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Shut Off the Power to the Circuit
Shut off the power to the light switch circuit by switching off the appropriate circuit breaker in your home’s main service panel (breaker box).
Test for Power
Remove the screws on the switch cover plate, and pull off the cover plate to expose the switch wiring. Without touching any wires, test each wire in the electrical box with a non-contact voltage tester. Also, test each of the side terminals on the switch by touching it with the tip of the tester.
Identify the Switch Type
Remove the switch’s mounting screws, and carefully pull the switch out of the electrical box, straightening the wires as you go. Note the number of side terminals on the switch. If there are two side terminals, it is a single-pole switch. (Do not count the ground screw, which is usually green-colored and is near the bottom or top of the switch and connects to a bare copper or green ground wire.)If the switch has three terminals (plus a ground screw), it is a three-way switch. In this case, locate the black or dark-colored screw terminal, and label the wire attached to this terminal, using a small piece of electrical tape. This is the “common” terminal that brings power to the switch. You must connect the same wire back to the common terminal; the other two terminals (called “travelers”) are interchangeable so they don’t need to be labeled.There is a third type of switch, known as a four-way switch, which is used in conjunction with two three-way switches for circuit configurations where a light fixture (or group of fixtures) needs to be controlled from three or more different wall locations. Four-way switches have four screw terminals, in addition to the green grounding screw.
Disconnect and Remove the Switch
Loosen each of the screw terminals and the ground screw, and pull each wire from its terminal. Bring the switch to your work surface for testing.
Reconnect (or Replace) the Switch
Connect the switch to the circuit wires to the switch, as before. Tighten each screw terminal and the ground screw securely.
Complete the Job
Push the switch back into place, tucking the wires neatly into the box, and secure the switch strap to the electrical box with its mounting screws. Reinstall the cover plate. Turn the power back on to the circuit by switching on the circuit breaker or reinstalling the fuse. Test the switch for proper operation.
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