Switches and sockets are electrical devices that must be in every home. The switch will control turning on and off the lights in each room. On the other hand, the socket is a terminal for powering additional electronic devices, such as blenders, coffee makers, irons, televisions, cell phone chargers, and several other additional electronic devices. And if both switches and sockets experience any form of damage, we need to replace them immediately.
To update both, you can do it yourself. But for this, you have to do it with care, as errors in the installation process can cause you to be electrocuted. Before you decide to replace, make sure that the fault is in the switch or socket, too. The way to test the switch is to replace the lamp. If it still doesn’t turn on, it means that the switch is damaged. To test the socket, you can do this by using an electrical test such as an AVO meter or an electric current pen test. Or, you can use other electrical equipment.
If you have confirmed the damage to the switch or socket, go to an electrical shop and choose a quality product and an affordable product. Meanwhile, doing the installation is quite easy and you can do it yourself. In our article this time, we will provide tips and tutorials on how to update switches & sockets at home with easy and safe steps.
Necessary equipment:
- Screwdriver.
- Cable cutter.
- Cable isolator stripper.
Tips for Installing Switches & Outlets
The first thing you should notice is that, in general, there are two types of terminals used to connect wires to a single switch or socket.
But for the double switch, you will see there are 3 cables – 1 cable is the cable from the power line while the other 2 cables are control cables to turn on the lights. So, next to the switch with 3 panels, you will see there are 4 wires – where 1 cable is the source flow of electricity while the other 3 wires are controls for turning on the lights.
Before you replace the switch and socket, you should pay attention to the following tips:
Turn off the power source before starting work
The first and main tip that must be done before starting to renew the switch or socket is to turn off the power source first by turning off the main switch. It is very important to avoid accidental electric shock and short circuits during the removal or installation process.
Use good quality equipment
The second tip on how to install switches & sockets is to use proper tools and good safety devices. Good tools will make it easier for us to work. Also, use good security tools, such as:
- Rubber footwear
- Rubber gloves
Both of these will provide additional safety from the potential for electric shock. After all the equipment is available and you have purchased the switch or socket, here are the steps to update:
- Unscrew the switch or socket using the screwdriver.
- Pull out the switch or socket gently so the wires don’t come loose from the terminals so you can see the path. This way is especially useful for dual switches.
- See how the cable is attached to the switch or receptacle, whether using screws or clips, then unplug all cables that are attached.
- See the cable that you have removed. Clean the cable, or you can cut it and peel it again to make sure later the switch can work properly.
- Check and clean the hole where the switch or socket is. This is intended to minimize subsequent damage caused by dust so that it can cause a short circuit.
- Install the switch or socket that you want to replace. Make sure the wiring is the same as before. For single switches, make sure the cable from the power source is plugged into the inlet. This is to ensure the on/off position is correct. When installing the sockets, you’ll notice that there are 2 cables. Make sure you attach 1 cable to 1 terminal.
- Make sure the cable is tight by checking it––pull it and don’t release it (don’t pull it too hard because it can cause damage to the terminal).
- After you have finished installing the cables and everything is securely attached, put the switch or socket on the wall again. Install the bolts tightly so they don’t have the potential to come off and there’s a danger of electrocution.
Conclusion
Before updating switches and sockets, you must disconnect the electricity in your home by turning it off from the mainline. Use quality equipment and affordable products and follow the steps according to our instructions above.
