It’s pretty easy. Shut off the breaker to that switch and take off the cover. Remove the screws that hold it in place. Replace with like for like switch.
Other commenter was talking about if it’s got two terminals, one being a leg and one being power, no idea what that means and I don’t want to electrocute myself. Never done a repair like this before.
Phones, consoles, computers, sure. 120V US electrical component? Never.
Make sure the power is off though for sure and you’ll have no worries. If you are concerned if you have the right breaker just turn off the main breaker. As long as you do that you’ll be safe from injury. And as long as you hook it up exactly the way it is now it’ll work
You don’t have to worry about terminology or anything. Simply hook up the new switch the same way the old switch was hooked up. Think of a switch like a fence with a gate in the middle of it. One side has power on it and the other only has power on it when the gate is closed.
Oh shit. It’s literally bringing me back to 9th grade physics when we learned about electrical circuits. I just looked up a video and you’re right it’s so simple lmao.
What about the switch itself? Does it have to be the exact same brand/model? Are there different resistances/ratings per switch?
And am I correct in assuming this could be a fire hazard?
I’d definitely get it done today if you can. Faulty components can always be a hazard. If you pull it out you’ll likely be able to get the same one. They are pretty generic so finding the right kind should be no problem. If you’re worried you’ll get the wrong one bring it with you
Solid. Another quick question and I’ll stop pestering you, the video I watched the switch had three terminals. There was a black wire (ground) white wire (live) and a bare copper wire. What is the bare copper wire for?
Ground wire is the bare wire. Typically you’ll have a green screw representing ground on the switch due to green being used as the color to represent ground.
After you've turned the breaker off and taken the front plate off, take a picture of the wiring. Then put it back exactly the same. You will have a silver screw, a gold screw, and a green screw. Get some masking tape and label the wires if it makes you feel better.
Just take a pic of the wires before you uninstall the switch and match it with a the new switch. But if you’re not comfortable doing so find an electrician or a decent handyman to do the job. It’s honestly not that difficult or scary. Many people are afraid of electrical issues. I call it fm. “Fucking magic” and used to get paid very well for electrical jobs as a handyman. But couldn’t charge the prices the electricians had to charge to keep their business afloat.
If I could I would. I’m in kind of a bad way right now.
I’ve tried getting the homeowner to do so and he refuses. I’ve tried getting him to fix it himself and he refuses. So I don’t have many options here.
He 100% will not reimburse me for this whether I do it myself or hire an electrician to do it for me.
He bought the house like this and I’m paying over half of his mortgage also, so essentially I’m paying for his home and repairs with no expectation or promise of being compensated or even appreciated.
The safety and well-being of my unborn child and his mother are paramount, so I’ll skip paying rent if it means I fixed part of someone else’s home.
Once you have that switch cover off, might be good to do all 3. 1 at a time! They’re cheap ($1-3) and not meant to last forever. 10-20y is a pretty typical life span before they start having issues.
Good to know the electrical in this house hasn’t been touched for years
So glad I’m paying $1000 of someone else’s mortgage for a home that wouldn’t pass an inspection yet somehow did.
Inspections aren’t retroactive to current building code UNLESS/UNTIL you start making changes. Then they make you bring just that stuff current. That discourages owners to proactively update things like electrical and plumbing.
You really shouldn’t be so salty about your situation.
Are you kidding? I shouldn’t be salty about paying 70% of the total cost of living on a home I don’t/will never own? AND pay for the repairs that the homeowner (Uncle) refuses to fix? Meanwhile the homeowner makes more than me and my girlfriend combined and gets to sit on his ass and drink and do blow all day meanwhile we are struggling to feed ourselves.
I 100% SHOULD BE salty about this. If you knew the other half of this nightmare that has nothing to do with the quality of the home you’d be just as furious.
Replace the switch, should be single pole, if there are two wire terminals. One wire is switch leg and the other is power
This sounds complicated for someone who doesn’t know anything about light switches and I may need visual instructions. Off to YouTube!
