Connecting Wiring Devices

Switches and receptacles have screws where the conductors are held in place, some have back-wiring holes as well. The conductors have an insulation layer that needs to be stripped to expose the bare wire enough to be inserted in hole or screw, and then tightened into place. In case you are splicing the conductors using both back-wire holes and screws, use pigtails to independently splice each conductor instead. Toggle switches have 4 types:

1. Single pole (regular, controls 1 light or outlet)
2. Double pole, (controls 2 separate circuits)
3. Three way (controls 1 light or outlet from 2 locations)
4. Four way.(used to control a load used from 2 switching points)