Single Pole Switch The single pole switch is the general purpose workhorse of switches. Single pole switches turn a light, receptacle or device on and off from a single location. A characteristic of a single pole toggle switch is that it has an on and off marking on the switch, something you will not find on a three or four way switch. Make sure the switch is wired in the correct direction so the words "on" and "off" are facing correctly. A single pole switch has two terminals and is wired to the hot (black) wire. One brass colored terminal is for the incoming hot wire and the other is for the outgoing hot wire to the device. The switch may or may not come with a ground terminal (green screw). As a general rule, you never wire the switch to the neutral wire. Please note, sometimes you may see a white wire attached to the single pole switch but only when it is functioning as a hot wire. In those cases the white wire should have a wrap of black tape on it near the switch terminal to let one know the wire is a hot wire and not a neutral wire.

Three Way Switch The three way switch is always used in pairs and allows you to turn a light or receptacle on and off from two different locations. These switches have no "on" or "off" markings because the on and off positions will vary as the switches are used. The three way switch has three terminal screws and here's where it can start getting confusing for most people (but it won't be for you, don't worry). The black "hot" wire is attached to the darkest screw terminal marked "COM" for "common." The other two terminals are used to wire up what are called "travelers" or leads for the switch. It makes no real difference which traveler wire goes to what traveler terminal on the switch. The switch will also come with a ground terminal (green screw). The trick in replacing a old switch is to mark the COM or common wire off the old three way switch before you replace the old switch. Please note, you cannot use any other type of switch in a three way application, and again, these switches must be used in pairs.

Four Way Switch The four way switch is used in between two three-way switches to control an outlet or light fixture from three different locations. If you wanted to control from more than three locations, say five locations, you would still use two three-way switches (one on each end) but now you'd use three four-way switches in between the two three-ways. The four way switch looks the same as a double pole switch except that a four-way switch will have no "on" or "off" markings. The four-way switch has four terminals most always brass in color. There is no COM or "common" wire like a three-way switch. The four-way switch simply functions as a switching device for the traveler wires between the three-way switches.

Break-away tabs Duplex receptacles usually have break-away tabs to separate the top and bottom halves so that the two outlets can be placed on separate circuits [13]. This may allow for one switched outlet for a lamp, or for two circuits to be used when heavy loads are anticipated. Two branch circuits may share a neutral terminating on duplex receptacles, a condition sometimes referred to as "split-wiring" or "split-receptacle". [13] Normal utility grade outlets for household use are a 125V 15A straight blade receptacle (NOT a plug!) Many people refer to a receptacle as a plug. A plug is a male cord end that you insert into a receptacle. outlets Outlets

These versions of the 5–15 or 5-20 receptacle are residual- current devices and have Test and Reset buttons (and sometimes an indicator light). In the U.S. and Canada they are required in many potentially wet locations, including outside outlets, bathrooms, some places in kitchens, basements and crawl spaces.residual- current devices They work by comparing the current going out on the hot line, to the current returning on the neutral line, and will disconnect the circuit if the difference exceeds 4–6 milliamperes. They are cheaper than GFCI circuit breakers and can be wired to feed additional "downstream" outlets so that putting one GFCI receptacle in a circuit will protect all the plugs, lights and switches downstream from it. They are also recommended for power tool outlets and locations where children might insert conductive objects into the receptaclesmilliamperes Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles

Double-Ganged Switch Double = Two Ganged = Joined The double ganged switch is used when you want two switches in the same location to work different things. Both switches can be single=pole One switch can be single=pole while the other is three-way. You can even have triple=ganged. These switches will have a breakaway on the side for the “hot” wire (line).

Switch/Outlet and Pilot Light Switch Wired similar to the double-ganged switch however these have either a light or an outlet that requires a neutral wire.

Light Sockets Light Sockets are where we put the light bulb for an overhead light or sconce. These can be operated by a switch, a pull cord, or they can be on always.