Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

I'm replacing the light switch in my bath and bought a new switch, but
this one looks different than the old one I took out. It has three
screws two on the side and one green one on the top. THe old one only
had one on each side. Now I replaced the switch and hooked up the green
wire with the green (ground) screw on the top and the red wire on one
of the screws on the other side but its not working. I know the old
switch is broken cause when I hit the switch I can see that there is a
short in the switch when I wiggle it. But this new switch should work
right? What did I do wrong? Or should I just take it back and get
another?

Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

if you have only two wires,put one on each side of the switch.

http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm

Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

So you have a green wire and a red wire only? If you only have two wires,
then you don't have grounding support, and they should be connected to the
two side terminals. If there are three wires, then you'll want to connect
the green wire to the ground (green) terminal and the other two wires to
the remaining two terminals.


Jeb

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Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

Thanks, does it matter which terminals on the side I attach the wires?

Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

No it doesn't. Good luck.

Thanks, does it matter which terminals on the side I attach the wires?


Jeb

____________________________________
Posted via Homerepairlive.com
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Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

Replacing old light switch in bath.
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm replacing the light switch in my bath and bought a new switch, but
this one looks different than the old one I took out. It has three
screws two on the side and one green one on the top. THe old one only
had one on each side. Now I replaced the switch and hooked up the green
wire with the green (ground) screw on the top and the red wire on one
of the screws on the other side but its not working. I know the old
switch is broken cause when I hit the switch I can see that there is a
short in the switch when I wiggle it. But this new switch should work
right? What did I do wrong? Or should I just take it back and get
another?


DO NOT connect the green wire to the green screw! It could be very
dangerous, since it sounds like the green wire, in this case, may be
energized at line voltage. You have a wiring problem in your house, at least
with regard to wire colors. The two wires should be something other than
green. I strongly urge you to have an electrician check into this.

Ben Miller

--
Benjamin D. Miller, PE
B. MILLER ENGINEERING
www.bmillerengineering.com