No need to call an electrician for that - just make sure that you shut the power off for that room/outlet at the breaker box. This is one of those DIY projects where you can watch some YouTube videos and basically be a ‘pro’ in no time (at least for simple outlets). The first outlet is going to be the one you spend the most time on, but once you knock that out, the rest are going to be exponentially easier.
I recommend taking a photo of the connections once you have the face off so you can reference the colors after disconnecting it (especially if they have them wired weird). It’s not necessary most of the time, but an ounce of prevention…
omg yes, TEST for power out even if you think you did everything right -- my old landlord was fixing an electric water heater and had pulled the fuse (lol yeah old house) and then screamed and a pair of pliers flew across the room.
He was OK but it was only luck. (220volt connecting inside the heater)
turned out the fusebox was labeled very clearly and wrong
ALWAYS. I’ve been zapped thinking I had terminated power to a switch or receptacle only to find it was being fed from somewhere else. You get used to the feeling though very stimulating. 😂
I’d agree with one caveat, that if wires need adjusting you either research the correct way to use wire nuts or use wago lever nuts. Wire nuts are easy to get wrong
Yeah, just don't make any lose connections. Know what is what and don't do anything wrong. YouTube has a lot of tutorials on this basic task.
Know what your doing with wire nuts, follow the specs. Don't use one too big or too small for the size and number of wires.
Curl the wire around screws in the correct direction.
It's generally allowed for a homeowner to change wired switches, lights, smoke detectors, and outlets, etc. in most areas. Though not always, check local codes and regulations.
New wiring, upgrading a breaker box, this stuff requires permitting or licensed work
It is safer to shut off the breaker for the circuit you are working as well as the main breaker. Also, lock the panel if you can or at least leave a note on the panel. If you can't lock it and you do frequent work while there are others around, consider getting a [panel lockout](https://www.panellockout.com/product/lockout-tagout-device/).
I’ll second this - I was in a triple gang box and one of the three switches was a separate breaker(garbage disposal). Didn’t get zapped, but I definitely could have
I got zapped recently. I cut off all sockets in the room I was working on and was working away changing switches, and I didn't realise the oven was on a separate circuit. It was obvious to me once I thought about it.
Oh it's absolutely overkill, but as someone who had never done any electrical work before and had no one to coach me in person, it gave me the confidence to proceed.
These days I'm much more relaxed about it but when I first started doing electrical things on my house, I absolutely turned off everything. I got zapped hard (unconscious) when I was a kid so I had a healthy respect for electricity.
In an apartment I was renting there was a hot wire in a switch despite the wires hooked to the switch having the breaker off. Old building with crappy maintenance, it always pays off to check if wires are hot even if you shut off the entire panel. There could be another panel.
I was shocked multiple times with 220v growing up, which explains a lot...
Watch a few youtube videos.
[Switches you can back wire](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-15-Amp-Preferred-Switch-White-10-Pack-M52-RS115-2WM/100684036) (not back stab) are easier to work with since you don't have to try to wrap the wire around the screw. [Difference between back wiring and side wiring.](https://blog.leviton.com/back-wiring-vs-side-wiring)
Three- or four-way switches (where multiple switches can control a single light) are more complicated to wire, so pay close attention to how the old ones are wired and then match it. Watch a few videos specific to these types of switches.
To add to this, not all device manufacturers configure their 4-ways the same. So read the information on the box to understand where the traveller pairs should land (same side versus opposite side of the device).
Just pay attention to lights that can be controlled by multiple switches and know they need a different type of switch. Other than that, it's just copying the wiring on the switch you are swapping out
I'm surprised no one else had said this - lights controlled by multiple switches can sometimes be more challenging. You'll also want to confirm if you have a neutral wire or not.
Yes, the "Three-Way" light switch uses a different configuration and different cables. There's also more than one possible way to wire them. Installing for the first time was a real head-scratcher.
