Can You Replace a Light Switch Without a Neutral Wire

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Great help on a 3-Way wiring diagram from your website. Much appreciated, as I have had the same 3 Way switch, non-operational, for over 5 years.. arghhh...I know it is a simple thing yet looking at both sets of wires and trying to imagine the wire runs was a bit aggravating but you made it simpler!

Kudos
Brian, Winnipeg
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Awesome. Thanx Terry. Cool site and extremely informative.

Johnny
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Thank you for the info on the three way switch you saved the day.

EDDIE B. in MIssissippi
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Thank-you for your free video, it helped.

Bob
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What a great explanation!! You have been so helpful. Thanks so much. I will hunt down that timer and give it a go.

Ken
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Your website is great. I have it bookmarked and now visit frequently. I have no previous electrical experience and your website helped me redo some wiring correctly and way easier than I thought it would be.

Thanks again.

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Hi Terry,

I stumbled onto your website while doing a Google search for an electrical panel that's being installed in my new home that's currently being built.

Even though I've been doing my own electrical work for many years (I am not a contractor), I found your site to be a valuable resource of information for all things electrical. Your site is much appreciated. Thank you.

Regards,

Mike A

Toronto, Canada

Do-It-Yourself Repairs & Basic Wiring Projects:
Can You Replace a Light Switch without a Neutral Wire?

By Terry Peterman, the Internet Electrician

Summary: This site visitor was replacing a light switch in his bathroom, which would normally be a simple home wiring task. However, sometimes existing wiring can turn a simple project into a far more complex one.

Q: Hello. I am replacing the light switch in the bathroom with one that has a single receptacle below it.

I was pretty confident about the job until I pulled the old switch out.

To my dismay, there is only two black wires coming into the box. The old switch has no labeling either.

I can get the new switch/receptacle to work for the light but not the receptacle.

Can you tell me what I am doing wrong? Thanks.

A: The problem here is that you have no neutral in this box.

The switch is just a 'switch leg drop', so the power for the light comes in to the light box, and then there is a 2-wire drop down to the switch to turn the light on and off.

In this situation, there is no need to send the neutral down to the switch as well.

Without some additional wiring, you will not be able to accomplish this task.

Terry Peterman, 'The Internet Electrician'

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Do-It-Yourself Repairs & Basic Wiring Projects: Can You Replace a Light Switch without a Neutral Wire?

Do-It-Yourself Repairs & Basic Wiring Projects:
Can You Replace a Light Switch without a Neutral Wire?