How To Wire A Single Pole Light Switch Circuits 3 Different Ways (2022) DIY Tutorial For Beginners!

[@surferdude642]

This has to be one of the best video's, excellent instructions and very clearly presented. I love your instructional mock up, nicely constructed. When you run power to light first, this is a switch loop because the power comes to the light, then to the switch and back to the light. Perfectly fine to do. The third method is the best way to do a switch loop because it leaves a neutral wire in the switch box and is a code requirement. Can you show 3 way and 4 way switch wiring? A split receptacle where one is controlled by a switch and the other is live all the time would also be useful.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment and appreciating the video! It took a long time to compose and edit 😅. I’m so glad you found it useful and thank you for mentioning and explaining the switch loop power travel points! 🙏🏽 I will definitely be making a video on a 3 way, Please stay tuned! Thank you for the love and support! 🙏🏽😊👍🏽

[@FixThisHouse]

Also I will create a video on a split receptacle 👍🏽😊🙏🏽

[@erichsh58]

I don't understand the purpose of the neutral wire in that third example since it's not connected to anything at one end.

[@surferdude642]

@@erichsh58 That's a good question. It does not function at this time, however it has been a requirement by the NEC since 2011 because it's usually necessary for a possible future upgrade to a Wi-Fi switch dimmer. Another incidental advantage is that if you want to add a new receptacle nearby, you can tap into this switch for power.

[@lil_ugly_buddy1225]

You the best bro....

[@kevinneal905]

This is the best video describing these procedures that I have seen. Im glad you didn't have music playing, just straight to the point. Very well done.

[@nicarob4257]

I’ve watched several tutorials today, and this is by far the best explained. With your recaps, and keeping it simple, sets you apart !

[@pieku]

This was fantastic. I was trying to run an attic light off of an existing switch/light/source and it was giving me fits. Once I was able to identify the source, I was able to connect it to the attic, pigtail it off, and use the pigtailed source along with your instructions. Worked flawlessly. Thank you!

[@johngtz72]

Dude, this explains everything. Added an exhaust fan to my mom's restroom. Breaker kept tripping. Now I know. It's wired end of run. I thought I had seen a white wire connected to the black wire when I removed the old ceiling heater. Thanks a bunch. Now to crawl back into that hot Texas summer attic.

[@silvioazzolini4713]

Watched many videos. This is by far the very best. You made no assumptions that we have any knowledge of electrical wiring and did a superb job explaining. I am a teacher myself and my methodology has always been “assume there is zero knowledge from the audience and lead them through knowledge every step of the way”. This is a great review for those who already know something and excellent teaching for those who know nothing. Everyone wins. Great job!

[@neanderthalradiopodcast]

Your explanation of the “end of run single pole” helped me a lot. I had one wired like this and couldn’t figure out why there was a white and black on the switch and only one wire in the outlet box. This helped tremendously!

[@marksheaT8]

I literally had the same problem for 5+ years and just learned that 3rd option. I know enough to do minor stuff myself, so I refused to pay an electrician. You explained it better than I could. Thank you too

[@pyrophilly]

I was looking for info on how to wire in a Buster & Punch light switch in my renovated toilet. This video taught me everything the instruction manual of the switch didn't. It taught me the difference (and existence of) middle-of-run and end-of-run type wiring. I pulled the extra ground wire I learned I needed, I learned about the amazing wago clips (love em!) and I successfully installed the toilet light in one go even with a slight feel of confidence! Many, many thanks for your crystal clear & thorough instructions. Subscribed!

[@DanaOredson]

This helped a lot! I appreciated understanding the 3 methods of wiring a switch. This helped me understanding the wiring of some existing circuits in my home.

[@simondymond8479]

This was super useful. I had one to change and thought I knew what to do but was nervous about attempting it until I checked that what I thought was correct was the right way to do it. Would never have attempted it if I had not watched this first and all went well. Many thanks.

[@CarlosRodriguez-xs7ot]

Excellent instruction. Appreciate the methodical review. Two comments: 1. I would mention the advantage of doing the third method using the 14/3 future proofs the switch box by providing the neutral which is needed for many smart switches. 2. I would also mention that you can wire the 1-way switch reversed (ground stays the same) and it will work just fine. If you come across the reversed wiring in a renovation, it’s not wrong. The Line Hot wire (power from the source) and Load wire (feeding power to the fixture) can go on either brass screw on a 1-way switch. That was a source of confusion for me when I ran into this.

