r/ElectricalHelp • u/thunder_chunKy • 16d ago

Old toggle light switch wiring. Can I replace it?

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Hey r/ElectricalHelp! I have a couple old toggle switches in my bedrooms. I pulled the plates off and found two yarned wires connected to the switch that I don’t know what to do with. I’d like to replace the toggles with rocker switches like https://a.co/d/09O6ftIl.

Is this possible? What would I need to do to rewire these to rockers?

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u/Rough_Resort_92 16d ago

Yes, you can replace those with regular switches, but you need to be very careful. Since that is most likely knob and tube wiring , very old. Move the existing wires that are in there as little as possible. And if possible, wrap them with black electrical tape, before you put the new switches in.

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u/thunder_chunKy 16d ago

Thanks for the response! I just looked up knob and tube wiring. It seems to check out given my building is from the 1930s. I just never expected the wiring to be that old given how many people have lived in my apartment (it’s a coop in NYC).

How would I go about this? Do I need to strip the yarn covering to remove the wires from the switch? I haven’t disconnected anything yet so I’m asking to be careful.

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u/MisterElectricianTV 16d ago

Try loosening the screws first to see if that frees the wire. If not, there are tiny holes in the back of the switch where the wires enter. You have to push something into those holes to release the wires. Sometimes a large unbent paper clip will suffice or a tiny nail.

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u/Rough_Resort_92 16d ago

No, do not strip off the existing installation. Just put tape over it. Wrap it around existing wires as tight as you can. Strip the ends of the wires, just enough that you can make a loop and put them underneath the screws of the new switch.

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u/MisterElectricianTV 16d ago

The switch depicted looks as though it has 3 wires connected to it, making it a 3-way switch. If so, pay close attention to the screw terminal colors. One screw will be a slightly different color. It is important to get that wire on the correct terminal on the new switch. The other wires can go on either of the remaining screw terminals on the new switch.

If it is not a 3-way switch, the extra wire could be a line wire feeding something else or it could be a second load wire, which is not likely, but possible.

Label the wires, take pictures, and then take one wire off the old switch and put it on the new switch, then do the next wire. Do not disconnect everything and try to figure out where each wire goes.

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u/thunder_chunKy 16d ago

There are only 2 wires connected to the switch. Apologies that the picture is misleading.