LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT IN WEST KNOXVILLE TN

Did you just buy a new electrical light switch for your home and have zero idea how to install it? Do you need help with LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT IN KNOXVILLE TN? Sounds good you are in the right place. 

If you don't have any tools and have never done this project before. Don't worry I've been doing this type of work for years and have a lot of experience on the job. And can replace your light switch quickly, efficiently, and clean up after the job is complete. 

***IMPORTANT*** ELECTRICITY IS DANGEROUS IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. AND CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! 

One of my friends who is a retired industrial electrician almost died on the job being hit with 480 volts!!! 😳

This job requires shutting breakers off at the electrical panel. 

You don't want to waste your valuable free time on the weekend trying to tackle this project on your own or get hurt. Instead, you want to enjoy time off with your family and friends and not think about yet another home repair project on the to-do list. 

Please fill out my contact form here: >>>I WANT AN ESTIMATE!<<< If you want to learn some helpful tips and things to consider before buying an electrical light switch online or in a store, continue reading below to learn more.

SINGLE POLE LIGHT SWITCH

To start off let's talk about the most basic electrical lighting switch and that is the common single-pole switch.

How it works is very simple. One electrical switch controls one light fixture. Done that's it in the most basic form. For example, a 14/2 wire is used in this situation. The 14 is the gauge size and the "/2" means two wires with a ground. One neutral and one black. This will make more sense once I explain how a three-way circuit works.

When buying a new single pole switch it will usually have two brass screws on the side of it with a green ground screw. It will install with either 14 or 12 gauge wiring. With the 14 gauge, you can stab in the holes behind the switch and with the 12 gauge, it wraps around the two brass-colored screws.

I will show you a basic diagram of how this single pole circuit works.

THREE WAY LIGHT SWITCH

A three-way switch works slightly differently than a single pole and let me explain how. Now that you understand how a single-pole switch works the three-way is similar. It still has the two brass-colored screws and green ground screws. But now it has an additional black [COMMON] screw on the switch.

This black [COMMON] screw is very important and what makes a three-way switch different. I don't want to make it very complicated for you to understand but basically, this common screw attaches to either a hot wire or switch leg on the circuit.

Then those two brass screws attach to what is referred to in the industry as "TRAVELLER SCREWS". These two traveler screws allow the lighting circuit to be flipped from either end of the circuit.

Remember a three-way switch means you control the light fixture[s] from two locations.

If you do not understand this basic concept just skip to the bottom of the page and please fill out my contact form to get started.

FOUR WAY LIGHT SWITCH

This is where things get complicated. The basic version of how a four-way switch works are usually three or more switches to control the light fixtures. When you look at the mechanics of the four-way switch it has two brass-colored and two black screws with a green ground.

I will not confuse or complicate you with how the four-way circuit works because if you don't understand the three-way, you won't understand how the four-way system operates. But to give you a quick example, the beginning, and end of the circuit requires a three-way switch. Then you can have an indefinite amount of four-way switches in between. So if you understand this you don't need to hire me. 🤣 But if you still don't understand please fill out the contact form below.

DIMMER SWITCH

Probably the most common reason people replace light switches is to replace them with a dimmer switch. This is usually by far the main request I get. Other times it's just replacing a light switch that has finally failed after thousands of cycles on and off.

The number one thing to consider when buying a new dimmer switch is to MAKE SURE THE DIMMER IS LED BULB COMPATIBLE!!! This I cannot stress enough. For example, if you have old school 60W light bulbs from eons ago. Well, first you should replace them with energy-efficient LED light bulbs. But the mistake happens when you install a new dimmer switch on old school bulbs. The bulbs will flicker, and this is extremely annoying.

They still sell older dimmer switches that are compatible with 60W bulbs. So do your due diligence and read the product description on the packaging.

SMART APP LIGHTING SWITCHES

The new kid on the block is these "SmartApp" switches flooding the marketplace nowadays. I will not cover all the different manufacturers who now produce these smartapp switches. But if you decide to go this route. I highly suggest you read all the reviews online first before even thinking about ordering them.

Since this is new technology. Problems can arise compared to the mechanical switches used for generations.

They have endless different options to choose from when you get these smart switches. From controlling the lights remotely thru wifi/data on your cellphone. To have it act like a timmer and dimmer switch as well. To lots of other features, I'm not even aware of yet. Again do your due diligence beforehand when going this route.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Let's talk about the two most common styles of light switches. The standard toggle switch is the one everyone is familiar with. You flip the switch up or down to turn it on or off. The second common type is called DECORA. The decora is the more aesthetically pleasing vertical rectangle style switch. Usually used on higher-end homes or for anyone looking for a more modern look. They do cost a little bit more than the standard toggle switch. But they function exactly the same.

Then we get to the faceplates. The standard faceplates have screws to secure to the light switches. They make screwless faceplates. which has a plate that goes behind and then you click the faceplate onto that.

Different kinds of light switches on the market include; a stack switch, outlet/switch, timer switch, motion sensor switch, and more.

A stack switch is two light switches per 1 gang electrical box. Timer switches are handy to install for example bathroom exhaust fans. And motion sensor switches usually are installed in commercial settings. To save on utility bills when no one is in an office room. Also in commercial/store bathrooms, they install motion switches there as well.

I NEED HELP REPLACING MY LIGHT SWTICH!

Great, text or call me at (865) 375-5273 and I will be happy to help. Don't stress yourself out trying to do this yourself. Instead, hire me a professional handyman that is an expert in LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT in KNOXVILLE TN. Please fill out the contact form here: >>>I WANT AN ESTIMATE!<<< and I will get you booked on my schedule!

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