If you proceed methodically, you can complete this task safely and neatly. Step 5 – Re-attach Wires to Your Switch. Your brown wire goes into the top of the plate, your blue in either L1 or L2 at the bottom, and your yellow/green goes in area at the side. Moving a light switch that is poorly located is not that difficult. Remove The Switch Plate Cover. Pull chain switches normally wear out long before the light fixture. 7. Remove switch cover plate. You may want to lower it, raise it, move it nearer to a door or to a different wall. NEXT. For a single switch, it does not matter which wire goes to which screw, except for the green screw. If cover plate doesn't come off easily, it is probably being held in place by several layers of paint. Most modern switches have screw terminals on each side and may also have holes in the back to accept the end of the wire. Put one wire on one of the screws and tighten. By shifting the top of your switch one way, and the bottom the opposite way, you can straighten out devices that are mounted in a crooked or tilted electrical box. Just ignore the L2 terminal. Attach the green or copper ground wire to the green screw and … If you get a light or a non-zero meter reading, the circuit is live. You may also be able to push the device up or down slightly in relation to other devices in a multi-gang wall box to visually straighten the light switch cover. With the pliers, slightly bend the exposed wire in the shape of a hook. Take your new glam light switch and follow my above guide as to where the 3 wires need to be secured in the new plate. 1. Although plug-in connections may be more convenient, they are less reliable … There's no telling what you may bump into before getting the lights burning. Materials: a plastic light switch cover, painter’s tape, one sheet of gold leaf, gold leaf sizing, Mod Podge, a soft paint brush, a foam brush, and rubber or cotton gloves. Two way switch (UK light switch) A two way switch (for switching a light from two different locations like in a hallway) has a common (C) a L1 and an L2 terminal. Re-attach the electrical wires to your switch, using the color codes you noted on your notepad. Do the same for the other wire. Light switches are functional items, and many of the basic varieties (made from white plastic) can look a bit plain. It is often challenging to find the pull string to turn on a light in a dark room. With any smart bulb, you control them by turning on and off the light bulb itself, rather than using the light switch on the wall. L1 is off when L2 is on and vice versa depending on the switch position. Cover a switch plate in rhinestones to make your own one of these. This means no matter how great the new design is, your eyes keep coming back to those light switches and outlet covers that stick out like a sore thumb! You can even place it in another room. Adjusting Device Screws. Because of that, you have to keep the light switch turned on at all times. Remember: Dimmer switches don’t work on most fluorescent fixtures, and low-voltage lighting requires special low-voltage dimmers. However, replacing these with decorative switches can add a stylish finishing touch to your home. If it’s just you who lives in your home (or maybe also a spouse), you know to keep the light switch turned on and not mess with it. In instances like this, it’s time to change light switch and outlet covers to keep the room flow running smoothly. Turn on the switch, then place one lead of the tester on either of the black wires connected to the switch and the other lead on the green ground screw. Use razor blade or utility knife to cut paint closely around edge of plate to free it. How to Replace a Light Switch with a Dimmer Replacing a standard single-pole or three-way switch with a dimmer switch is no different than replacing a standard switch. Two way switch (UK light switch) A two way switch (for switching a light from two different locations like in a hallway) has a common (C) a L1 and an L2 terminal. Use your finger to create a small bend in the wires allowing you to push the switch back into the box. That is for the green or copper ground wire. How to Replace a Light Switch with a Dimmer Switch Craig Lloyd @craigelloyd January 5, 2017, 3:00pm EDT If you want better control over how bright or dim your lights get, installing a dimmer switch is a great way to make that happen, especially if you want to adjust them regularly. This would be a wonderful idea for music rooms in schools or any room where you want to show off your love of music. Remove your old switch plate. How To: Replace a Light Switch For any confident do-it-yourselfer, it's easy to replace a light switch. Screw the switch and cover back in place, and turn your circuit breaker switch back on. Secure the switch by tightening the screws into the holes at the top and bottom of the box. The light switch mounts allow for a small amount of adjustment to make sure the light switch is … Use an inexpensive craft store frame and art print or photo to turn your light switch into a little work of art, as done here . After you do this, remove the switch cover plate and test the wires with a voltage tester for safety. You can use a two way switch for one way switching. Some switches will actually come two way as standard for use as both.