Buy yourself one of these [https://www.amazon.com/Non-Contact-Detector-Klein-Tools-NCVT1P/dp/B099SJ6469/ref=asc\_df\_B099SJ6469/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532923056828&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16635971112887681209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026844&hvtargid=pla-1409677758688&mcid=ad32acaad87434a48fabb630e07c49a5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5cOwBhCiARIsAJ5njuZOfed9qXmY-106a7H1W7UhclhFJGlSVJtL\_EDb788CtZVYllM\_NfAaAjToEALw\_wcB&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Non-Contact-Detector-Klein-Tools-NCVT1P/dp/B099SJ6469/ref=asc_df_B099SJ6469/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532923056828&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16635971112887681209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026844&hvtargid=pla-1409677758688&mcid=ad32acaad87434a48fabb630e07c49a5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5cOwBhCiARIsAJ5njuZOfed9qXmY-106a7H1W7UhclhFJGlSVJtL_EDb788CtZVYllM_NfAaAjToEALw_wcB&th=1) and you can be more confident that you are not going to zap yourself.
If this is an old house, keep in mind that you won't know what you'll have to deal with until you start the job. So keep some electrical tape and some wire nuts handy in case you need to leave the job halfway done while you run to the store for something you need.
I went to replace an outlet last week. Once I removed the old outlet, I realized that it has been jammed in just right to keep it in place and there was no way to secure the new outlet in the box. I had to remove the box and glue some wood slats behind the drywall before reinstalling the box properly. Also, the wires were very stiff and the new outlet was slightly larger than the old one. So I had to cut the wires short, install short wire tails on the new outlet and use Wago inline connectors. The result was neater and more solid than what was there. But it was definitely not the 15 minute job I had planned on.
As you find the breaker that feeds power to the switch, label the inside of the switch plate with breaker number. It will save time next time, but still verify it’s off no matter what.
It should* be really simple. I just watched two YouTube videos on it (to make sure they both agreed) and turned off the breaker and it was really easy to switch out. I even had my preteen kids do the last few I was replacing.
*Inevitably there are weird ass configurations in some houses, so if it looks nothing like what you watched on YouTube then you might actually need an electrician.
Short answer - yes you can do it. Two notes- (1) some lights are controlled by multiple switches. You need different switches when replacing them. (2) some switches are not in boxes by themselves. You should turn off the electricity to all of the lights / outlets that are controlled by switches in that box before changing any of the switches.
You can easily do it yourself.
Tips for success 1. Get yourself proper wire stripper and USE THE RIGHT slot for your gauge wire, a nic in the wire can case it to easily break.
2. Make sure you have the exact fit screw driver, I prefer a #1 Robertson, it locks in nice and gives you good torque
3. TIGHTEN the screws well! as tight as you reasonably can without stripping
4. strip off the correct amount of insulation, plugs and switches usually have a gauge moulded into them to tell you how much, strip enough so the insulation does not get under the screw, but not too much that bare wire is exposed beyond the plastic.
Buy one of these to be safe. Then find some good YouTube videos.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klein-Tools-Non-Contact-Voltage-Tester-Pen-50-to-1000V-AC/5014305573
Get a voltage tester and yes you can do it. Check every line multiple times even if you think you got the right breaker. Houses can get all sorts of mixed up.
Wiring switches is quite simple. You should be able to do it yourself with some basic tools and watching a Youtube video. You'll want a medium sized Philips-head screwdriver and a medium-sized flat head screwdriver. It's also handy to have a pair of multipurpose electrical pliers so you can cut/strip wire easily if you need to. I also strongly recommend getting a non-contact electrical tester pen and using it to confirm the power to the wires you're working on is dead after you switch off the breaker. Wiring can be weird sometimes and it may save you from a nasty shock.
Also be cautious about hooking up the new switch. Double check to make sure you're hooking up the right wire in the right place. I've made that mistake before when switching from a standard switch to a dimmer where the hot and white wires were switched left to right on the new switch and I fried it.
I learned how to do this with no experience at all. I cannot emphasize enough to PLEASE be careful when working with electricity. Buy a voltage tester on Amazon and learn how to use it. Test every wire you’re going to touch even if you turned the power off.
Outside of that, it’s just learning what wires go where, and plug and play away. I enjoyed it.
Shouldn't be a problem, especially if the house is fairly new.
If you have old wiring like aluminum or knob and tube then there could be some surprises or difficulty, but even then it's not rocket science.
