Which Wires go to which Screws on Light Switch?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Which Wires go to which Screws on Light Switch?
I'm trying to attach my new light switch with a dimmer next to the switch, but the back screw positioning where the wires are are a bit different (I purchased it online and the image of the back wasn't available). I understand that the green / copper wire goes to the green screw, but the other two black wires are a bit confusing.
One of the black wires is connected to a copper colored wire, and the other black wire is connected to 2 blue wires. That helps to distinguish the two, but I'm unsure to which screw the wires go. Please note that there are two switches on the wall, and the one on the left broke so it's being replaced.
In case the pics are confusing:
Old switch: Green screw on the bottom, brass color screws on the right side only (the plastic cover hides where the brass screws are).
New switch: Green screw on the top, brass color screws on the bottom half's left and right
Thanks in advance!
What the new and old switches looks like on the front: Attachment 107071
What the new switch looks like on the back:

What the old switch's reverse looks like:

One of the black wires is connected to a copper colored wire, and the other black wire is connected to 2 blue wires. That helps to distinguish the two, but I'm unsure to which screw the wires go. Please note that there are two switches on the wall, and the one on the left broke so it's being replaced.
In case the pics are confusing:
Old switch: Green screw on the bottom, brass color screws on the right side only (the plastic cover hides where the brass screws are).
New switch: Green screw on the top, brass color screws on the bottom half's left and right
Thanks in advance!
What the new and old switches looks like on the front: Attachment 107071
What the new switch looks like on the back:

What the old switch's reverse looks like:


#2
Member
I am only seeing half of the images.
Green screw is ground. Green or bare wires go there.
Both the old and the new switch have two screws. Move the wires from the old switch two screws to the new switch two screws. Position is not important.
Green screw is ground. Green or bare wires go there.
Both the old and the new switch have two screws. Move the wires from the old switch two screws to the new switch two screws. Position is not important.
iPenned
voted this post useful.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for your reply. So just to confirm, the two other (non-green) wires are interchangeable with either of the (non-green) screws?
Also, the other images seem to reappear after I refresh the page. Not sure why it does that.
Also, the other images seem to reappear after I refresh the page. Not sure why it does that.
Last edited by iPenned; 07-19-19 at 12:12 PM.