How to wire a Double Switch

In this video, I show how to wire a double switch by converting a single switch that controls two lights into a double switch that controls the lights individually.
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[@AGueroAFuera]

You're like the helpful Dad I never had growing up, as a 33 year old man learning all of these projects and doing them in my house. Thank you very much.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@dongoble415]

Thanks for the lesson. I purchased a double switch thinking it would be straightforward. I couldn't get the second switch to work at all until watching this video and realized I needed to change to 14/3 wire. Adding that neutral made my day.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@professorfranko5921]

This is simple and completely on the money, this is my first time commenting on an instructional video, but it just helped so much. Just watching this video once makes me feel like a master already!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@reddrewster399]

Perfect explanation of the switch. Thank you so much. Particularly helpful starting at the 3 min mark, where you explain the purpose of the tab if you have only one hot wire, then pointing out the two BRASS screws (as different from the black screws). Other KZbin videos weren't as good as yours.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much 😊

[@elonewinston1043]

So my box where the switch connects looks like the video. But the black wires are capped at the fixture, with only the white and red wires in use. How would I proceed then?

[@handydadtv]

@elonewinston1043 I don’t know what you want to do.

[@elonewinston1043]

@@handydadtv I'd like to add another switch to control two lights. Currently, one switch controls 2 lights. However, at the fixture black wires are capped off and the fixture is connected to red wire, white wire, and ground.

[@handydadtv]

@elonewinston1043 How is the current switch wired? How is the other light wired? Where do those black wires go? Open everything up and use a voltage tester to figure it out. You may need to run a new wire for the second light.

[@sarenak29]

I was racking my brain for over an hour trying to figure out how to convert my single switch to a double and man did this help. Thank you, being able to see the full picture was so helpful.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@quantumstone992]

You not alone, Sarena. I'm a contractor but never did electrical work before, but I want to learn. I'm not a fast learner, need to watch feel times before I'm able to do it. Hope you did learn. Rogerio from canada 🇨🇦.

[@jacquelinedennis3861]

I had replaced a double switch without first taking note of the wire placements beforehand. Duh! So, I sourced this video and learned what I did wrong. Now, the switches are finally working as desired. Thank you!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@rrichard5515]

Outstanding video, short and sweet and easy to understand! Many videos are far too long.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@loramcclamrock5549]

Beautifully clear and concise! I thought I needed a double gang box for a junction, but i dont! Thank you!!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@gregorymorris10]

I appreciate the thorough and easy to follow explanations and instructions. I am not sure that I have even encountered a double switch before. This tutorial presents me with a possible solution -- I will have to test it out -- for a pre-existing circuit of two light devices/receptacles controlled by two 3-way switches in a single loop-of-sorts, that I am wishing to split into more independent lights/receptacles & controls.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@Rayeo_TNJ]

Perfect explanation. Need to use a double switch for basement lights and outdoor light. This helped, thank you.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@empressmarowynn]

Thank you so much. My first time trying to repair anything electrical in my house and this was perfect.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@jsubs]

Thank you for the video, it is exactly what I was looking for.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@catrachoforeigner7140]

Perfectly explain clear and concise I give you a 10/10 score

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much 😊

[@JackCarlson-l4x]

Thank you. That was very helpful for my bathfan/nightlight combo replacement switch

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@Eric.Mercado]

Fantastic! You have a great teachings ability my friend. You were able to explain this is the most simplest terms while being detailed and thorough. I've watched tons of other videos like this and always walked away more confused! Thank you for this.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@MOPAC85]

Another great video! Your approach to explaining is the best I’ve seen so far. Where can I send you a photo or 2 of a scenario like this I found at an AIRBNB basketball court lights? I would like for you to see how he wired it up and what happened next.

[@handydadtv]

Thanks so much 😊 Email [e-mail]

[@tonylozano2742]

Great video. You explained it perfectly. You helped me out, thank you. 👍

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@KevinMaloney-yy1cp]

The video was helpful. The color of the wires in my box led to some confusion. A multi-meter was used. The end result was successful.

[@handydadtv]

Electricity doesn’t care what color the wire is. You did the right thing. 👍🏻

[@orelax27]

Great video. Instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow. And it worked on first try.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@rg1809]

You told me everything I need to know except the thing I need to know: How to remove the tab if I have two hots.

