Old Single Pole Light Switch Wiring

Light switches operate by providing an operational break in the hot circuit wire leading to a light fixture or other device.

Old single pole light switch wiring.

A single pole single throw switch such as a light switch works by interrupting the hot wire so it has two brass terminals for the hot connections and no silver terminals for neutral. The ground screw is for the circuit ground wire connection. The other terminal is for a second hot wire called a switch leg that runs only between the switch and the light fixture. A standard single pole light switch will simply require you to attach the black load wire into it and then the black wire leaving the switch and to your lights.

This is commonly used to turn a table lamp on and off when entering a room. In this diagram 2 wire cable runs between sw1 and the outlet. How to wire a standard single pole light switch. Wiring a switch to a wall outlet.

Standard single pole switches do not connect to neutral circuit wire. The original intent was to have three way switching which didn t happen. Under the international electrical code is it permissible for one single pole switch to control another single pole switch. Touch the device to the old light switch or any exposed wires to ensure that there is no power coming to the wall.

Dennis from denver colorado asks. The switch serves to cut the power from reaching the light switch. The source is at sw1 and the hot wire is connected to one of the terminals there. Flipping the switch s lever opens and closes the hot wire circuit leading to the light fixture allowing you to turn it on and off at will.

In this first example i ll be wiring a one gang junction box that holds one single switch and that switch controls one single pendant light. Some contractors will lump certain rooms together when wiring meaning that a nearby bathroom that you thought was turned off could have several wires hooked up to the bedroom fuse. Wiring a single light switch in the middle of a circuit. The switch leg brings power to the fixture when the switch is turned on.

And this switch is pretty much right smack dab in the middle of the circuit with two switches before it and a few outlets after it in the circuit.