When it comes to replacing a switch or dimmer in your home, or adding a new outlet, you might be inclined to call an electrician, and rightly so. If you have never done this kind of work before, then it is wise that you can get in touch with an electrician in North Vancouver and explain to them what you require. However, if you think you can pull off this task with a little bit of help, then we are here to help.
This guide covers the basics regarding the installation of a switch, dimmer, or outlet in your home. Make sure to exercise caution and follow all steps meticulously, so that you can keep yourself safe during the process.
How to Install a Switch?
Although they last for quite a long time, the switches in your house might start to become faulty after a few years, especially if they are flipped a hundred times in a day. Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to call an electrician in North Vancouver for replacing any faulty switches. You just have to know your way around the electrical panel of your home.
The first step to any electrical job is to identify the circuit breakers that power each room or appliance in your house. For instance, if you need to replace a switch on a switchboard in your drawing room, then you need to flip the breaker that controls the power to the room, so that there isn’t any current flowing in the wires when you open up the switchboard.
Once you flip the breaker, you can check if the power is cut off by flipping a few light switches to see if the light comes on. Alternatively, you can use a voltage tester to check for any flowing current. Next, remove the switch plate by removing the screws that hold it in place. Then, remove the screws that hold the switch to the electrical box behind it.
Pull out the electrical box to reveal the wiring behind it, and make sure to remember the wiring structure before you remove the wires. Now you can remove the wires of the old switch and remove it. Then, you can place the new switch in the correct position and connect its wires to the wires that supply the current.
Now you can place the switch in its place and put the screws in place. Next goes the switch plate, which will also be secured by screws. Then you can flip the circuit breaker and test your new switch to see if it works. If it doesn’t, you may need to call an electrician north Vancouver to check for any other problem.
How to Install an Outlet?
When it comes to installing an electrical outlet in place of an old one, the process is quite easy. It also starts with turning off the circuit breaker that powers the outlet you need to replace. Then, you can check it by flipping the switches or using a voltage tester.
Next, remove the face plate and unscrew the existing outlet from the electrical box. Once you pull it out, make sure to check how the wiring is done at the back. Remove these wires to free the old outlet, and connect the new one with the correct wiring pattern. Next, push it back in place and screw the electrical box to secure it. Lastly, you can put the cover plate in place and secure it with screws.
Once you have completed installation, you can turn on the breaker and check if the outlet is working properly or not. This would involve checking each and every switch, dimmer and socket in the electrical outlet. If a switch doesn’t work properly, then you can use the steps mentioned in the previous section to replace or repair it.
However, if you are looking to install a new outlet from scratch, you may need a little help from an electrician north Vancouver, since it may require sawing and drilling to make space for the new outlet, as well as inserting new wiring into the walls.
How to Install a Dimmer?
Dimmers also last for a long time, but voltage surges can cause them to stop working properly, whether they are being used for lights or fans. Same as above, you will have to turn off the circuit breaker to cut power to the outlet in which you need to install a new dimmer. Once this is done, check if the current is cut off.
Then, remove the cover plate from the outlet or switchboard, and unscrew the dimmer or light switch to free it from the electrical box. Pull out the electrical box and disconnect the wires. Then, you can connect a new dimmer to the correct wiring, and fix the dimmer and cover plate back in place. The end steps from the above sections will be repeated in the end.
As you can see, the installation for a switch, dimmer or outlet is fairly easy, but it requires a lot of caution and care. Make sure to always turn off the right breaker, as this reduces your chances of being injured due to electrocution. If you aren’t confident about the installation, there is never any harm in calling an electrician in North Vancouver to do the job for you. Thanks to katoelectrical.com for consulting on this post.