[@rg1809]

The answer to this puzzle is brute force. I pried it up away from the surface with a screwdriver. With pliers, grabbed the tag and pulled and twisted and finally, it broke. Be sure the remnant has a clear break in the metal and you can see plastic. You should be aware of this point before you start, as it might fracture at the gap. It is easy to work the tab at the top, rather than grabbing it as close to the housing as you can get.

[@handydadtv]

Oh sorry I didn’t show that. I just wiggle it back and forth with needle nose pliers.

[@brian.beatty]

Breaking that little tab was unnecessarily difficult... to the point that I thought I must be doing this wrong and was accidentally breaking the entire outlet. Brute force eventually worked, despite losing chunks of the little leverage I had as parts of the tab fell apart. Good luck!

[@rainventrecords7274]

Thanks was really helpful...I connected the hot to the common sides and either switch controlled the light

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@user-jv4wu4kt1y]

This is a great video, but I feel that it’s semi important to note that usually there won’t be a red wire in this situation. It makes it easier for demonstration purposes but there’s not gonna be a red wire. Just multiple black and white wires. You’re gonna have the incoming power source and then switch line one and then another switch line two. Basically imagine the red wire was black and it makes no difference. It just makes it easier to show on video if it’s red But usually you’d be seeing three black wires, three white wires, and three ground wires One black wire will be the power source and the other two black wires will be running to whatever they run to… lights or fans or whatever device So you wire the black wire that’s constantly hot (power source wire) to the side of the switch with the tab on it (black screw) and the other two black wires will be wired the side of the switch with no tab on it the side with the brass screws.

[@handydadtv]

Good point. I’ll put the idea on my list to revise this without the red wire.

[@JoseRamirez-vr1eh]

Thank you for the video very helpful, God bless you and your family, JLR.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@joerodriguez6042]

Hey I had my kitchen and deck light come on for yrs with the same switch , thanks to you problem solved ! Tyvm 🤙🏼

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@Jake-zk3eb]

thanks man, really easy to follow

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@philipzanoni]

Thank you I was trying to figure out how to wire my fan light combo with a 12-2 wire coming from my power source and you just showed me

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@ejrSpAcE]

Is that a flat blade screwdriver? Always wanted to see someone actually using one how it was intended to be used. Instead there's people stabbing others, thieves trying to break into something, you get the point. Nice informative simple to follow video sir. Sehr gut!!!

[@handydadtv]

Thanks

[@jairomontelongo7883]

Super helpful, thank you sir.

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure

[@josephsunseri3934]

Thanks, your video was very helpful.

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@ricodinero4926]

sir your time is very appreciated, thank you!

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@juanlooez756]

Thanks for the video so helpful

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@tlctilljcb]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@levicallis459]

My buddy always taught me black to gold , you never go cold ( hot wire to gold screw ) so much for that lol

[@handydadtv]

👍🏻

[@carwashpowerbrake2779]

Exact answer to my question. Thank you!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@the_swinging_axe]

Thank you!!!

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@johnbir7509]

Perfect! My issue is that there is a fourth Romex wire coming into the box in the bathroom. (Two are going to the bathroom fan and the light, one is the supply.) I guess it is just placed there to supply power to the hallway light, which is on the same circuit. I will pigtail the 2 black supply wires so that i only need to screw one black wire into the double switch. This was not my original problem, unfortunately. The light bulbs in the vanity light fixture started flickering then shutting off for no apparent reason. I thought it was the switch that was bad when I discovered the extra wire coming from the hall. Thought this would be an easy fix!

[@handydadtv]

That’s a lot of wires for a single box.

[@ralphkroetch1983]

Wanting to run a bathroom light and fan to be controlled by the two separate switch's you demonstrate here. The current power supply is a three wire= white/black/ground, thus no red wire. Can I pigtail an additional wire from the hot all the time Black and mark it with red OR locate a section of Red wire to pig tail from the black the follow your instruction as in this video?

[@handydadtv]

You probably have a simple switch loop, meaning the white wire was attached to the switch. Sounds like you need to rewire.

[@michaelm6016]

great video, it just got me out of a jam!

