch only works the light. The fan/light above the stove has it’s own switch. So I replaced the switch with a new 3-way switch last night.
• However, the pantry light works like a charm, but now the range light/fan doesn’t. I have the black wire from the pantry light connected to the “hot” black terminal and the other two connected to the traveler terminals.

Where did I go wrong?
Thank you in advance!

This electrical wiring project came from Chadwick, a Handyman in Petaluma, California, United States.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring project Chadwick.

Change the Wiring of a Light Switch

Application: Change the Wiring for a Light Switch.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Switch, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Switch should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Petaluma, California. A permit and inspections may also be required.

Wiring a Light Switch that Feeds to Another Light Switch

This electrical wiring project is about How to Change the Wiring of a Light Switch in the Pantry of a Duplex.

NOTE: This question mentions the use of a three way switch, however for this project, a three way switch is not needed, and is not necessary.

Changing the Wiring to a Switch

• Before making any changes, make sure the switch for the range light is operational while the pantry light is off. If the range light is still not working, then lets proceed to below.
• From what you have described, and from what I see on your diagram, this is how I would wire this: Connect all the white (neutral) wires together with one wire nut connector, the red size wire connector should work for this.
• Connect the black wire of the power source to the black wire of the range light, and add attach an additional short black wire to this group which will connect to the power terminal of the switch.
• Next, attach the black wire from the pantry light to one of the light switch traveler terminals.
• NOTE: Depending on the traveler terminal connections, the switch may turn off the pantry light while in the Up or the Down position, and if you wish to change this either rotate the switch position, or change the connection to the other traveler terminal.
• If you wish, the three way switch may be replaced with a standard single pole switch, and this will prevent some confusion.
• This wiring configuration will place power to the range light, which will be operational from the range light switch, which is how it is normally wired.

See More about  Wiring a Light Switch

How to Wire a Switch

Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1

Wiring Diagrams
Fully Explained Light Switch Wiring Diagrams. Detailed Electrical Wiring Diagrams and Pictures assist your Home Electrical Projects.

3 Way Switch Diagram

3 Way Switch Diagram

The key to three way switch wiring depends on two main factors. These wiring diagrams help you identify the power feed and the switch leg leading to the light fixture.

Guide to Home Electrical Wire

Electrical Wire for the Home

Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

How to Wire an Oven or Stove

Kitchen Range Electrical Wiring

Wiring a Kitchen Range Power Cord

Fully Described Electric Range Installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system. You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric range. Lets look at how the electric range is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.

Light Switch Wiring

Question: I replaced a switch but now some things are not working right, how do I fix this?

Tim, a Homeowner in Minnesota asks:

• I replaced a double switch for a light and fan in my bathroom and now when I turn off the bathroom light (only) it turns off all power to the adjoining bedroom and to the lights only in the laundry room that is directly below.
• The light is not working right. Why is this happening and how do I fix it?

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Tim.

Skill Level: Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools.
Precaution: Identify the circuit of the light fixture and switch, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional fixture wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes, however replacing a light switch does not require a permit in most locations.
Materials: Make sure the replacement light switch has the same amperage and voltage rating as the original switch, and is fully compatible with the electrical circuit, the light fixture and the type of light bulbs being used.

How to Fix Light Switch Wiring

• Tim, you obviously changed the wiring configuration when you replaced the switch.
• The following wiring in the switch box will need to be identified: The Source Power In, The Power Leading Out to other areas, and the Switch Wires leading to the Light and Fan.
• Once these items have been identified then it is possible to make the correct wiring connections.
• From what you have described it appears that you have wired the power leading out that feeds the bedroom and laundry through the bathroom light switch.

More about Light Switch Wiring

Home Wiring Diagrams

Wiring a Light Switch

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.

How to Use Electrical Testers

Electrical Safety and Voltage Testers

• When working on home electrical wiring, quality voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety.
• Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.

Light Switch Wiring

Question: I replaced a switch but now some things are not working right, how do I fix this?

Tim, a Homeowner in Minnesota asks:

• I replaced a double switch for a light and fan in my bathroom and now when I turn off the bathroom light (only) it turns off all power to the adjoining bedroom and to the lights only in the laundry room that is directly below.
• The light is not working right. Why is this happening and how do I fix it?

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Tim.

Skill Level: Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools.
Precaution: Identify the circuit of the light fixture and switch, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional fixture wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes, however replacing a light switch does not require a permit in most locations.
Materials: Make sure the replacement light switch has the same amperage and voltage rating as the original switch, and is fully compatible with the electrical circuit, the light fixture and the type of light bulbs being used.

How to Fix Light Switch Wiring

• Tim, you obviously changed the wiring configuration when you replaced the switch.
• The following wiring in the switch box will need to be identified: The Source Power In, The Power Leading Out to other areas, and the Switch Wires leading to the Light and Fan.
• Once these items have been identified then it is possible to make the correct wiring connections.
• From what you have described it appears that you have wired the power leading out that feeds the bedroom and laundry through the bathroom light switch.

More about Light Switch Wiring

Home Wiring Diagrams

Wiring a Light Switch

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.

How to Use Electrical Testers

Electrical Safety and Voltage Testers

• When working on home electrical wiring, quality voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety.
• Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.

Guide to Wiring Multiple Light Switches
Electrical Problem: Why did my light switch stop working?
I have a 3 way light switch that is not working.

