There are many configurations for wiring a standard switch. Much can depend on where the source of your power is located, if you are on the end of a circuit or if your switch is ahead or behind the light in question.

Electrical switches may need to be replaced

This is not a costly repair. Electrical switches interrupt the current by breaking the circuit to the conductor. The first thing to do before starting any work is to turn off the power at the main breaker. You'll then need to determine which type of electric power switch you are replacing.

Sometimes, more than one switch is used

Heating and cooling systems generally have more than one electric power switch. The system itself will have one switch on or near it. There will be another emergency electric power switch. This can be found much farther away from the system in the case that the problem causes the system to be a hazard to go near and it needs to be shut off. This emergency switch is usually in another room. The third switch will be on the circuit panel itself. This is also a safety measure and any problem with the system can cause it to blow a fuse or flip the electric power switch inside the panel to eliminate the hazard. Replacing a fuse or switch may fix the problem if it simply needed to be replaced due to age or failure. If replacement does not remedy the problem you will need to contact a professional to determine the cause.

Not all electrical switches are the same

A silent switch contains a spring mechanism that makes contact with a terminal to cause the flow of electricity when flipped to the on position. The mercury switch operates on a small cylinder that contains a small amount of mercury. The contact point drops below the mercury level when the switch is moved to the on position. The mercury creates the contact between two terminals to cause the flow of current. The toggle switch is the third of the electrical switches and is used most often. It has an armature that makes contact with two terminals when moved to the on position. The contact causes the electrical current to flow through to the appliance.

Electrical switch wiring follows some basic rules

When viewing the wires, you'll notice that they are color coded. At the switch, bare ground wires are connected and should be connected also to the grounding screw of the box. These bare wires are green. Neutral wires are white, while the black wires are live or "hot". Know your wires and how to check them. A handy tool to have for this job is a voltage meter. It is good practice even after you feel you have shut off power to double check for current before you begin work. After your work is completed, it is advisable, and required in some areas to have a professional come out and check you work. This way you have comfirmation that you've completed the job correctly and assistance if you've missed something.  

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