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@khalidkhan-jp4hb]

Thanks for sharing.

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@tommy516]

Super helpful

[@handydadtv]

Thanks 😊

[@KetanKurani]

Thank you so much for your videos, i have already added additional outlets from single outlet by following your video. I am trying to now convert a single switch (recessed LED lights) to a double switch (recessed + new wall light). Which option would you recommend. Option 1: I have two romex 14/2 wires can i still connect double switch? Option 2: pig tale the hot supply line and put 2 independent switches since i have already concealed the wiring.

[@handydadtv]

If you can use a 2-gang box, I prefer two switches instead of a double switch. But that’s me.

[@dirtysouthceo]

Thank you kindly

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@user-es4py3lg5c]

Great videos! Thanks! Question. I’m installing recessed lighting in new construction. The wires are pushed into the connectors…is it important to push the wires back into the metal box on the LED recessed light? Thank you!

[@handydadtv]

Yes. All connections must be enclosed in the junction box.

[@scottm3130]

Should there be three neutral wires ?

[@handydadtv]

Not necessarily.

[@scottm3130]

@@handydadtv wouldn’t the power source have the same three wires as the lights . A hot a neutral and a ground.

[@handydadtv]

In my example, one of the cables is 14/3 which has one of the switched leads. So there’s only two neutrals.

[@MikeT1775]

Great video, clear and informative Thanks brother!

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure

[@AmilcarP]

Thank you for the explanation. I have a situation like the second part where I have a hot a red wire and two loads. However, I want to install a WIFI smart that only has a line and two loads. Can I connect the hot to the line, the top load to load # 1 and the red with load # 2 to load # 2 on wifi circuit?

[@handydadtv]

It sounds like you know what you’re doing. 👍🏻

[@JimBobDewayne]

Thanks man.

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Thank you sir!!!!!

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@blakehudson6760]

Hi, I did this exactly as stated for a ceiling fan so the fam and light each had their own switch. No remote, just pull strings. And they both turn on but when I turn the fan switch on, it turns the light off. Any idea what’s happening here?

[@handydadtv]

Something’s wired wrong. Get a voltage tester and troubleshoot it.

[@jondeur2686]

Great video. It all made perfect sense. Two questions. What is that kind of switch called? I’ve seen double switches and also double switches 3-way. Also, the red wire is from a 14-3 Romex cable, correct? I want to wire a ceiling fan with one switch controlling the fan and the other controlling the light. Thanks for your help

[@handydadtv]

You don’t want a 3-way. Just a normal double switch. Yes, the red wire is from 3-conductor Romex which allows you to control the fan and light separately. The fan in this video is wired that way: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5qcZGt_lLV3e80 If you’re putting in a new fan and new switch box, I’d recommend a 2-gang box so you have the ability to install a fan control like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHiWeKl_fNmYd9U

[@jondeur2686]

@@handydadtv Thanks very much for your help. That takes care of all my installation and wiring questions.

[@Luisinho2]

Nice very helpfull

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@robertdallas8867]

Oakie Doakie and I really appreciate it. Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻

[@handydadtv]

Thanks

[@agentnader]

Great video. Thanks

[@handydadtv]

Glad it was helpful 👍🏻

[@ELHOJAS5.8]

Sir sir sir the same setup yu hav but the hot goin from the top down Startin at the light how do yu go about that

[@handydadtv]

Can’t do a double switch there.

[@nowmann2821]

Is there a special switch for this kind of job for DC power? I have solar panels that go into a grid tied inverter and when I don't want to send power into the house I have my solar panels connected to boost charge controller to charge my ebike. Right now I have to take the wires out every time, but I was hoping there's a switch I could change between the two, so one power source two different loads dc power. Hope that makes sense.

[@handydadtv]

Every mechanical AC switch will also work for DC. Rather than a double switch, I think a 3-way or 4-way switch will be more effective. Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5LNqpuNpbpsnNE to see how they’re wired.