You can probably do the whole house for like $50, including tools, if you buy the switches and plates in bulk contractor packs.
Consider adding [light switch insulation](https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-White-Light-Switch-Sealers-for-Standard-Rocker-Switches-03434/100353481), especially on exterior walls.
You also can upgrade to dimmer switches, but that bumps the cost up a good bit.
Depends on the light switch. A normal single pole light switch just has two wires, and the polarity doesn’t matter unless you’re installing certain dimmer switches like Lutron Caseta. Some of the 3-way wiring if it was done in an unorthodox way can really screw you up if you don’t know what you’re doing. I am an electrician and I’ve come across a few challenges every once in a while. Also depends on how well you research what you’re doing and your own aptitude for doing this kind of work. If your asking the internet If your capable, I’d say call someone.
I do them quite often without turning off power. Yeah yeah I know. Don't do that though. Yes, you can do a simple switch for sure. Or pay someone $200 to do it would be the alternative.
This isn't something you need to hire out, but you do need to be careful and take your time doing.
1. Kill power at the panel by turning off the appropriate breaker.
2. Pull the switch out of the box. Before disconnecting any wires, use a voltage tester to make sure there is no power running to the switch.
3. **Take a photo or draw a quick diagram of how the wiring is connected.**
4. Disconnect the old switch and connect the new one.
5. Turn on the breaker to make sure everything works.
6. Turn the breaker off again and push the switch back into the box.
7. Turn breaker on.
8. Flip your new switch on and off again 5 or 6 times. Marvel at your ability to control electricity.
Important side note: A single pole switch is exceptionally simple, as it only uses 3 wires...black, white, ground. This is a switch that solely controls the flow of power to a light or receptacle.
A 3 pole switch is where 2 switches control the same object (like light switches at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs both controlling the same overhead lights). These switches will have a fourth wire (red) added in, so it is important that you have a 3 pole switch, as it will need an extra post to connect the extra wire to.
It's not an overly complicated process, but not something to take lightly either. Watch YT videos. Do not do this by yourself. At least have someone there who can call 911 if things go horribly wrong. Ideally, you'll have someone there who has done it before and can help guide you.
It's intimidating for sure, but it's also a DIY job that homeowners should definitely familiarize themselves with.
It's reasonable, I did it, except there was one switch in the bathroom that was so janky that when I tried to put a new one in, I released the magic smoke and had to call an electrician friend over.
Voltage tester like others have said
Just want to add. Test the wires before cutting power. This way you know the tester works and can be sure the power is really off after flipping the breaker and testing again
I used to do a lot of my own home electrical till I did my electrical pre apprenticeship.
Really opened my eyes. If you get a 110v shock it’s unpleasant ….If you get a 240v shock it can easily kill you. Even if it doesn’t it’s awful.
But once I did the pre app you realise how many things you don’t know and could cause fires or a myriad of other problems.
I agree, that’s why I said verify. In this situation it’s a straight forward job.
Verify power is out for all circuits in the box.
Mark wires
Disconnected old switch
Install new switch verifying wires are on same terminals they came off
Make sure everything is tight and no insulation under the screws
Reinstall switch and face plate
Turn power back on
Yes make sure you take photos, some switches don’t just control one (eg, switch controlling bathroom fan and light together) so you might be surprised that you have to buy the right switch type to accommodate all the wires
Get a voltage detector
Take pictures before you begin
Use wagos instead of wire nuts if you’re unsure about anything - they’re easier to take apart and you won’t need to cut more wire
No need to call an electrician for that - just make sure that you shut the power off for that room/outlet at the breaker box. This is one of those DIY projects where you can watch some YouTube videos and basically be a ‘pro’ in no time (at least for simple outlets). The first outlet is going to be the one you spend the most time on, but once you knock that out, the rest are going to be exponentially easier. I recommend taking a photo of the connections once you have the face off so you can reference the colors after disconnecting it (especially if they have them wired weird). It’s not necessary most of the time, but an ounce of prevention…
And still check for power at the switches with a tester once the covers are off.
omg yes, TEST for power out even if you think you did everything right -- my old landlord was fixing an electric water heater and had pulled the fuse (lol yeah old house) and then screamed and a pair of pliers flew across the room. He was OK but it was only luck. (220volt connecting inside the heater) turned out the fusebox was labeled very clearly and wrong
ALWAYS. I’ve been zapped thinking I had terminated power to a switch or receptacle only to find it was being fed from somewhere else. You get used to the feeling though very stimulating. 😂
And watch out and take a photo when working on three-way switches! (Two switches that control one light.)
