Need a little help with a light switch

Yes you're missing the neutral wires. I assume a older house?

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Originally Posted by kwando

Yes you're missing the neutral wires. I assume a older house?

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1994, there's neutrals in the box but they weren't connected to the old switch.

Find the right coupon, an you can get a meter free at Harbor freight. Works fine for average tasks, and inexpensive enough to keep one in vehicle, toolbox, garage, camper, etc..

Think of the black wire as a water pipe with water flowing through it. The water needs to flow into the switch, then back out to the lights. You should be able to pull out that neutral bundle and grab one to plug into your new switch. This will be kind of difficult to do over the internet, and there are much better people to help you than me, but with enough pictures and description from you, we should be able to get you going.

Attachment 56785

This switch requires power to function, that is why you need a neutral wire.

The two that were connected together and to the other switch are your line, connect those to the line on your new switch. The other black is the wire to the lights, connect that to the load on your new switch. You will need to add a pigtail to the neutral bunch to connect it to your switch. Lastly connect to ground.

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Originally Posted by newracer

The two that were connected together and to the other switch are your line, connect those to the line on your new switch. The other black is the wire to the lights, connect that to the load on your new switch. You will need to add a pigtail to the neutral bunch to connect it to your switch. Lastly connect to ground.

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All set up, switch is working. The above worked perfectly. I guess I just wasn't wrapping my head around it properly since there was no ground or neutral on the other switch.

Thanks guys, hope you're staying warm

I'd still pick up at least 1 of those HF volt meter/testers (especially for free). Even if you have to pay for it, they're usually on sale for $3 or $4. Even if you just use it to check flashlight/smoke detector batteries.

ETA: I have one nice test meter, but probably at least half dozen or more of the HF's floating around.

Nevermind, somebody else already got it. I have nothing useful to contribute.. :)

Glad you got it hooked up and working. I second crays recommendation. I have several of the HF multimeters, they work good enough for most tasks.