[@cdawg9149]

Thank you

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure

[@earlfordo4502]

I think this will work for my situation?? I have two 3 way switches, one at top of stairs and one st the bottom but i only have 1 existing light fixture at top of stairs. I want to add a light fixture at bottom of stairs. Can someone tell how to do this? Running cable from the existing light at top of stsirs to new light at bottom of stairs isnt a possibility

[@handydadtv]

A double switch won’t help you. Watch this to see how 3-way circuits are wired: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5Dddadsnq9-mrM You’d need to open both switches and use a tester to figure out how yours is wired to see if you can do what you want.

[@earlfordo4502]

There is a red and black wire on left side of switch and black and ground on right side . The white wires are combined with others in the box that houses 2 other switches for fan and another light. I did buy a 3 way and single pole combination switch. You say the duplex switch won't help me?

[@handydadtv]

That’s the line side of the 3-way circuit. The cable with the red wire goes up to the switch at the top of the steps, then to the light. If you want to add a light on that 3-way circuit, you need to wire it from the top switch. You can add another switch to work a new light at the bottom, but it will be independent from the light at the top.

[@earlfordo4502]

Or can I run a 14/2 cable from the existing light at top of stairs down to new light at bottom of stairs but run the cable in one of those wall cord hiding channels? It would be very difficult to get a cable inside the walls since the new light is on an exterior wall with insulation and membrane

[@earlfordo4502]

Or how about remote wireless switches?

[@Tiality]

I did this but the top switch wouldn’t control anything and the bottom switch controlled the fan and light together

[@handydadtv]

Sounds like you put the wires on the wrong side of the switch.

[@Tiality]

I have 3 black wires. One was hot, another fans and light and one didn’t do anything to control the fan

[@ronaldkincaid9972]

Having the same probem anf after 4 hours i gave up and just sat down. Now i see this and will likely open my wall back up and try again 😪​@handydadtv

[@21_sandwich.]

I'm having the exact same issue

[@josephwunstell1008]

What is the red wire a ground or neutral or hot

[@handydadtv]

Ground is always bare copper or green. Neutrals are usually white. Hots are usually black or red. But electricity doesn’t care what color the wire is. And, depending on the age of your home, electricians didn’t always follow conventional standards. So you need to test everything. Don’t assume based on color.

[@joser.mendiola1602]

Awesome 👍 thanks 👍

[@handydadtv]

My pleasure!

[@jt1623]

@handydadtv Hey Chris...what if the power is coming from the fixture to the switch? I had a single switch that was powering two separate lights, one of the wires came loose in the box and no clue how it was wired. So right now I have a porch light that has a white (hot, labeled with black tape) and a black traveler wire, in addition to another white wire and black wire that run out to a pole light in the yard (no power to either of those wires. How do I wire a double switch under these circumstances?

[@handydadtv]

As you discovered, the white wire from the light isn’t a neutral, it’s part of the switch loop to the light. It sounds like you have no neutral in that box, so I’m not sure how the pole light ever worked.

[@Tiality]

I did this but the top switch wouldn’t control anything and the bottom switch controlled the fan and light together. I have 3 black wires in my old switch. 2 of them were pigtailed and twisted together to connect to the bottom brass screw. And the other was connected normally.

[@handydadtv]

I got your last comment and told you what I thought was wrong. If you can’t figure it out, please consult an electrician.

[@robertdallas8867]

I’ve got a 220 in my well house running my well pump and was needing to put a 110 heater in it and was wondering if there is anyway I can reduce the 220 to 110. Thanks

[@handydadtv]

Talk to an electrician. I think you’d need to do a subpanel.

[@reverendsonhouse]

I'm assuming this would be the same manner of wiring a double switch if I wanted to add a bathroom exhaust fan (without a light) as the other "device" to an existing single light switch box . . . or are there other things to consider if the second device is an exhaust fan?

[@handydadtv]

Exactly the same. You can control any two devices with this method. You would just need to sets of wires going to the devices.

[@reverendsonhouse]

Thanks! And thanks for all your informative videos!

[@T-R3kz]

I have a double switch and I want to replace the one gang box and add a two gang box to add receptacles. Can that be done? If so, do you have a video for that conversion? Thanks.

[@handydadtv]

How to add an Outlet from a Switch kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3uuYWCvpLOUjdE

[@meengreen52]

Theres a light in my attic with a switch. Ya think this would work for a gable vent fan? Enough amperage?

