Lights and outlets not working?
Question:I replaced some light switches in my bedroom (all single pole). I replaced one that controls an outlet and it works fine but now some of the other lights and outlets in the room do not. They are all on the same breaker. I connected the new switch exactly like the old one. There were 3 wires including one grounding wire.
Answers:
you said all switches where single pole... then there was only two screw for the wires to connect to other than the ground screw.what you need to do is on one of the screws there is two wires a light circuit and the plugin ..you need to put the plugin circuit on the other terminal with the hot wire.turn power back on test switch if you got it right light will go off but plugin wont..
you have a loose wire or one of your switches is bad
It sounds like you have 3 way switching. Each manufacturer has a different coding for the common wire on a 3 way switch,
The red wire should go on the terminal marked common.
This terminal is usually marked with a black stripe.You may have to find the correct combination. Be prepared to blow the circuit braker until you get it right.
Did you make sure the bare grounding wire is not touching the other connections on the switch? Should have a black, white and bare wire for a single pole switch.
Is both outlets in the duplex outlet switched or is only one switched and the other not switched? This is a typical installation. Did you change the outlet? Were there two switches in the box where you changed the switch. Did you change both switches. May have them connected incorrectly.
In most light/switch installations, the load comes from the panel to the light. The load wire is then routed to the switch and back to the fixture. The power to the outlet/switch may not be on the same circuit. Outlets and lights are not generally on the same circuit.
Good luck. A good rule of thumb when replacing switches and outlets is to mark the wires prior to removing them from the old units. If you cannot figure it out, contact a licensed electrical contractor. Electricity is nothing to fool with.
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