A single-pole switch has two brass terminal screws on the side that receive the black (“hot”) wires of the circuit. One black wire comes from the power source and the other goes to the light(s).

Does it matter which wire goes where on a single pole switch?

In the case of a single-pole switch, these wires are interchangeable—it doesn’t make any difference which wire is attached to which screw terminal. Inside the switch is a metal pathway that closes when the switch is in the ON position and opens to interrupt the flow of power when the switch is turned OFF.

When wiring a single pole switch what are the wires connected to it?





When wiring a single pole switch, it is only necessary to connect the black (power side) cable to the switch. The white (neutral) wire and the ground connection are always “on” or always connected to the light, even when it is turned off.

Which wires go to which terminal?

A black or red-hot wire usually connects to a brass-colored screw terminal or black wire lead on electrical devices. A white neutral wire usually connects to a silver-colored terminal or white wire lead.

What terminal should be connected in single way switch?

A single-pole switch has two brass-colored screw terminals that are connected to the hot, or power-source, wires. These wires are usually black in color. One brass terminal is designated for the incoming hot wire from the power source, and the other is for the outgoing hot wire to the fixture.

How do you wire a single pole switch?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So we have the ground ready to go and here's a single pole switch. So we're gonna go around the green terminal in the clockwise manner. We're gonna crimp and tighten it down securely.

How do you wire up a single pole light switch?





Steps for Wiring a Single-Pole Switch

  1. Turn Off the Power First. …
  2. Remove the Existing Switch (If Necessary) …
  3. Strip the Electrical Insulation From the Wires. …
  4. Connecting the New Switch. …
  5. Wrap With Electrical Tape for Added Safety. …
  6. Turn on The Power and Test Switch.


What wire goes to L1 and L2?

The yellow wire goes into the common terminal, red goes into the L1 terminal and blue goes into the L2 terminal. The grey wire goes in the common terminal, the brown wire goes in the L1 terminal and the black wire goes in the L2 terminal. You can switch on or off the light from 2 different locations.

What does L1 L2 and COM mean?

The single direction plane switch has two L1 terminals, the terminal to which the neutral cable is connected – the blue cable (traditional black, before changing). COM or Common is the terminal to which the live core cable is connected – this is the brown cable (red era).

What does L1 and L2 mean on a light switch?



A two way switch (for switching a light from two different locations like in a hallway) has a common (C) a L1 and an L2 terminal. L1 is off when L2 is on and vice versa depending on the switch position. You can use a two way switch for one way switching. Just ignore the L2 terminal.

How do you know if its L1 or L2?

L1 (line 1) is a red wire and L2 (line 2) is a black wire. Together, they show the motor voltage. Having both an L1 and L2 indicate that the motor voltage may be 240 volts.

Does live wire go to common or L1?

Wiring a One Way Switch



A one way light switch has two terminals which is a common marked as COM or C. The common is for the live wire that supplies the input voltage to the switch. The other terminal is marked as L1 and is the output to the light fixture.

Where do the red and black wires go on a light switch?



Basic Knowledge of How to Wire a Light Switch

  • Black Wire – This is the hot or load wire.
  • White Wire – This is the neutral wire.
  • Bare Copper (Green) Wire – This is your ground wire.
  • Red Wire – This wire is used for 3 or 4 way switches and will connect the switches together so they can each control your lights.


What does the red wire connect to on a light switch?

Red wire: The second hot/traveler wire is the red wire that serves the same purpose as the black wire between the two switch boxes. Depending on toggle switch configuration, either the red wire or the black wire will be hot if the light is on, but not both.

Where does the red wire go?

Red wires are usually used as secondary hot wires. Red wires are also hot and should be clearly marked to avoid the dangers of electrocution. Red wires are commonly used when installing ceiling fans, where the light switch maybe.

Where does the red wire go on a light?



How to Connect the Red Wire for a Ceiling Light Fixture. The red wire is most likely a spare wire that was intended to be used when wiring for a ceiling fan. Typically when a ceiling fan is installed the red wire is most commonly used for the light and the black is commonly for the fan motor.

Does red wire go to white or black?

Attach the black wire to the outlet you want to always be on (usually the top one) and the red wire to the switched outlet. Connect the white wire to either of the chrome screws (remember, they are still joined) and the ground wire to the green ground screw.

Do black and red wires go together?

These wires are typically used for switch wiring as well as the interconnection between smoke detectors hard-wired into the power system. You can link two red wires together, or you can link a red wire to a black wire. Since red wires conduct current, they are considered hot.