Switch-A-Roo

Here's a classic How-To instructional: How to switch out a 3-way light switch...

In our hallway, we have three light switches that all work the same two ceiling lights. Two switches are in perfect working order, the third was a little hinkey. By this, I mean the switch seemed loose and would often cause the light to flicker. I knew this was an easy fix so I headed to my local hardware store. They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful {they never treat me like a girl who doesn't know what I'm doing}. Usually, I will tell them what project I'm working on and ask if they have any tips. One time, I removed the tank from the back of my toilet and brought it in so they could show me how to replace the pump! But this time,  I took pictures of the old switch so I would be sure and purchase the correct replacement.

There are a few different options when shopping for a light switch. This job required a White Standard 3-way Switch.  Proper tools are essential.

Philips head screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
Needle nose pliers



First, find your fuse box. It's usually in the basement or on the first level of the home. When you open the door, there should be a list telling you which switch corresponds to which area of the home. If you cannot decipher which one you're looking for you have two options. 1. Try each one until you find it. {I had my daughter yell down to me when the hall light went out} 2. Use the master switch and turn off all the power in the home.

Once your sure the power has been shut off, remove the switch plate using a flat head screwdriver.




This will expose your installed switch. Next, using a philips head screwdriver, remove the screws holding the switch in place. Now pull the switch out as far as the wires will allow.

There are 5 wires in this picture. 1 copper,
  1 red and 3 black. One top black wire will
  be wrapped around the black screw.
  The other will be pushed into the back of
   the switch. The 3rd black wire should
    actually be white and will be treated
 that way.

Don't be scared, it's going to look like a mess.  There will be 5 wires connected to your switch: 2 black, 1 white, 1 red and 1 green {or copper}. Each is connected by a screw to a different corner and one black will be sticking out of the back. Now, when I pulled my switch out, there wasn't a white wire, It was black! This won't actually matter as long as it is treated like a white wire. To remove the black wire from the back of the switch, notice that there is a small slit with an arrow pointing to it. It may have the word "release" printed above it. You will need to insert a sharp object, like an eyeglass screwdriver to release the wire.  Once each wire is reconnected to the same place on the new switch, it will work perfectly.

New switch out of package. Notice the black
screw on the top left, green on top right, two
silver screws on either side, bottom. On the
back, there is a small hole where one of the
black wires will be inserted.

The screws are color coded. One screw will be black. This is where the black wire belongs. Another will be green, this is where the green or copper wire {the ground wire} belongs. The red and white are interchangeable and can be connected to either silver screw. Again, I treated the extra black wire like a white wire and it worked fine. After removing the black wire from the old switch by pressing the release, insert it into the new switch.

Next, loosen the screws using the philips head screwdriver and remove the connected wires. Attach the wires to the same corners as the old switch using the needle nose pliers to bend the wires around the screws. You may need to pinch the wires to get them to stay until you are able to tighten the screws.

Tighten the screws and push all the wires back into the wall making sure you have your switch in the upright position. Line up the screws with the holes and tighten them. Replace the switch plate.

Return to the fuse box and reset the switch reestablishing power and you're good to go! Try your new switch to be sure you connected everything correctly. Now, by all means, brag to your friends and family that you installed your own light switch!

You Can Do It!