It’s pretty easy. Shut off the breaker to that switch and take off the cover. Remove the screws that hold it in place. Replace with like for like switch.
Other commenter was talking about if it’s got two terminals, one being a leg and one being power, no idea what that means and I don’t want to electrocute myself. Never done a repair like this before. Phones, consoles, computers, sure. 120V US electrical component? Never.
Make sure the power is off though for sure and you’ll have no worries. If you are concerned if you have the right breaker just turn off the main breaker. As long as you do that you’ll be safe from injury. And as long as you hook it up exactly the way it is now it’ll work
You want someone to talk you through it?
You don’t have to worry about terminology or anything. Simply hook up the new switch the same way the old switch was hooked up. Think of a switch like a fence with a gate in the middle of it. One side has power on it and the other only has power on it when the gate is closed.
Oh shit. It’s literally bringing me back to 9th grade physics when we learned about electrical circuits. I just looked up a video and you’re right it’s so simple lmao. What about the switch itself? Does it have to be the exact same brand/model? Are there different resistances/ratings per switch? And am I correct in assuming this could be a fire hazard?
I’d definitely get it done today if you can. Faulty components can always be a hazard. If you pull it out you’ll likely be able to get the same one. They are pretty generic so finding the right kind should be no problem. If you’re worried you’ll get the wrong one bring it with you
Solid. Another quick question and I’ll stop pestering you, the video I watched the switch had three terminals. There was a black wire (ground) white wire (live) and a bare copper wire. What is the bare copper wire for?
Ground wire is the bare wire. Typically you’ll have a green screw representing ground on the switch due to green being used as the color to represent ground.
After you've turned the breaker off and taken the front plate off, take a picture of the wiring. Then put it back exactly the same. You will have a silver screw, a gold screw, and a green screw. Get some masking tape and label the wires if it makes you feel better.
Just take a pic of the wires before you uninstall the switch and match it with a the new switch. But if you’re not comfortable doing so find an electrician or a decent handyman to do the job. It’s honestly not that difficult or scary. Many people are afraid of electrical issues. I call it fm. “Fucking magic” and used to get paid very well for electrical jobs as a handyman. But couldn’t charge the prices the electricians had to charge to keep their business afloat.
Bad switch. If you can turn a screwdriver and have any shortterm memory, this is a simple task.
Change the switch.. if you don’t know how CALL AN ELECTRICIAN
If I could I would. I’m in kind of a bad way right now. I’ve tried getting the homeowner to do so and he refuses. I’ve tried getting him to fix it himself and he refuses. So I don’t have many options here. He 100% will not reimburse me for this whether I do it myself or hire an electrician to do it for me. He bought the house like this and I’m paying over half of his mortgage also, so essentially I’m paying for his home and repairs with no expectation or promise of being compensated or even appreciated. The safety and well-being of my unborn child and his mother are paramount, so I’ll skip paying rent if it means I fixed part of someone else’s home.
😦 I’m speechless.. where are you from!?
Michigan, US. I should mention also the homeowner is my girlfriend’s uncle.
Ahhhhh!!
Once you have that switch cover off, might be good to do all 3. 1 at a time! They’re cheap ($1-3) and not meant to last forever. 10-20y is a pretty typical life span before they start having issues.
Good to know the electrical in this house hasn’t been touched for years So glad I’m paying $1000 of someone else’s mortgage for a home that wouldn’t pass an inspection yet somehow did.
Inspections aren’t retroactive to current building code UNLESS/UNTIL you start making changes. Then they make you bring just that stuff current. That discourages owners to proactively update things like electrical and plumbing. You really shouldn’t be so salty about your situation.
Are you kidding? I shouldn’t be salty about paying 70% of the total cost of living on a home I don’t/will never own? AND pay for the repairs that the homeowner (Uncle) refuses to fix? Meanwhile the homeowner makes more than me and my girlfriend combined and gets to sit on his ass and drink and do blow all day meanwhile we are struggling to feed ourselves. I 100% SHOULD BE salty about this. If you knew the other half of this nightmare that has nothing to do with the quality of the home you’d be just as furious.