Gardner Bender #GSW-SK Door Switch Logo

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Posted on Feb 08, 2009
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Circuit breaker trips

Just installed a Gardner Bender SPST Switch Kit (GSW-SK) for my coat closet so the light comes on when the door is opened. Went to reset the breaker but it won't. Clearly something is wrong. I have two cables entering the metal switch box, one from the source, the other to the light. The GB switch itself has only two wires, which I connected one to the other two whites, the other to the other two blacks. I connected the two ground wires to the back of the metal box with the screw provided. Does anyone see anything wrong with this hook up? I was surprised the switch didn't come with a ground wire... Thanks.

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  • Posted on Feb 08, 2009
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Joined: Jan 28, 2009
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Leave the original whites connected together, connect the new switch in series with the two black wires (one black to the top of the switch, the other to the bottom),

p.s. the switch is grounded through the mounting strap

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Related Questions:

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1answer

Gardner Bender #GSW-SK Door Switch

if u had skype i would try to walk u thru it if possible
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Where in the jamb is this installed?... on same side as the hinges?

Hello rob. I prefer to install this on the same side as the hinges. Joe

Thanks for choosing Fixya!
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I am installing a new closet with double doors. Can I put a GS-SK SPST Switch Kit in both the left and right jambs, or must I use only one kit in one jamb? Thanks.

You can use a switch in both jams, just wire them in parallel. For example, if your light outlet box contains the supply (hot) cable, you would run a cable from _each_ door switch to that same box. The hot would then be connected to the line side of both switches (pick a wire from each switch), and the load side (the remaining 2 wires) of both switches would be connected to the light. That way either switch will operate the light, and the light will shut off as long as both doors are closed.
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1answer

How do I know which wire coming from the GSW-SK switch is the hot or black and which is the white or neutral?

It doesn't matter. The switch is just a normally "on" switch so it just breaks and activates the power to the light.
I generally, just for my personal way, I look for a thin stripe on the wiring, ro a small bead along the casing and us that as a reference, but in that switch, it makes on difference. I used the thin line as "negative" for myself but just for reference.
0helpful
1answer

My SPST switch kit came apart during installation. Do you have a diagram that can show me how to properly put it back together?

If it came apart your best bet would be to purchase a new one. These switches take a lot of pressure on them as the door is constantly being opened and closed. If you did get it back together I do not think it would last long.
2helpful
1answer

I'm trying to connect a GSW-SK door switch to an led rope light. The circuit breaker trips every time I plug the power cord into the outlet. Any ideas?

The circuit breaker trips because you have some sort of short circuit. Use a Meter set to OHMS, and try to find the "Short". Check the wiring in the Plug also.
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I have an old two way switch,do i connect the red to the ground or to the black?

supposed to be 4 wires black,red,white and green with yellow stripes for the ground. black,red and white for the two way switching..
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2 way light switch tripping breaker

connected wrongly on one switch or neurtal wire is present at one box is shortening,thus tripping
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Can you describe how to wire this switch between an electrical outlet and an overhead fluorescent light? I have recessed the electrical switch box in the door jamb. There are two black wires on the rear of...

The 'comm' on that switch is very misleading. Generally that would refer to the white (or neutral wires), however in this case it doesn't. All a switch does is interrupt power. One black wire is power into the switch, and the other black wire is power out of the switch. So, all you have to do is leave the whites connected to each other, and connect one black wire to one black lead on the switch, and connect the other black wire to the other lead on the switch. Everything should work perfectly after this.
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Wiring Door jamb switch

I'm going to guide you on how to create what is known as a "switch leg".
1- run a 12-2 w/ground wire to the light fixture from new switch.
2- connect black wire "hot wire" to the shiny bronze tinted terminal on switch.
3- connect the white wire " neutral " to the silver connection on switch.
4- connect the naked copper wire " ground " to the ground terminal on switch
5- Disconnect the two white wires in the junction box from each other.
6- Connect the ground to ground in j-box
7- Connect the black to one of the whites in j-box
8- connect the white to the other white in j-box
9- wire nut and tape all connections
Oh and be sure that you turn off the breaker before you start. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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