Light switches are one of those everyday things that we all take for granted – but have you ever stopped to wonder why they need four wires? This is because a light switch needs a neutral wire, a live wire, and two traveler wires in order to operate correctly. Let’s take a closer look at why the light switch needs four wires, and how it works.
The neutral wire is one of the most important parts of the light switch. This wire attaches to the electrical wiring in your home and carries power back to the fixture after it has been switched off. Without it, the light switch would not be able to function properly. The live wire on the other hand, brings power from the main circuit breaker and is connected to the switch itself. This allows electricity to flow through the switch when it is turned on.
Finally, the two traveler wires are connected to each other. When the light switch is off, the two traveler wires are also disconnected which prevents electricity from flowing through them. When the switch is flipped, the positive and negative terminals on the switch touch each other and the current flows to the light fixture, turning it on. As such, the four wires are necessary to ensure that the light switch works properly and safely.
Light switches may seem mysterious at first, but as you can see, it's actually quite simple. Knowing the purpose of each wire helps us understand how they work in unison to provide us with the convenience of turning lights on and off. It’s also important to note that all switches should be installed by a professional electrician in order to ensure safety and proper functionality.
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