The switch tag has no wiki summary.
3
votes
3answers
897 views
Do you know any switches which turns on/off based on day light?
I am looking for having some sensor based switches which will turn on/off the lights based on the light conditions during the day (i.e. turn on when there is less light and turn off when there is more ...
1
vote
1answer
194 views
Why am I measuring low voltage when I connect this fluorescent fixture to an existing circuit?
My bathroom has two switches: one [was] connected to two overhead can lights (with CFLs), and one [was] connected to a fluorescent wall sconce (one of those ugly circular plastic things that I can't ...
2
votes
1answer
271 views
Does anyone make a gfci switch/outlet combo that includes a nightlight?
Basically what the question asked above. I've been through three stores and the closest I came was a Pass and Seymour switch/outlet combo with a snap in LED light, but it wasn't a GFCI. I'm hoping to ...
4
votes
3answers
387 views
What's a good way to customize or recess a lightswitch?
I saw this etsy project:
Working Arcade Light Switch
And while it's pretty cool, I'm not huge into arcade or fighting games, so I was going to make my own, and change the buttons.
How would be a ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
How should I wire a GFCI outlet and a switch to isolate the switch but provide GFCI protection further in the series?
I am replacing the outlets for my garbage disposal/dishwasher circuit in my kitchen. Currently on that breaker there is one non-GFCI outlet with a pigtailed switch controlling the garbage disposal and ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
is it possible to do a 3 way switch if power source is in the second switch?
In my research on how to install a 3 way switch, i've seen different ways on how to install the wires but i haven't found the schema that would help me in my situation.
Here's a screenshot of my ...
4
votes
3answers
480 views
How can I utilize a light switch for a specific outlet?
I just moved into a new apartment and in one of the bedrooms, there is a light switch that switches one of the outlets on and off. Unfortunately, this outlet is placed in the opposite side of the room ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I install a one-way switch w/ pilot light?
I am trying to replace a very old one-way switch with a pilot light (light comes on when the switch is on). The original switch was extremely old, and used quick-install terminals ONLY. Even worse, ...
1
vote
1answer
824 views
When I turn on my light switch, there is a delay before the light comes on
We have a ceiling fan light. One swith controls the fan, the other the light. When I turn on the light switch, there is a noticable delay (like a full second) before the light comes on. Is it a ...
4
votes
1answer
174 views
Where can I purchase push button electrical switches?
Our old house has push button light switches. I would like to find some modern replica switches and face plates for use in some electrical improvements. I have checked at our local home improvement ...
2
votes
1answer
868 views
How to add GFCI to a box with one outlet controlled by a switch?
I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to electrical work, though I do know my way around a circuit diagram, thanks to some EE courses in college. I think this is one I can do myself, I just would ...
9
votes
2answers
276 views
Where can I get a switch for a 30A circuit?
I would like to add a switch to a 30A plug, but I am having trouble finding one (they are all rated at 15a/20a). Is there a reason you can't buy 30A switches or is it called something different?
To ...
4
votes
1answer
224 views
What should I do with a 3-way light switch that is no longer needed?
How do I get rid of a 3-way switch? I am rewiring some lights in an older home and found that one of the switches is a 3-way. However, the light it was originally for was removed years ago. So we ...
4
votes
1answer
784 views
Why does voltage still exists when a circuit is broken by a 3-way switch?
My parents got a ceiling light for my parents for Christmas, which I was tasked with installing. I don't know why I bothered to check the voltage before putting the new fixture on (and after taking ...
0
votes
1answer
405 views
How can I add a light switch to an existing lighting circuit?
I have a Light switch that runs four lights, I would like to add a switch to the last light. Is this possible and how could this be wired?
1
vote
1answer
103 views
Is there a remote switch I can use to replace a switch located in a wall being removed?
I am removing two walls that contain light switches for the dining, and kitchen ceiling lights. Is there a wireless switch I can use for control, without fishing wires into the existing walls?
1
vote
0answers
91 views
Which electrical switch do I require? [closed]
I am confused at what to purchase to replace a 3 light switch and one of the lights is 2 way. It gives me the option of 2G 2 way, 3G 2 way or 4G 2way. Which do I need to purchase?
1
vote
3answers
2k views
What did I do wrong??! Wiring error is tripping circuit breaker
Here's the scoop:
There are 3 switches in my hallway. One switch on side A and two switches on side B. Side A switch controls same light as one switch on Side B. I replaced the switch on Side A ...
6
votes
1answer
250 views
How can I get my Self-Destruct switches to do something?
In my house, there were some confusing panels of that had lots of switches on them, so I bought a labeling machine and put labels over all the switches in the house.
There are two blank switches next ...
2
votes
2answers
395 views
how can i find electric short from room to fuse box?
