HOW TO |
Skill
Level
One hammer: Novice
Five hammers: Experienced |
  |
Install
A Wireless 3-Way Switch
By
Julius Smith
Most
of us live in older homes that have various degrees of inadequate
wiring. This is not to say that your current electrical system
is unsafe or dangerous, but merely that it is not as convenient
as you would like. There’s not a switch at the top or bottom
of the stairs. You have a room with only a pull chain fixture
for a light source. You’d like to turn on a table or floor
lamp instead of the overhead light. Running wires to new switches,
lights, or receptacles can solve all of these problems but,
for several reasons, you don’t want to tackle the project
yourself or hire a licensed contractor to do the job. There
are quick, easy, and affordable remedies to all of the above
situations to be found at all your A-BOY stores. The cost is
under $30 with three different products to choose from. Just
follow the pictorial to add a new switch where ever you want.
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Step
1
Warning: turn off the breaker to the line you’re going
to be working with. If you don’t know which switch
kills the electricity you need to turn off, turn on the
light and test untill you find the one that needs to be
off. Test to make sure the light is off, if you have a voltage
tester use it to test the line. |
Step
2
Remove the cover plate and save it with the screws to reuse
later. |
Step
3
Unscrew the connecting nuts (counter clockwise) and note
which color wire went to what terminal. If you have a ground
wire (the green one) you’ll need to attach it to the
metal part of the new switch or the metal box. |
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| Tools
& Materials |
Screwdriver and a drill to install
the new wireless switch. |
| Where
to Purchase |
A Boy Electric &
Plumbing
(503) 225-9009
(800) 691-7895 for nearest location |
| Permits
& Codes? |
Log onto:
www.opdr.ci.portland.or.us |
| Average
Cost |
Will vary on where you buy the product |
|
Step
4
Connect the two wires (A&B) to the two wires on the
new switch.
Both A&B are power lines. Inside the box should be two
or more white wires (C) connected, leave them as is. Install
the new switch in the box and replace the cover plate. In
some older houses the switch box might be too small to house
the new switch. If you run into this problem the knowledgeable
staff at A-Boy will assist you in what to do. |
Step
5
Locate where you want the new switch to be. Disassemble
the new non-wired switch box and mount it to the wall according
to the directions provided. |
|
 |
 |
 |
This
is the product that replaces your old switch.
Cost $24.99 |
This
product will add a switch to a wall plug. Cost $24.99 |
This
product will add a switch to a light. Cost $25.99 |
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