How to safely remove and replace a household light switch
Turn off power.
Unscrew cover plate.
Unscrew both screws holding switch into wall box.
Pull switch outward to stretch wires.
Take photos so you can reconstruct wiring if necessary.
Note color of each screw.
Green is for ground wire.
There are many different kinds of switches.
Single pole switch has two wires plus ground, and both screws will be same brass color, plus green ground screw.
3-way switch has 3 wires plus ground, and one screw will be different color than other two screws, plus green ground screw.
Remove wires from switch.
If wires are attached into holes on back of switch, notice there is small slot next to each hole.
Insert small screwdriver or metal nail file into slot while pulling on wire. This takes 3 hands, and then wire will come out of hole.
Replace each wire onto new switch, matching the old switch, tighten screws very tight, and then put switch back into box.
When pushing wires back into box, you want to keep the wires folded behind the switch as much as possible.
Wires are not harmed when scrunched back into box.
Put switch cover over switch so no possible spark can exit box.
Turn power ON, and try the switch.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-switches.html
If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7
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