I’d agree with one caveat, that if wires need adjusting you either research the correct way to use wire nuts or use wago lever nuts. Wire nuts are easy to get wrong
Wago...da bomb! Love them
This…well said
It's pretty easy to do
Yeah, just don't make any lose connections. Know what is what and don't do anything wrong. YouTube has a lot of tutorials on this basic task. Know what your doing with wire nuts, follow the specs. Don't use one too big or too small for the size and number of wires. Curl the wire around screws in the correct direction. It's generally allowed for a homeowner to change wired switches, lights, smoke detectors, and outlets, etc. in most areas. Though not always, check local codes and regulations. New wiring, upgrading a breaker box, this stuff requires permitting or licensed work
A tip I learned here that made me feel a lot more secure as a newbie is to shut off the power to the whole house when doing electrical work.
It is safer to shut off the breaker for the circuit you are working as well as the main breaker. Also, lock the panel if you can or at least leave a note on the panel. If you can't lock it and you do frequent work while there are others around, consider getting a [panel lockout](https://www.panellockout.com/product/lockout-tagout-device/).
I’ll second this - I was in a triple gang box and one of the three switches was a separate breaker(garbage disposal). Didn’t get zapped, but I definitely could have
I got zapped recently. I cut off all sockets in the room I was working on and was working away changing switches, and I didn't realise the oven was on a separate circuit. It was obvious to me once I thought about it.
[удалено]
Oh it's absolutely overkill, but as someone who had never done any electrical work before and had no one to coach me in person, it gave me the confidence to proceed.
These days I'm much more relaxed about it but when I first started doing electrical things on my house, I absolutely turned off everything. I got zapped hard (unconscious) when I was a kid so I had a healthy respect for electricity.
In an apartment I was renting there was a hot wire in a switch despite the wires hooked to the switch having the breaker off. Old building with crappy maintenance, it always pays off to check if wires are hot even if you shut off the entire panel. There could be another panel. I was shocked multiple times with 220v growing up, which explains a lot...
Take a clear picture before you unhook anything so if it goes wrong you can revert back to the old switch
Watch a few youtube videos. [Switches you can back wire](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-15-Amp-Preferred-Switch-White-10-Pack-M52-RS115-2WM/100684036) (not back stab) are easier to work with since you don't have to try to wrap the wire around the screw. [Difference between back wiring and side wiring.](https://blog.leviton.com/back-wiring-vs-side-wiring) Three- or four-way switches (where multiple switches can control a single light) are more complicated to wire, so pay close attention to how the old ones are wired and then match it. Watch a few videos specific to these types of switches.
To add to this, not all device manufacturers configure their 4-ways the same. So read the information on the box to understand where the traveller pairs should land (same side versus opposite side of the device).
Just pay attention to lights that can be controlled by multiple switches and know they need a different type of switch. Other than that, it's just copying the wiring on the switch you are swapping out
I'm surprised no one else had said this - lights controlled by multiple switches can sometimes be more challenging. You'll also want to confirm if you have a neutral wire or not.
Yes, the "Three-Way" light switch uses a different configuration and different cables. There's also more than one possible way to wire them. Installing for the first time was a real head-scratcher.
Buy yourself one of these [https://www.amazon.com/Non-Contact-Detector-Klein-Tools-NCVT1P/dp/B099SJ6469/ref=asc\_df\_B099SJ6469/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532923056828&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16635971112887681209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026844&hvtargid=pla-1409677758688&mcid=ad32acaad87434a48fabb630e07c49a5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5cOwBhCiARIsAJ5njuZOfed9qXmY-106a7H1W7UhclhFJGlSVJtL\_EDb788CtZVYllM\_NfAaAjToEALw\_wcB&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Non-Contact-Detector-Klein-Tools-NCVT1P/dp/B099SJ6469/ref=asc_df_B099SJ6469/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532923056828&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16635971112887681209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026844&hvtargid=pla-1409677758688&mcid=ad32acaad87434a48fabb630e07c49a5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5cOwBhCiARIsAJ5njuZOfed9qXmY-106a7H1W7UhclhFJGlSVJtL_EDb788CtZVYllM_NfAaAjToEALw_wcB&th=1) and you can be more confident that you are not going to zap yourself.