• One switch controls the hallway light the other controls the outside light and one is not used.
• I went to turn on the outside light and it would not work.
• I checked the circuit breaker and it was good.
• When I came home the other day and flipped the switch and the light was working.
• Tonight I tried the light switch again and no light.
• I am not sure what could be happening except maybe a short somewhere.

This electrical question came from: Mike, a Homeowner from Meridian, Idaho.

Additional Comments: Great site.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Mike.

Fix Wiring Problems with Light Switches

Application: Wiring Light Switches.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced, Best installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the access to the switch box for wiring for the switches.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turned it OFF and Tag It with a Note before working with the light switch wiring.
Notice: Modifying existing wiring or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

The Most Common Problems with Wiring Light Switches and How to Fix Them

When wiring more than one light switch in the same switch box the power source(s) will need to be identified and the circuit wiring must be understood in order to make the correct wiring connections for all of the light switches within the same switch box. The following guide will help you identify the circuit wiring.

Wiring More Than One Light Switch in the Same Switch Box

• Identifying the Circuit Power
  
  • Power In: The incoming power source(s) must be identified.
  • Power Out: The outgoing power feeds must be identified
  • The circuits of the power source must not become overloaded.
  • Keep in mind that the circuit may supply power other devices such as receptacle outlets.

• Keep the Circuit Wiring Isolated
  
  • If it is found that there are more than one circuit then be sure to keep the individual circuits isolated.
  • White neutral wires should be isolated as well unless the neutral is being shared within a multi-wire set.

• Three Way Switch Wiring
  • Key Factor of Typical Light Switch Wiring:
    • Light switches switch the power side of the circuit, not the neutral.
  • Remember that white wires may not always be a neutral wire, especially if you see a white wire that is connected to a light switch.
  • Use a voltage tester to verify the circuit wiring configurations.
  • When a white wire is attached to a 3-way switch a tester may not read the power because of the position of the other 3-way switch.

• Short Circuit in Electrical Wiring
  • If you have several light switches or light fixtures that are not working then there may be a short in the electrical wiring, or most likely a loose connection has developed.
  • Typically the location of the electrical short will need to located after identifying all of the affected devices that are on the circuits that are not functioning.
  • A series of inspections of all the devices of the same circuit will need to be performed until the cause is located, and then the necessary repairs will be required.

More about Wiring Light Switches and Circuit Wiring Diagrams

• • • 3 Way Switch Diagram
    • House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
    • Wiring Diagrams for Light Switches

Using Electrical Testers

When working on home electrical wiring using voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
Types of Electrical Testers

Guide to Wiring Multiple Light Switches
Electrical Problem: Why did my light switch stop working?
I have a 3 way light switch that is not working.

• One switch controls the hallway light the other controls the outside light and one is not used.
• I went to turn on the outside light and it would not work.
• I checked the circuit breaker and it was good.
• When I came home the other day and flipped the switch and the light was working.
• Tonight I tried the light switch again and no light.
• I am not sure what could be happening except maybe a short somewhere.

This electrical question came from: Mike, a Homeowner from Meridian, Idaho.

Additional Comments: Great site.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Mike.

Fix Wiring Problems with Light Switches

Application: Wiring Light Switches.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced, Best installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the access to the switch box for wiring for the switches.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turned it OFF and Tag It with a Note before working with the light switch wiring.
Notice: Modifying existing wiring or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

The Most Common Problems with Wiring Light Switches and How to Fix Them

When wiring more than one light switch in the same switch box the power source(s) will need to be identified and the circuit wiring must be understood in order to make the correct wiring connections for all of the light switches within the same switch box. The following guide will help you identify the circuit wiring.

Wiring More Than One Light Switch in the Same Switch Box

• Identifying the Circuit Power
  
  • Power In: The incoming power source(s) must be identified.
  • Power Out: The outgoing power feeds must be identified
  • The circuits of the power source must not become overloaded.
  • Keep in mind that the circuit may supply power other devices such as receptacle outlets.

• Keep the Circuit Wiring Isolated
  
  • If it is found that there are more than one circuit then be sure to keep the individual circuits isolated.
  • White neutral wires should be isolated as well unless the neutral is being shared within a multi-wire set.

• Three Way Switch Wiring
  • Key Factor of Typical Light Switch Wiring:
    • Light switches switch the power side of the circuit, not the neutral.
  • Remember that white wires may not always be a neutral wire, especially if you see a white wire that is connected to a light switch.
  • Use a voltage tester to verify the circuit wiring configurations.
  • When a white wire is attached to a 3-way switch a tester may not read the power because of the position of the other 3-way switch.

• Short Circuit in Electrical Wiring
  • If you have several light switches or light fixtures that are not working then there may be a short in the electrical wiring, or most likely a loose connection has developed.
  • Typically the location of the electrical short will need to located after identifying all of the affected devices that are on the circuits that are not functioning.
  • A series of inspections of all the devices of the same circuit will need to be performed until the cause is located, and then the necessary repairs will be required.

More about Wiring Light Switches and Circuit Wiring Diagrams

• • • 3 Way Switch Diagram
    • House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
    • Wiring Diagrams for Light Switches

Using Electrical Testers

When working on home electrical wiring using voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
Types of Electrical Testers

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