A single pole single throw switch such as a light switch. The hot wire in a 120 volt residential ac circuit usually is coated with black insulation while the return or neutral wire is white.
How To Wire Switches
Light switch two black wires no white. The old switch had 3 screws on it. After removing the old switch the preferred method is to join the two existing black wires together and to add a short additional black wire called a pigtail. I have a light switch that is installed in a electrical box together with 2 other switches. Typically a black and white wire would connect to the two wires on the light fixture. The two black wires one is power input the other is switched power output is used to control a light fixture or outlet. The fixture should also be controlled by a switch that breaks the black hot wire to turn off.
Its essential that you determine which black wire is hot before proceeding. I tried to figure out the path of power but i wasnt getting the readings i was expecting. The ground is screwed into the box so i understand that. If the power is cut because the switch is off the smart switch will not be able to receive instructions from the hub. All white wires of the three switches are joined inside the box. In this case the neutral white wires are connected inside the switch box.
The easiest and safest way is to use a multimeter to test for current. When i pulled out the existing switch i noticed i have 2 black wires and a white wire connected to the old switch. 2 light brass and 1 dark brass named common. Switches are never connected between a black wire and a neutral wire. One wire is coming from the switch next to it the other wire is the actual wire coming from the wall. However if you need to rewire a light switch or a plug socket you may occasionally come across two black wires.
Cap it with a wirenut or use push in connectors to attach all three wires. Black means hot white signifies neutral and green indicates ground. The other end of the pigtail goes in one side of the new switch and the red in the other. Im surprised that the switch has 2 hot wires. The second option is to have the power enter the switch box and then proceed to the light fixture.