Step One: Turn off power to switch at main panel. Remove coverplate. Loosen mounting screws, and grip mounting strap to carefully pull switch from box. Do not touch bare wires or screw terminals.	Step Two: To test for current, touch one probe of circuit tester to screw terminal attached to a black wire. Touch other probe to the ground screw or bare copper wire, or to the metal box. Repeat test with other screw terminals. If tester does not light in any position, then wires are safe to touch.

Step Three: Check all wire connections. If loose, retighten connections, then return switch to box and test switch. If connections are not loose, then continue with the next step.	Step Four: Carefully note where wires are attached to switch. Release wire connections, and remove switch from wires.

Step Five: To test switch, attach clip of continuity tester to one screw terminal and touch probe to other screw. Flip lever. If tester does not light, replace the switch. (With 3 and 4-way switches, touch clip and probe to screw terminals of different colors.)	Step Six: If switch is faulty, then select a replacement with same ratings as old switch. Attach wires to new switch. If new switch has green ground screw, make sure it connects to ground wire in box.

Step Seven: Push switch back into box, carefully tucking in wires. Tighten mounting screws, and attach coverplate.	Install dimmer switch using same procedure. Dimmer should have same number of wires or terminals as old switch. With 3-way dimmer, attach red dimmer wire to the black circuit wire. If dimmer has green ground wire, connect it to circuit ground wire or to metal box.

Required Tools

• Screwdriver
• Continuity tester
• Circuit tester

Required Materials

• Wire nuts
• Switch

Estimated Times

• Beginner = 20 minutes
• Intermediate = 10 minutes
• Expert = 5 minutes

Approximate Cost

On a scale of one to ten, with one being inexpensive and ten being expensive, this project rates a one.

Tips and Techniques

Make sure you choose the same amp rating of the original when you are purchasing a replacement unit.

Always label the wires before disconnecting from the receptacle so that you can hook up the new unit correctly.

Use the screw terminals rather than the push-in connections whenever possible as this is a more durable connection.

Always check for loose connections before deciding the unit needs replacing.

If continuity test shows that the switch is not faulty, the problem may be with the light fixture or outlet controlled by the switch.

Safety Tips

Make certain switch and coverplate are firmly in place before turning power back on. Never use a switch that is loose in the wall.