[@handydadtv]

Odds are, yes. But you need to know what other appliances might be on that circuit.

[@CampRusso]

Awesome video! I guess i'm SOL if my switch box does not have a neutral and I want to install a smart switch that requires it? =\

[@handydadtv]

Unfortunately most smart switches require a neutral. But not all of them. Such as Lutron Caseta.

[@CampRusso]

@@handydadtv👍 true. I have a lutron hub and two caseta switches. However I'm trying to replace them with z-wave plus switches to match all the Zoozs switches. 😁 Going to explore the possibility of running a neutral wire.

[@keytothegate68]

I only have a hot and a neutral going to my single switch that turns on/off both the light and the fan in my bathroom. Do I have enough wire to connect to separate switch?

[@handydadtv]

No, you’d need to run another wire. Also, a white wire connected to a switch is not a neutral.

[@tomcaviar7651]

What about the neutral wire? Just cap it off if the neutral doesn't go anywhere else?

[@handydadtv]

Why doesn’t it connect to anything?

[@mendezrey]

Hello There, Can you make a video on how to add a back to back from the same electric switch. one inside the house the the other outside in the balcony, thanks.

[@handydadtv]

The wiring basics are the same. I’m sure you can find an existing video about adding an outdoor outlet.

[@susettekish2502]

I need a response asap,, ok I have two existing light switches in bathroom that control individual purpose one is to turn on the light and the other is to turn on the moisture ceiling fan ?? Is I need to add one outlet to the existing switches that would always be on , can I do this and if yes ,, show me how

[@handydadtv]

Possibly. Watch this to see if you can add an outlet from a switch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3uuYWCvpLOUjdE If you can, then you can use a double switch to make room for the outlet. Be sure to use a GFCI outlet in a bathroom.

[@reidnix]

i have a switch for a light. i want to replace the switch with a 2 socket plug that is always loaded. i have a pull string switch on the light. i hooked the hot wire and the neutral wire to the right side screws and the ground to the left side screw, not the green screw. is this ok and safe? thanx

[@handydadtv]

Watch this video to understand how outlets are wired (white and black should be on OPPOSITE sides): kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIiVYaKfoq1qic0 You may need to change the wiring of the light so the outlet has constant power and a good neutral.

[@reidnix]

@@handydadtv i adjusted the socket and the light. i only get half power. the light blinks and the plugged in machine does not have enough juice.

[@handydadtv]

Please call an electrician.

[@jerrygalaviz2417]

Hello I was able to connect my top switch and bottom switch, however I could only have them on separate not together any advice

[@handydadtv]

My advice is to get a meter and figure it out. One of the wires is probably reversed.

[@johnpeel1664]

What does it mean when they both work but the one switch has to be on for the other to work? i can turn the top light on and off , with top switch but if bottom is off they are both are off ?

[@handydadtv]

Sounds like you reversed the two wires on the bottom switch. Make sure the hot wire goes on the side that feeds both switches.

[@ruckspring07]

Sir. I installed the switch as directed however only one button is working and still turns on both ceiling lights. I believe my problem surrounds the fact that there is a second switch on other side of the room. Based on this a need to change the switch out too. Your recommendation? Can I send you a photo of my old switch?

[@handydadtv]

If you replaced a single switch that had three wires (plus ground), that’s a 3-way circuit and the double switch won’t work there. Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5LNqpuNpbpsnNE

[@ruckspring07]

@@handydadtv Sir. Thanks for your response. Based on my scenario, is there anyway to get a double ceiling lights on double 3-way switches to converted so that ceiling lights can be turned on independent of each other? I am hoping there’s a solution.

[@handydadtv]

@ruckspring07 Not DIY. Call an electrician.

[@TheLukenater]

I had a switch like this in my basement go bad. I pulled out the old one and it only had 3 wires. All black. The old switch didnt look anything like the new ones in the back. I broke off the tab thinking i needed to, so now i only have one working light. Haha Ill have to get another one and try this.

[@handydadtv]

No need to waste the switch. Just do a jumper.

[@TheLukenater]

@handydadtv I'll see if I can get that to work. Thank!

[@ChrisLittleWebDeveloper]

Do you have a video that shows how to undo a double switch and replace with a regular switch and a timer switch, respectively?

