Are you looking for a way that How to Change a Light Switch Without Turning Off the Power? And Can you replace a light switch with the power on? It might be difficult for you if you are changing it for the first time and have yet to gain experience. But after reading this article thoroughly, you will be a master. Don’t worry!
It is recommended that you call the electrician if you want to replace a light switch. But often people don’t want to call the electrician, for only this purpose, especially when you are at home.
Most of the people can replace a light switch on their own, and you can also, but it is our responsibility to give you the best practice that is recommended on high priority.
Materials that are required to replace a light switch with power on:
By saving your time, we can come to the point that how to change a light switch without turning off the power and which type of equipment you use when you are reading the answer of query that can you replace a light switch with the power on, and here are the 12 steps that you can take in order to replace a light switch with the power on.
In the end, we can also discuss some of the most important and repeated questions that often come to people’s minds and they often ask after reading this article (how to change a light switch without turning off the power).
Here are some equipment that you must use before replacing a light switch with power on:
1: Voltage Tester
2: Insulated Tools
3: Rubber Gloves and Mat
4: Long Sleeve Clothing
5: Rubber Soled Shoes
6: Insulated Wire Caps
7: Screwdrivers and Pliers
8: Face Shield or Respirator (If Necessary)
All steps that you must follow to replace a light switch with the power on:
1: Wearing Insulated Equipment and usage of Insulated Tools:
The very first step that you must follow to replace a light switch is wearing Insulated Equipment, by this there will be very little or almost no chance of facing any current in any case of mishandling the operational situation.
Here is a list of equipments that you must have to wear when you have to start to take a steps and want to know that :
i: Rubber Gloves
ii: Rubber Mat
iii: Rubber-soled shoes
Iv: Long Sleeve Clothing
v: Face Shield or Respirator (If Necessary)
These are the insulated equipment that you must have to use when we are discussing how to change a light switch without turning off the power. These are the best approaches that must be followed while doing this operation. By this, you will be safe, and there will be almost no chance that you will be jolted.
With this equipment that all are insulted, you have to carry the insulated tools to perform this operation.
2: Unscrewing the old switchboard:
The second step that you have to take is to unscrew the old switchboard, while looking for the procedure that how to change a light switch without turning off the power. There are scenarios when you don’t find any screws on the board of the switch that you have to replace with the new one.
It is because now there are switchboards which have sheets of plastic around their border in order to increase the beauty of switchboards, which ultimately increases the charm and beauty of your room.
So, first, with the help of equipment, you can tug the border shield, and then you can unscrew the board that is exposed now.
3: Check Current and Ground Wire:
The third step in learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power is to check the current wire by applying the Voltage Tester. By this, you can check the hot wire in which there is current flowing that can be checked by the Voltage Tester.
After you know the current wire, make sure not to touch it barehand because there is a threat that you might be jolted if you do not take these precautions seriously.
And also, you see that there must be a green screw that is holding the ground wire. Make sure to keep this wire to be “Unimpaired”. Because it is the main factor in earthing, keep it unscrewed and make it “Unimpaired” till the whole process will not be ended.
4: Remove the Old Switch:
The fourth step that you have to take when you are looking for the steps necessary to know that how to change a light switch without turning off the power, is that you have to unscrew the bolts from the switch from the inner side. Now, when you unscrew the old switch, you have to remove it and attach the new switch in place of it.
After this, you have to ensure that the two wires you unscrewed do not touch each other; otherwise, there are chances that they will touch and will make a spark or make a short circuit in the electricity circuit of the whole system.
Also Read: What is a transparent LED Screen and How Does it Work?
5: Cutting the edges of Wires by Pliers:
The fifth step in learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power is that you have to follow cutting the edges of the wires that you unscrew from the inner side of the switchboard. You can cut their edges by the use of pliers and make them to be used in the new switchboard that you have to replace with the older one.
In case you are not want to cut the edges of the wire in any case, then you can use the wire simply by adjusting the hair-type wires on the back side of the new switchboard, and then you can tighten the screw of brass to fit the wires in the new switchboard.
6: Switchboard of Proper Size:
The sixth step in learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power that you must have to keep in mind is that you have to take the size of switchboard that is the old one. Because in any case, the size will be different, your new switchboard will not fit in the section of the switch in which you want to fix it.
So keep in mind to buy a switchboard that is the exact size of the old one so that you might not face any issues with the size of the switchboard.
7: Reattach the Ground Wire:
The other step that you have to follow while learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power is to reattach the Ground Wire with the help of a screw.
The Ground Wire will be reattached as you screw it again, and make sure to keep it tight as much as you can that it must not be moved.
8: Test the New Switch:
In learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power, be sure to test the new switch, which you replace with the older one, before you fit it in the switchboard. By this, you can make sure that all the operation goes in a very well-mannered way, and you achieve your goal of replacing a light switch when the power is on.
9: Tape all the wires Properly:
Another important thing that you have to follow in the answer of your query, how to change a light switch without turning off the power, is to tape all the wires correctly. Be sure to tape all the wires before you attach the new switchboard in its original place.
By this, you will make sure all the wires are insulted, and there is no chance of any short circuit in the switchboard after you reattach it in its original position.