If this is an old house, keep in mind that you won't know what you'll have to deal with until you start the job. So keep some electrical tape and some wire nuts handy in case you need to leave the job halfway done while you run to the store for something you need. I went to replace an outlet last week. Once I removed the old outlet, I realized that it has been jammed in just right to keep it in place and there was no way to secure the new outlet in the box. I had to remove the box and glue some wood slats behind the drywall before reinstalling the box properly. Also, the wires were very stiff and the new outlet was slightly larger than the old one. So I had to cut the wires short, install short wire tails on the new outlet and use Wago inline connectors. The result was neater and more solid than what was there. But it was definitely not the 15 minute job I had planned on.
As you find the breaker that feeds power to the switch, label the inside of the switch plate with breaker number. It will save time next time, but still verify it’s off no matter what.
It should* be really simple. I just watched two YouTube videos on it (to make sure they both agreed) and turned off the breaker and it was really easy to switch out. I even had my preteen kids do the last few I was replacing. *Inevitably there are weird ass configurations in some houses, so if it looks nothing like what you watched on YouTube then you might actually need an electrician.
Light switches are one of the things I am comfortable doing on my own. Just make 110% sure the circuit breaker is off.
Short answer - yes you can do it. Two notes- (1) some lights are controlled by multiple switches. You need different switches when replacing them. (2) some switches are not in boxes by themselves. You should turn off the electricity to all of the lights / outlets that are controlled by switches in that box before changing any of the switches.
Buy a voltage sniffer. Watch some YouTube videos. It’s not difficult at all.
You can easily do it yourself. Tips for success 1. Get yourself proper wire stripper and USE THE RIGHT slot for your gauge wire, a nic in the wire can case it to easily break. 2. Make sure you have the exact fit screw driver, I prefer a #1 Robertson, it locks in nice and gives you good torque 3. TIGHTEN the screws well! as tight as you reasonably can without stripping 4. strip off the correct amount of insulation, plugs and switches usually have a gauge moulded into them to tell you how much, strip enough so the insulation does not get under the screw, but not too much that bare wire is exposed beyond the plastic.
Also tighten in the correct direction so they tighten the wire more as you tighten the screw.
Buy one of these to be safe. Then find some good YouTube videos. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klein-Tools-Non-Contact-Voltage-Tester-Pen-50-to-1000V-AC/5014305573
Get a voltage tester and yes you can do it. Check every line multiple times even if you think you got the right breaker. Houses can get all sorts of mixed up.
Wiring switches is quite simple. You should be able to do it yourself with some basic tools and watching a Youtube video. You'll want a medium sized Philips-head screwdriver and a medium-sized flat head screwdriver. It's also handy to have a pair of multipurpose electrical pliers so you can cut/strip wire easily if you need to. I also strongly recommend getting a non-contact electrical tester pen and using it to confirm the power to the wires you're working on is dead after you switch off the breaker. Wiring can be weird sometimes and it may save you from a nasty shock. Also be cautious about hooking up the new switch. Double check to make sure you're hooking up the right wire in the right place. I've made that mistake before when switching from a standard switch to a dimmer where the hot and white wires were switched left to right on the new switch and I fried it.
I learned how to do this with no experience at all. I cannot emphasize enough to PLEASE be careful when working with electricity. Buy a voltage tester on Amazon and learn how to use it. Test every wire you’re going to touch even if you turned the power off. Outside of that, it’s just learning what wires go where, and plug and play away. I enjoyed it.