[@yuchuanwei]

good comments, since this is the question in my mind. However, about point 2, I can not agree with you. 1. when the switch is off, the switch should keep the power out of the switch as much as possible. 2. in your case, if the next electrician wanna replace the switch, he needs more work to confirm which is which. so its better to wire it correctly and uniformly at the beginning.

[@theguslang]

@@yuchuanwei I also found the video to be top notch. I do have a related question to the above - in method #1 the hot wire was connected to the top screw. In methods #2 and #3 the hot wire was connected to the bottom screw. Is that because it's an end run configuration?

[@anxiousappliance]

Incredibly helpful in analyzing some wiring I just ran into for a ceiling fan circuit done by people who didn't believe in taping neutral wires.... Thank you!!!

[@spooderman64]

Im building a room and had some outlets added and wanted a light switch installed. Electrician ran the lines but due to lack of studs he didnt install the switch. 1 week later he ghosted me. Idiot never connected the line. This video saved me a few hundred. Thank you!

[@ivanwill]

As always, making it look so easy. Thanks for sharing. I do wish Builders would ask their Painters to NOT paint over the wiring near outlets, during a new build. That in itself causes problems for the home owner, trying to determine if a cable is truly white or black. Yes, a tester helps. But...

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! Yes I find over spray a lot inside j box and texture as well. Just very frustrating trying to clean inside the box and like what you said trying to determine the cables. 😣 thank you for watching my friend!

[@mikerobertson7311]

I really really enjoyed your video. In my younger days I could wire a switch no problem. Now that I’m up in age I had forgotten how to wire a switch 😊. I watched other videos which were not as detailed as you video, plus you take time to explain each step and spoke slowly enough that my old ears could hear and understand exactly what to do. I am subscribing to your channel and ringing the bell. Thank you so much. Excellent video.

[@1jimbostashman372]

I have watched a number of videos on single pole and 3 way connections and this is by far the best video I have seen with great explanations. Thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the feedback! 🙏🏽😊

[@joanrock398]

Honestly I have been watching few videos about this. But the guys doesn’t really show and explain. The process. Like you do. . This way explaining and showing the way you do I like it. And I’m going to subscribe. Great video.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! Your support means a lot! 🙏🏽😊

[@snoopyredbaron8761]

After seeing so many vdos on connecting a light switch yours bro was the most simple, easy to understand & very well illustrated.. Thanlks for sharing

[@tonystephens7220]

Just want to thank you for how easy this video made it to understand and hence confirm my thinking.

[@gullivergimeno1520]

Awesome!!! This is the best tutorial video on KZbin. Thank you for making this video. ❤

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@geoffreymones1329]

By far the BEST video I have seen!!! Very thorough and detailed. This is definitely great for DIY dummies like me. Again, OUTSTANDING video!!!

[@khalidkhan-jp4hb]

Dude you are Saving a lots of money. I am learning to much from your videos. I hope you keep doing this helping people like me don't know anything about electrician job. Thank you so much. God bless you.

[@jrm5227]

Thanks for the video. It help me solve my problem. I tried to watch other videos but yours is the one that solved it. Thanks again

[@goldykamboj4421]

Brilliant, I just done with the second method. One of the best video. Thanks

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@TheFilthy13]

You sir did a great video and great explanation of how to do these 3 ways to wire a light to a single pole switch. Your arrows showing the power and the wires you used left no doubt how to do this wiring. Also great job on explaining the types of electrical boxes used for different types of applications on the job. Please keep doing these types of videos the same way you did it here. A big THANK YOU !!!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the love and support! Means a lot! Thank you for the feedback and I will definitely keep making these videos for you 🙏🏽😊👍🏽

[@bruceli1209]

very good video for beginner like me, cristal clear and excellent explanation, very good zoom in close up to see all the wire one of the best video with excellent detail and set up, thank you so very much for your excellent work! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank so much! I’m glad I was able help! You just made my day! Many many thanks! 🙏🏽😊🥰

[@DarvinTeul]

Excellent video sir..very clear procedure and easy to understand.....thanks....Belize

[@justinrbland]

Very helpful! Thank you! I am slow, so I appreciate your clarity.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the feedback! 🙏🏽😊

[@tomrussell1914]

Great videos. Please do a similar video showing a single pole switch with multiple light fixtures.