10: Turn the Switch On to Check whether it is working or not:
In learning how to change a light switch without turning off the power, the next step is to check whether it is working or not. Turn the switch on before you fit it properly. By this, you can fix any error or problem occurring there in the working of a light switchboard or wire assembly that might cause any spark or any disruption.
By doing this step, you can quickly fix that problem if any is occurring there, and then after fixing it, you can again reattach the switchboard in its original position.
11: Reattach the switch Board:
The last step that you have to follow while learning about how to change a light switch without turning off the power is that you have to reattach the switchboard in its original position after following these ten steps properly.
By screwing the switchboard properly, you can reattach it to its original position, and now you are succeeded in replacing the light switch with power on.
How to Change a Light Switch Without Turning Off the Power while looking for an aswer of it there are some warnings that you must consider:
Can You Replace a Light Switch With the Power ON, now you very well know the answer of this query. Here are some warnings that you must be aware while doing this operation:
1: You must be aware to touch the wire in which the current is running barehanded because there are chances that you might face a current if you don’t take preventive measures that we mentioned in this article.
2: The second warning is that you should adequately fix the ground wire with the help of a fully tightened screw so that it must not be moveable or will cause any disturbance in the electrical path system.
3: There is another warning that you must have to follow is that you must not use any screws that are used in the old switch or switchboard. You must use the new screws and bolts to fit the wires and switchboard.
4: You must be aware of the wire in which the current is flowing, and you can touch it via a Voltage measuring meter.
Is it recommended that Can You Replace a Light Switch with the Power ON:
Well, while discussing that How to Change a Light Switch Without Turning Off the Powe or Can You Replace a Light Switch With the Power ON is recommended or not. The simple answer is that it’s not recommended.
But while you are not able to turn off the main power system supply due to many reasons, there might be a large and ample power supply that, by turning it off, your entire operation system will be stopped, or many reasons may be there.
If you are able to turn off the main power supply, then do it, or if not, don’t worry. We are here to teach and to train you up to the next level of pro that how to change a light switch without turning off the power.
Conclusion:
Now you know that how to change a light switch without turning off the power . After reading this article, you know all the basic and necessary steps that are the most crucial and necessary steps in order to ensure your safety and teach youhow to change a light switch without turning off the power like a pro.
You can deal with this situation efficiently now when you read this article thoroughly. Current is not unpredictable or anything that you can take as a big giant. You can deal with the current efficiently, especially in the case when you have to replace a light switch when the power is on.
The only thing is that you have to take all the precautionary measures and have to understand the basic science of a current and want to understand the basic science of current thoroughly. You will never be afraid of the current again.
But if we can give the best practice suggestion about the situation when you are dealing with the current, you must call the electrician and turn off the power supply first and then you can perform this situation.
But in any case, if you are not in a situation to follow these best practices when dealing with the current or replacing a light switch when the power is on, you can follow our guidelines to deal with the current that all are mentioned above.
FAQS about to Replace a Light Switch with the Power On:
Is Dimmer Switch with a Single Pole Switch Replace-able:
While we are discussing how to change a light switch without turning off the power. We also want to know the answer to this question, that is yes you can. The only thing that you have to keep in mind is that you must bring that size of dimmer switch that is also compatible with your existing wiring and with the existing space in which the single pole switch that has to be replaced must be fittable.
The other existing thing is that the dimmer light is compatible with your existing wiring, so it is highly rated for the lighting you have.
Do you need an electrician to replace a Light Switch when the Power is ON:
After complete reading the article that how to change a light switch without turning off the power this question often asked by the reader, the best approach is to call the Electrician to Replace a Light Switch when the Power is On or not. You must call an electrician if you are a non-experienced person and have 0% knowledge of electricity.
So, In this case, you must call the electrician. Suppose you have a little bit of knowledge about electricity and have some experience with tools for electricity eqiupment replacement. If you can read our article deeply, then you can easily know that how to change a light switch without turning off the power.
How much time is required to Replace a Light Switch when the power is ON:
The answer to this query is that you can replace a light switch when the power is on within almost 10-20 minutes. It totally depends on the situation, whether you are a beginner or mediocre in this particular work. But it will take up to 20 minutes to replace a light switch when the power is on.
How much does it cost to replace a Light Switch when the Power is On:
The answer to this question is that it totally depends on the type of switchboard and the company that you choose. The price of a Light switchboard varies at different prices. You can find the light switchboard at the price of $10 to $20,$30 also. Often, it also depends on the colour of the switchboard that you choose to buy.
How to Touch the Black Wire when You Have to Replace a Light Switch when the Power is ON:
The answer to this question is that you can touch the black wire but not with your bare hands. You must first wear some insulated gloves and proper insulated equipment, and Then you can touch the black wire or any wire because there are chances that you might be jolted in any case of mishandling.
So be aware of all dangers and equip yourself with a proper dress that is necessary to when you know all the necessary requirement when reading about how to change a light switch without turning off the power.
Can I replace the Switchboard Light Switch with a Smart Switch:
This question also asked by the reader while for an answer that how to change a light switch without turning off the power. The simple answer to this query is yes, you can. You can change it if your existing wiring is compatible with it. It will enable you to control your wiring via voice commands or Smartphone if your existing wiring supports this system.