[@handydadtv]

No, that’s a bit too specific. But it would be much more cost-effective to leave the switch alone and just install a smart bulb to go on and off at a scheduled time.

[@ChrisLittleWebDeveloper]

@@handydadtvWell, one switch controls the light and the other the bathroom fan. Any way to make the fan "Smart"?

[@handydadtv]

a.co/d/a93XjJ0?tag=ha0d9f-20

[@pablomorales7334]

Hello, Is it possible to connect if you don't have ground wires?

[@handydadtv]

Yes

[@williamhoudersheldt7076]

In my situation, the POWER is coming from the light fixture to the switch (one wire), the second wire is going from the switch to a receptacle. Previously the light was controlled by a pull string, I'm trying to install a new LED light and want to control it with the switch, but I also want the receptacle to have constant power. Can you help?

[@handydadtv]

Consider a smart bulb

[@SurfTheStreets01]

okay so I have a switch that is currently controlling a light. I would like to swap the outlet for a double switch to control the light and a bathroom fan. Would I be using this but using that second black screw that you didn't use? I find wiring drawings easier to understand than seeing the wires personally.

[@SurfTheStreets01]

also between what connections do I need a 12-2 cable vs a 12-3?

[@handydadtv]

This may help. I use a triple switch here, but it explains the 3-conductor wire going to the fan/heater. Same concept. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ2Qk2uciLaqebM

[@Algotticp3]

What type of wire is that with the red?

[@handydadtv]

3-conductor wire has white, black and red.

[@leonardovelasquez8844]

Where in the switch does the red cable go?

[@handydadtv]

A red wire is typically a secondary hot found in 3-conductor cables. You need to know where it goes and what it powers before you connect it to the switch. It will likely get connected to one of the brass screws. But you shouldn’t guess. You need to KNOW. If you can’t confidently figure it out, please call an electrician.

[@tristencarder3073]

After I followed this video the top switch works both lights but the bottom does one. What did I do wrong?

[@handydadtv]

Sounds like you put the wires on the wrong side.

[@RevKathyV]

My grandson replaced a double light switch for me. One works for the kitchen and one for the porch light. After he replaced it the bottom switch does nothing and the top switch is turning both on and off. How can we fix this?

[@handydadtv]

Sounds like he put the wires on the opposite sides.

[@RevKathyV]

@@handydadtv maybe just the top wire?

[@handydadtv]

@RevKathyV He needs to get a meter and figure it out. Don’t guess.

[@reddevilfannn]

What could cause my top switch to only work if the bottom is in the on position ?

[@handydadtv]

Just a guess that you might have reversed the wires on the bottom. Use a voltage tester to determine the hot line that brings power into the box. That’s the one that needs to be on the common side of the switches.

[@reddevilfannn]

​@handydadtv that fixed it. Thanks for the help!

[@handydadtv]

@reddevilfannn Awesome!

[@stixplayer]

OK I have a single switch operating basement lights (on and off) BUT It also sends the POWER to my kitchen light which is operated by two totally different switches!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The switch seems to have gone bad so my basement lights are not operating while the kitchen light works fine!!!!!!!!! The moment I started to disconnect the switch for replacement the kitchen lights went out!!

[@stixplayer]

P.S. it is old wiring!!!!!!!!! 1950's with a no ground switch.

[@handydadtv]

Well, you can rewire it all so you’ll understand how it works and all your outlets would be grounded. Or you can proliferate the madness by just replacing the bad switch.

[@nathanbennett9025]

Dam I only have white black and ground no red

[@handydadtv]

The red one is only there if you have 3-conductor wire.

[@hendrxx_]

@@handydadtvcan you make a diagram of this without a red? My exhaust fan/light in my bathroom has been messed up for years and I want to fix it. I opened it up and there’s no red wire

[@handydadtv]

@luwop_ The red wire just allows two circuits on one cable. If you don’t have a red wire, you may not have two circuits. Or you may have two separate cables. But it’s impossible for me to tell. If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting it on your own, please call an electrician.

[@dfb6109]

You should be using the correct electricians insulated screwdriver 🪛 😉 not a flathead.

[@handydadtv]

I’ll ask Santa