How to wire a single pole switch

Single - pole switches are the most common light switches in a home. They have two screw terminals plus a ground screw. One screw terminal is for the hot wire that feeds the switch from the power source. The other terminal is for a second hot wire , called a switch leg, that runs only between the switch and the light fixture. This is normal for one 14-bringing power to the switch and the other 14-going to the light.

If you are replacing a normal switch the whites should already be spliced together and the black wires would have been. The red is the wire controlled by the switch that connects to the bathroom fan and light. Remove wires from existing switch and connect them to the new switch.

Install the new switch back into the box. To wire a single pole switch using a regular switch leg, you need power and a neutral at the switch box. You do not need regular power or neutral at the box of the device being switched. You then run a regular 2- wire cable (14- 12- etc.) from the switch box to the box for whatever you are switching.

How To Wire a Single - Pole Switch - Connecting the New Switch Bend the ends of the wire into a half moon shape to go around the screws. Wiring a Single - Pole Light Switch. Here a single - pole switch controls the power to a light fixture. The source is at the switch and 2-conductor cable runs from there to the light.

The source hot wire is connected to the bottom terminal on the switch and the top terminal is connected to the black cable wire. A single - pole switch will have ON and OFF marked on the lever. A switch is just a break in the hot wire controlling a light. Both of the wires are HOT and should be black.

A wire switch leg is pulled from the switch to the nearest light. Below is a line diagram and a wiring schematic of a basic single pole switch wiring circuit. Line diagrams help electricians figure out how to make wiring connections by simplifying the circuit. Hook the white wire to the top terminal on the switch. Push the switch into the box and secure it with screws at the top and bottom.

Turn on the power and test the switch. A single pole switch controls a light or lights from one location. Single pole switches have two screw terminals, and some single pole switches also come with a green screw for the ground wire. Leviton offers Decora style and traditional toggle style single pole switches. With a pair of 3-way switches, either switch can make or break the connection that completes the circuit to the light.

It has two brass terminals, one for the hot wire from the power source and one for the hot wire to the fixture. When the switch is off, the connection between these two wires is broken, and the fixture gets no electricity. Flip the switch on and electricity flows. The white wire becomes the energized switch leg, as indicated by using black or red electrical tape.

With a single pole switch , there are two variations. One is with the power coming into the box that contains the switch. Single Pole and 3-Way Switch Standard Style Cat.

This particular model comes in white. A double- pole switch is like two separate single - pole switches that are mechanically operated by the same lever, knob, or button. This single pole AC quiet switch is designed to withstand demanding environments. The classification of a pole when used for a switch , accounts for the number of separate power conductors that can be connected to the switch. When wiring a single pole switch , it is only necessary to connect the black (power side) cable to the switch.

A double pole switch has two sets of separate contacts for controlling the electrical power. The white (neutral) wire and the ground connection are always on or always connected to the light, even when it is turned off. If there are single pole switches in the box (I think you said there are switches total in the box), the single pole switches are both fed by a constant hot wire. This would be a better place to tie the new black wire into. Figure out which black wire in outlet box goes to outlet 2. You have created a pig tail.

The neutral wires and the ground wire will stay put. Connect that pig tail to outlet where the red wire used to connect. However, there are other uses for a combo switch.

There are two types of switches: a single pole , which controls only one circuit, and a double pole that controls two circuits controlled by one button, lever, or knob.