How to install a Switch/GFCI combo
If you have any questions please ask in the comment link below, I will answer them to the best of my ability, also if you have future projects that you would like step by step instructions please post in the comment box I will usually answer the same day.
1) Tools.
a) Thin flat head screw driver
b) Phillips head screw driver
c) drill(optional)
d) wire strippers(maybe)
e) ac tester
f)white and black tape
2) Shut the power off to the switch. If your old switch still works (yes people change switches that still work) turn it on. Go to your panel (your panel has the breakers or the fuses in it) and turn the breakers off one by one. Changing a switch is a one man job but if you want to avoid running back a forth another person standing there and yelling at you when the light shuts off helps. Or shutting all the breakers off and the main just to be sure is what I would recommend. This is electricity SAFETY FIRST!!!!!
3) Remove the plate cover from the switch. This will be the easiest part of your project. On the top and bottom of the switch there will be small screws. You will need the thin flat head screwdriver to remove these. If the location you are installing the switch has multiple switches you will need to remove all the plate screws. Then remove the plate and place the screws and the plate together for replacing later. Do not lose those little screws believe me they are easy to lose.
4) Remove the switch. OK the fun part. Take a drill or a Phillips head screw driver and take out the screws on the top and bottom of the switch. Now grab the yoke of the switch(that's the top and bottom of the switch) do not grab the switch by the side we want to be sure the power is off and the only way to do this is to pull out the switch. The power is located on the side so if you grab it by the sides and for some reason the power is still on you will get shocked. This is electricity SAFETY FIRST!!!!! So grab the yoke and pull out the switch. If you are in a box with multiple switches you may need to remove multiple switches to be able to pull your switch out far enough to easily work on it. Wires commonly get stuck behind other switches so take the extra step you will wind up doing it anyway after trying to work with short wires and fail. Trust me I tried too.
5) Check and make sure you have a neutral and ground. We cannot proceed with this job unless you have a neutral in the box, so check. You need to look for a white wire or gray wire in the box. If you house is older, you may not be able to tell and that's where you need the meter. You will have to turn the power back on for this so be careful. Touch one of you leads to what you think is the neutral and the other lead to the metal box, if you have power that is NOT the neutral. If you don't have power touch one lead to the supposed neutral and the other to both of the screws on the switch, if it shows power on your meter you found the neutral. Mark it with white tape. You will probably need to add a ground screw with a 8" piece of ground, or in the least connect a wire with the other grounds on the box to connect to the device.
6) Find the hot wire. One of the screws on the switch always has power so what you want to do is find it.
a) Put the switch in the off position
b) Take your meter and put one lead on the metal box or bare ground wires in the box and the other lead to each screw on the switch. Find the hot wire and mark it with back tape. Shut the power off.
7) Remove the wires from the switch.
8) Install the Switch/GFCI combo. The top is the switch and the bottom is the GFCI, we will wire the switch first.
a) Your device should have one side that connects the top and bottom screw, if it does not you will need two 6" black wires. Strip both ends of the 2 wires about an inch and connect one side of the two wires to the hot wire you marked with black tape.
b) Connect the wire or wires to the hot side of the device. An easy way to distinguish what the hot side is, is to look at the two bottom GFCI screws. One of these screws is silver, the other screw is your where you will connect your hot wire to.
c) Connect the remaining original switch wire to the other side of the top of the device
d) Connect the white wire to the silver screw. Make sure that when you put the wire under the screws they are completely under the screws.
e) Connect the ground wire.
9) Installing the new switch. Your switch/GFCI at this point should be facing you. OK now carefully push the switch into the position. While pushing the switch in, the wires should be pushed in so they fall easily into the box. It takes practice so get the wires in there so it doesn't look like a knot. The two screws on the switch's yoke should be lined up with the holes on the top and bottom of the box. Screw the top one in almost all the way. Now screw in the bottom one so the yoke touches the drywall. Finish screwing in the top screw so the the switch is snug to the drywall. Do not over tighten just snug. This probably made the bottom one lose so make that one snug too. Now test the switch and the GFCI
10) Finishing. Put the plate back on. Please for me sure your screws are all facing the same way on your plate(i know but its a pet peeve) If your box has multiple switches you may need to slide your switch left or right to get the plate on. Turn the power on because you just finished installing your first switch. Enjoy
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John
| Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. I can not be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. |
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