When I came home last night the wife was setting in the dark in the bedroom. Why are the two hall lights strobing I ask? She did not know, she took a nap and when she woke no power in the room. ok??? ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I wire these dimmer switches? The current wiring is crazy
I've installed light switches in other parts of our house, but there is one pair of dimmers that mystifies me. One is a normal dimmer and one is supposed to be a three way dimmer, but the latter is ...
3
votes
3answers
465 views
Is there a way to mark/label a special use switch?
I'm going to be rewiring my front porch light, and in the process I've decided to pull cable for a switched receptacle for Christmas lights. I'm going to install a 2 gang box for both switches ...
3
votes
1answer
194 views
Identify type of switch
Can anyone identify the type of switch this is? There are 4 connectors at the bottom and 3 at the top.
I've already purchased a 2 gang 2 way switch which turned out to be the wrong one (it only has ...
3
votes
1answer
925 views
Is my dimmer switch failing or is it bad wiring?
A few days ago my wife mentioned that there was a "burning smell" near the kitchen, but it went away before I could investigate. Today I turned on the dimmer switch in my kitchen, and the lights began ...
4
votes
2answers
276 views
Triple switch plate size issue
I have a plate of 3 light switches that's just taking up too much real-estate. See picture below:
As you can see, I've got a bookcase right next to it, and I could use a little more room there. The ...
1
vote
2answers
313 views
What's the best lubricant for a refrigerator water dispenser switch?
The water dispenser on my refrigerator sticks when you press it in. Sometimes it pops right out, and sometimes it stays in for 10-15 seconds. I've taken it apart a couple of times, cleaned it out, and ...
2
votes
1answer
406 views
adding new power outlet, ceiling fan/switch kills the power to it when on
I'm adding a new power outlet for some electronics. I'm dropping a 12/2 wire from the attic where I'm attaching it to a junction box. The junction box has an existing wire, 12/2, and a 14/2 wire ...
2
votes
1answer
691 views
How to determine what 3-way switch system was used?
How can I tell if an old Knob & Tube 3-way switch is still legal by the modern NEC? Specifically I am trying to tell if my switch is a "California 3-way" (or "Coast 3-way", "Hollywood 3-way", ...
8
votes
7answers
2k views
Home light switch circuit with 5 switches
I'm new to the amazing wold of electronics and starting out small. I think...
Early 2010 me and the wife bought a house that was build in 1979. Now I started replacing light switches and encountered ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Covered or Locking Light Switch?
I have an attic fan that is operated by a regular old light (toggle) switch. The problem is that the switch was installed by the previous owner in the master walk-in closet, right where one would ...
2
votes
1answer
144 views
Is it safe to replace a switch with a dimmer on halogen spots?
I live in Europe (so we're on 220V), and in the house we've got two halogen spots (on a transformer) on a plain switch.
Is it safe to replace the switch with a dimmer (like these)? Do the transformer ...
1
vote
2answers
278 views
How do I install a 2 gang low voltage bracket?
Purchased varying 1 gang and 2 gang low voltage screw-in type brackets as seen here.
Upon inspection they appeared to simply sit in the wall with the the screws being screwed into the side of the dry ...
1
vote
1answer
177 views
Installing a surface switch
I have a little utility room with bare cement walls. So I want to install a little surface switch. As far as i understand normally switches are installed on a hot wire, but this switch has no ...
2
votes
1answer
310 views
Adding new lights to a switch
I have a single light controlled by a switch in my garage. It's really pathetic, so I decided to add some shop lights to the same switch.
Upon opening up the light wiring box, I found not 1 but 4 ...
6
votes
1answer
291 views
What do I need to replace 4 light switches on the same circuit?
So we have a single light in our living room that can be turned on/off from four different switches at various entrances to the living room.
We're currently replacing all the switches in our house as ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
Is it ok to wire light switches and lights with 12/2 cable?
It sounds like light switches and lights are usually wired with 14/2 cable. Is it okay to use 12/2 cable instead? Would I need special switches?
1
vote
2answers
264 views
Installing a switch for a water heater's lower element
I'd like to install a switch for the lower element of my water heater. I haven't even looked inside the water heater yet, but I'm a little confused about what the best way to go about doing this ...
8
votes
1answer
5k views
How exactly does a 3-way switch work?
I just finished replacing all of the switches and outlets in my apartment, after fighting a long war with a weird 3-way switch. Needless to say, I won, but I'm still trying to grasp the concept of how ...
1
vote
4answers
2k views
How do I take a live wire off of a two way switch?
if I know how to take the live wire off then my job is easier.
7
votes
4answers
571 views
What should I do with a double gang box if I no longer need two separate switches?
We're relocating our TV to a side of our living room that has a power outlet controlled by a wall switch. The switch is part of a double gang box (1 switch controls the porch light, the other ...
