If you have a noncontact voltage tester you simply need to touch its tip to the wire youre testing. Now if you find that when one wire is connected at the bottom it controls only the plug and when the other wire is the only one connected it controls only the light if you get a different effect post back with the exact details then.
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How To Replace A Single Pole Light Switch
Disconnecting a light switch. Is the overhead light on a different switch or do. Now disconnect the other bottom wire and reconenct the previous wire to the bottom now check the switch it should control the oposite item mark it. Loosen the terminal screws until the bare wire ends move freely. If you have to leave the circuit energised then you cannot plaster over the light switch and will have to fit a blanking plate. You need a slotted screwdriver two wire nuts a blank light switch insertor blank wall plate and possibly some electrical tape. Then putting a solid cover over the box.
The light will go. A switch rated for 15 amps installed on a 20 amp circuit may heat up if its controlling a number of light fixtures or devices that draw more than 15 amps of power. It can be as easy as removing the switch and wire nutting the two wires together attached to the switch. If the fixture is controlled by a pull chain trace the wires from the fixture to the point where they connect to power. You only need simple tools and materials to do this. Find out what circuit it is on and isolate that circuit disconnecting the cable to the fitting if possible.
To disable a light switch remove the two wires from the switch and tie them together with a wire nut. If so then you should replace the switch with a properly rated 20 amp switch. Gently pull the entire light switch assembly outward away from the wall so that the wire terminals on both sides of the switch are exposed and able to be easily worked with using a screwdriver. With the power off of course. A warm switch can also be caused by loose wire connections so check these.
Gallery of Disconnecting A Light Switch