[@pmaddox]

OH man! this young man just taught this old guy or let me say refreshed my memory on doing electrical work, as I don't do much of it anymore and really never did except a few outlets and lights and such...but he makes it so you truly understand what' he's doing...thank you so much for this video...I did hit the subscribe button too...Peace to you and yours

[@RussGreen-h6c]

Thank you for making this as easy as possible, please keep sharing your knowledge, I was able to do this myself, you made made it seem so simple thanks again!!

[@arth.4196]

Thank you very much. I like the plastic connectors, instead of the twist caps.

[@Chris.Rhodes]

Wago 221

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! Yes love those WAGO’s their super easy to use! You don’t have to worry about the wires if they are secured together. 👍🏽😊

[@cameronwong7608]

Great video. Easy to follow and super clear. Thank you!

[@mplscarsales6652]

Perfectly described and explained I think after watching a few more times I’ll understand it completely I’m catching on .

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! Yes it does get a little bit confusing at first, but after a few times analyzing it becomes quite clear 🙏🏽😊, thank you so much for watching!

[@HectorMiguelHernandez]

🥵🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 I had to watch it 5 times to understand it. Thanks for your videos 👍🏼👍🏼

[@richardcatalinajr.369]

Excellent, thorough and clear tutorial. Great job. Thank you.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much Richard for the feedback! 🙏🏽😊

[@paymankazerouni3348]

Thank you so much for your videos. This makes me so much more comfortable working with wiring.

[@juancarrera241]

A just want to say..Awesome video ...very easy to follow.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@johndavies2949]

Well it was a pretty good video. Like mentioned before when connecting to the terminals on the switch it doesn't matter which one is on which screw. But if you're a real professional you know that on any electrical disconnect the line(power in ) goes on the top of the disconnect and the load(light bulb) , in goes on the bottom. So in a way, a light switch can be considered a disconnect so just to stay consistent put your power in on top and power out on bottom. Rather than calling the wires power in and power out the real electricians refer to power in as the hot wire because that's the one that will shock you if you have to work on an energized circuit, and the one on the bottom that goes from the switch to the light is referred to as the "switch leg" because it is the one that is switched on and off. Now when power comes in at the light, if you are just using 2 wire Romex, you are correct to mark the white wire black with a wrap of tape, but most guys use the black magic marker and color it completely or make a stripe or two. Now it doesn't matter if you send power (hot) down to the switch on either the marked wire or the black wire. Well be consistent. At the light where the power source comes in connect that black wire to the black wire going down to the switch. The white wire with the black tape is now the switch leg. It will connect to the black wire coming off the fixture. So at the light fixture the white wire with the black marking is bringing power to the light and the other white wire in the box is connected to the white wire from the source which is the neutral wire. By doing it this way you know that the black wire at the switch is always hot and the marked white wire is the switch leg going to the light bulb. So we mark the white wire for 2 reasons. One is to identify it as a current carrying conductor and the other and most important is to identify it as a switch leg. So now you don't have to guess which wire is hot and which wire is switched. You won't have to use a volt meter or ticker or continuity tester. You know the black will be the hot and connects to the top screw on the switch.

[@U2BER2012]

Whoa! That's a lot of info: can you simplify it a little? Thanks!

[@asiasimko4357]

Best of the best video explanation, keep it up, and Thank You

[@dondig2617]

Your such a great teacher.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽

[@christiancito1528]

Great video! Option 3 really help to understand my connection.

[@FixThisHouse]

Glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@josephugbodu8638]

You’re indeed a very good teacher. Thanks a lot

[@tjkool]

Your video is the best I have ever seen for clear instructions. You are a really good instructor. I have a question though. In the 2nd example, would it matter if you switched the wires at the switch? I am putting in a new switch and they have the white wire on top and black wire on the bottom but the switch is working. I am assuming they wired it like you explained in the 2nd example up at the light. There is only one set of wires coming into the switch. None going out.

[@dafarfan1]

Nice job. I'm someone who recently became interested in learning electricity. Have you thought about doing a video in which you teach basic stuff such as: what/how the line, neutral, and return lines are used?

[@stevendshannon]

Great video! Very detailed and clear descriptions. Thanks very much. I do have a question. Can you explain the logic of attaching the power source hot wire to the top switch lug on the "middle-of-run" example verses attaching the source hot wire to the bottom switch lug on the "end-of-run" example?

[@carlostamayo5699]

Hands down my man!! Totally make it easy, this is a real example of DIY !

