I am having trouble wiring my new light switch?

Question

The power supply is at the fixture in this case.  I have 2 black wires (1 is the hot, I connected the hot to the other black to continue to the switch.  The other wires are 2 white wires, 1 red wire and 2 grounds.  At the switch there are multiple wires, including 3 black wires, 1 red, 3 white and 3 ground.  One of the black wires I know goes on to other fixtures in another room.  My issue now is I cannot get my main fixture I was trying to change the switch on to work and don't know which wire to connect to the switch.  Right now I have removed the switch completely so the other rooms lights will work.  Here is how I have it set up now.  At the fixture black to black, white to white, red capped 2 grounds capped together. At the switch area: Black (hot from the fixture) to 2 blacks, all 3 whites connected, red is capped, and grounds are together. Which wires do I connect to the switch to control the fixture and still allow the other rooms lights to work.  HELP!

TrekkerScout · Accepted Answer

The key is the red wire.  At the switch junction, attach the red wire to one terminal of the switch.  Combine all the black wires into one bundle and pigtail off a length of wire to attach to the other terminal on the switch.  The black wires are now all constant hot, and the red wire is the switch leg going up to the fixture.  The white wires should remain bundled by themselves.  The bundle of ground wires can also be attached to the green ground terminal on the switch if one is present.

At the fixture junction, bundle all white wires together and do the same with the ground wires.  Attach the red switch leg to the black fixture wire.  The remaining black wires in the junction should be bundled together to remain isolated from the fixture.

lancelot_knite · Answer

If you are having trouble wiring a light switch you shouldn't be doing it get an electrician otherwise you could cause a fire.

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I am having trouble wiring my new light switch?

2 Answers