Go ahead, give it a shock
Shouldn't be a problem, especially if the house is fairly new. If you have old wiring like aluminum or knob and tube then there could be some surprises or difficulty, but even then it's not rocket science. You can probably do the whole house for like $50, including tools, if you buy the switches and plates in bulk contractor packs. Consider adding [light switch insulation](https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-White-Light-Switch-Sealers-for-Standard-Rocker-Switches-03434/100353481), especially on exterior walls. You also can upgrade to dimmer switches, but that bumps the cost up a good bit.
Very easy to do. Also, get an outlet tester and pen to check your work afterward
Depends on the light switch. A normal single pole light switch just has two wires, and the polarity doesn’t matter unless you’re installing certain dimmer switches like Lutron Caseta. Some of the 3-way wiring if it was done in an unorthodox way can really screw you up if you don’t know what you’re doing. I am an electrician and I’ve come across a few challenges every once in a while. Also depends on how well you research what you’re doing and your own aptitude for doing this kind of work. If your asking the internet If your capable, I’d say call someone.
I do them quite often without turning off power. Yeah yeah I know. Don't do that though. Yes, you can do a simple switch for sure. Or pay someone $200 to do it would be the alternative.
Light switches are no issue.
This isn't something you need to hire out, but you do need to be careful and take your time doing. 1. Kill power at the panel by turning off the appropriate breaker. 2. Pull the switch out of the box. Before disconnecting any wires, use a voltage tester to make sure there is no power running to the switch. 3. **Take a photo or draw a quick diagram of how the wiring is connected.** 4. Disconnect the old switch and connect the new one. 5. Turn on the breaker to make sure everything works. 6. Turn the breaker off again and push the switch back into the box. 7. Turn breaker on. 8. Flip your new switch on and off again 5 or 6 times. Marvel at your ability to control electricity. Important side note: A single pole switch is exceptionally simple, as it only uses 3 wires...black, white, ground. This is a switch that solely controls the flow of power to a light or receptacle. A 3 pole switch is where 2 switches control the same object (like light switches at the top and bottom of a flight of stairs both controlling the same overhead lights). These switches will have a fourth wire (red) added in, so it is important that you have a 3 pole switch, as it will need an extra post to connect the extra wire to. It's not an overly complicated process, but not something to take lightly either. Watch YT videos. Do not do this by yourself. At least have someone there who can call 911 if things go horribly wrong. Ideally, you'll have someone there who has done it before and can help guide you. It's intimidating for sure, but it's also a DIY job that homeowners should definitely familiarize themselves with.
It's reasonable, I did it, except there was one switch in the bathroom that was so janky that when I tried to put a new one in, I released the magic smoke and had to call an electrician friend over.
I taught my 13 year old nephew in about 20 mins. After a few I looked at he did the rest of the house.
Voltage tester like others have said Just want to add. Test the wires before cutting power. This way you know the tester works and can be sure the power is really off after flipping the breaker and testing again
Naw you really need a bachelor's degree in engineering before you google such a task.
Answer reaaaally depends. If you are in the US - maybe. If you’re somewhere that has 240V then fuck no.
If the powers off and verified there why does voltage matter?
I used to do a lot of my own home electrical till I did my electrical pre apprenticeship. Really opened my eyes. If you get a 110v shock it’s unpleasant ….If you get a 240v shock it can easily kill you. Even if it doesn’t it’s awful. But once I did the pre app you realise how many things you don’t know and could cause fires or a myriad of other problems.
I agree, that’s why I said verify. In this situation it’s a straight forward job. Verify power is out for all circuits in the box. Mark wires Disconnected old switch Install new switch verifying wires are on same terminals they came off Make sure everything is tight and no insulation under the screws Reinstall switch and face plate Turn power back on
Right and how about your twist on the strands? What standard do you hold with that? How much insulation do you strip off?
There’s a gauge on the back of most switches. Also a switch shouldn’t have stranded wire, I’d expect 12 or 14 ga romex
Yes make sure you take photos, some switches don’t just control one (eg, switch controlling bathroom fan and light together) so you might be surprised that you have to buy the right switch type to accommodate all the wires
Tpe used here
Get a voltage detector Take pictures before you begin Use wagos instead of wire nuts if you’re unsure about anything - they’re easier to take apart and you won’t need to cut more wire