[@salmanfarooq1354]

Kudos!!!!! Excellent video for all DIY'ers. This is the best video I have seen on installing switches. They way you explained and demonstrated things are awesome. Superb skills.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad I was able to present it clearly and for you to understand 🙏🏽😊

[@SteveScarlata]

Question...I'm planning to use the method #2. Can I also run another line from the power source for additional receptacle??

[@user-uf4yo9gz3e]

I have this same circuit for my interior garage lights. I would like to add a motion detector switch to the circuit. What would the wiring look like for that?

[@simonmortiz7428]

THIS VIDEO IS A WINNER FOR ME AND A DIY

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@victormendoza6306]

Excellent video and clear to understand so just practice to make it like the easy way you do 👍

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽 so much for the feedback 😊

[@veritedusalut2415]

I love your work. Keep teaching us it's very useful.

[@fratricidefrank]

This is great for beginners like me. Thanks again for putting this together!

[@snakeye2669]

Thx for this very useful video how-to, I would be lost in the re-connection when I removed a old fan fixture.

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@keithringley8496]

Thank you for this video. It was explained very well and helped me figure out my issue.

[@rudyarias6313]

Clear & simple instructions. Thank you 👍🏻

[@MrJwyne]

Very thorough! Great explanation!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@caroll4460]

Best electrical tutorial video!

[@U2BER2012]

Excellent tutorial! What is the electrical code regulation for using 14/2 wired to the switch vs using 14/3?

[@waterym1449]

Hands down, you’re awesome!!!

[@davidmitchell1097]

This is a very helpful video! Thank you for sharing this. I have a question that I hope you can send me in the right direction or maybe it is a topic you have covered before. I want to wire an end of run switch for multiple light troffers. I am thinking the second sample in this video only turn the last light in the daisy chain on and off. Have you covered that scenario or can you point me in the right direction? I'm having trouble finding a diagram for that kind of layout. Thanks again!

[@terrminatoragain461]

Great explanation, answered exactly what Ive been looking for 👍

[@mikezimmerman2786]

Great video I’m wiring my new house.

[@TheJeolaya]

Dammm i almost burn the house down playing Mr. Wanna be electrician. Kill the braker and lost an entire day messing with getting a light switch to turn a simple light. This man needs a Nobel prize award. Awesome job, electric 101 for the dummy in me. Thanks mahal

[@jerrymay3806]

You explain things well. I enjoy yourteaching. Thank you!

[@lastdaystrumpet5608]

Really helpful! Thanks so much! 🙏

[@cblair7009]

Ground, neutral, hot. It's a good habit to always hook up your devices in that order. Reverse when removing a device (hot, neutral, ground). Treat every circuit like it's live when working on it.

[@JoeNoto-f5n]

Great videos and very helpful. I’m trying to add a second switch in a box that already has a END OF RUN single pole switch. Do you have a video that shows how to get power to the new switch? I’m trying to add another light that is controlled by the new switch. But there is only one wire in the box right now that controls another light.

[@raymond3722]

Great illustrations and I appreciate your efforts and patiencey.

[@xagis36]

Very Well Done! Impressive actually.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@wyattoneable]

Exactly what I needed, thank you.

[@flootsy]

Wow! What an awesome video. I'm so glad I watched it. The persons(s) ( can't call them electricians) who wired my house did a terrible job, I should have taken pictures.

[@jimmilby5203]

In method 2 the white wire is not a neutral. It is a hot. The function should be described, not confused with the color. It is also not code compliant anymore and should not be shown. The cable hanging out of the bottom of the switch should have also be secured to the stud.

[@stevenle1760]

First thing I noticed too, wonder if he's in a local jurisdiction that doesn't uses the lastest NEC. Regardless, it is best practice to now put neutral in switches boxes to allow for modern smart switches that require neutrals.

[@pltmann]

Hello, I have and end of run in my barn which is the second method you showed. My white is hot. I have a single pole switch outlet combo. I tried to rewire it a few years ago so the outlet was always hot instead of switched. I couldn't figure it out and then found your video. I have the light switch working, but can't get the outlet to work. I have the white(hot) jumpered to the switch and outlet. The only thing I have hooked to the outlet is hot and ground. No power. What am I missing? I think I figured it out. If I want the outlet to be hot all the time I need to wire it the third way, picking up the neutral for the outlet? I am missing a neutral to the outlet. Is this why it's not working? Could you do a video on how to wire end of run light switch, outlet combo with outlet hot all the time. I can't find any videos showing this setup.

