Swapping old light switch for new, old wires


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Old 04-07-09, 04:35 AM
S
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Swapping old light switch for new, old wires

The wires attached to my old switch are one tan and one red. The screws appear to be the same color. THere are only two poles on the old switch. In the hole is a capped off black wire. I have a three poled newer switch, one would be for a grounding wire. What is the proper way to wire with what I have as the colors are not telling me much of anything?
 
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Old 04-07-09, 07:49 AM
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please correct, my new switch is two poles with a ground
 
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Old 04-07-09, 09:54 AM
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On ordinary switches (ones that say "on" and "off" on opposite sides of the switch lever), the two non-grounding screws are interchangeable. You can put either wire on either screw. If your switch has a grounding screw (always green in color) and your box has a grounding wire (always bare copper or insulated with green insulation), then you should connect them together. But not all switches have grounding screws and not all boxes have grounding wires.

If the old switch worked correctly, then you can just leave that capped-off black wire alone. If you were having trouble, then please tell us what trouble you were having. Are you just changing the switch to get one of a different color?

For best advice, please fill in the "location" field of your profile.

Just in case you care, here's a terminology translation.

What you called a "pole" is just a screw.
What you called a "hole" is a "box" or "junction box".
 
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Old 04-07-09, 10:12 AM
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that would be my answer, just mimic what i had if it worked.

Thanks
 
 

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