[@pltmann]

@@clover3930 I figured it out. It was set up as the ground wire as the neutral.

[@elbassaraghii5744]

Great 👍🏽 thanks 🙏

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for watching! 👍🏽🙏🏽😊

[@roberttheriault5166]

Super good video,

[@colorocko1]

You're awesome! Thank you!

[@ChAmAkItO1987]

Thank you for this video it was what I needed to learn

[@stanleyvo5198]

Hopefully…thank you ❤😊

[@jvelasquez388]

Thanks man very good information Thanks again

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for watching! 😊🙏🏽

[@ajae4616]

Bruh? Is this your new channel? I’m like “I know this dude,the Evo guy!” Lol great stuff, glad I found this video. 🤙🏼

[@FixThisHouse]

Yes brotha! Haha! Thank you so much bro! Thank you for watching! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊

[@JR-ve3ul]

This video is probably the best I have seen at explaining this well done! I have a question. If I am wiring like the second option but I have multiple lights between the first light and the switch would the only light that needed a three way be the last light before the switch? Thanks for your help.

[@arthurmiller8336]

Please make a video about that white wire becoming hot why it is hot

[@FixThisHouse]

Will do! Please stay tuned!

[@curtistucker394]

Very good video!

[@CMooreStarts]

Very detailed. Thanks for the video G.

[@FixThisHouse]

Anytime man! Thanks for watching! 👊🏽😊

[@LisaLubin]

This is great. Easy, clean explanation. I have a question for you that I hope you can address! What about when daisy-chaining 6 recessed LED lights together, but also working with and end-of-run switch? Do I just do this at one end (where power goes to FIRST light?) or do I need to connect every light differently to each other? Thank you!

[@touie98052]

thank you very much. very helpful and easy to understand. first time watcher and subscribed. method #1 single pole light switch with two black wires. my question is: on the black wires, one of the black wires is coiled around the other black wire which is straight. what is the significance of the coiled black wire? does one signify it has the load?

[@johndavies2949]

The wire that is coiled around the other is your hot. The straight one is you switch leg. The electrician knows what's going on . What I do and what I tell my guys is you mark the switch leg always. Well how do you mark a black wire. We strip the switch leg back an inch exposing the copper. Now we know without having to carry tape or trace the wire. This is done during the rough in phase. So let's say you had 3 romexes in a I gang box. You know it's for a switch. All the wires come in at the top of the box. So you have power in, power out, and switch leg out to light. Which of the 3 black conductors is the one going to the light,? The one that has been stripped . Now you know how to make up the wires before or after the sheet rock has been installed because you identified your switch leg. So on make up the two blacks not stripped go together with a 6" piece of scrap to feed power into the switch, the black left over that was stripped back an inch goes to the light bulb, and the 3 whites go together upon making up the box. Most inspectors like to see all the boxes made up ready for devices upon the rough in inspection. They pay particular attention to see that at least all neutral connections in switch boxes are made up. It depends on your inspector.

[@touie98052]

@@johndavies2949 Thank you for your detailed explanation. Now I understand the significance of coiled wire. The coiled wire is the hot.

[@carlosnava3126]

Excellent video. Good detailed and clear instructions. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@egh78]

Awesome video.

[@jeanninec.pires-reese3015]

Thank you for this...I finally get it now! You Rock! :)

[@rogerhodges7656]

Good tutorial. ALWAYS do the ground wires first. They are always the same. Do them and get them out of the way.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you Roger for the advice! 🙏🏽😊

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Great job. Very clear.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@johnnytruong2809]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for watching! 🙏🏽😊

[@anthonycarrabino1301]

great explanation, thank you.

[@imarkbilling5317]

This is a great video! Thank you. Do you have a video on how to add a switch for a light fixture that doesnt have a switch..I have to go to the breaker to turn it off and on for lights to work..do you have a video for this? Thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! I can make a video on this soon! Please stay tuned! 👍🏽😊

[@toddbrosen8563]

Super awesome video. You made it easy for someone with a 6 year old brain.😂

[@RodolfoCabello]

Great stuff

[@claudemathieu9581]

👍 very helpfull

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you Claude! 🙏🏽😊

[@ronyshemon2961]

Thank you so much for your help good job 👍

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽 for watching and taking your time to comment 😊🙏🏽