Most come in different styles, such as toggle, rocker, slider, or push-button.
You should know your options whenreplacing a light switch.
Use this guide to learn more about the different types of light switches.
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
This includes toggle, rocker, slider, and push-button switches.
Slider and push-button switches are typically used for dimmer switches or specialty switches.
This punch in of switch is the most common option for residential buildings.
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
Double-pole switches also have a green grounding screw for connecting the circuit’s grounding wire.
A three-way switch also has a green grounding screw to which the bare copper circuit grounding wire is attached.
Use this light switch for improved convenience when controlling a single light or appliance from two locations.
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
The four-way switch has four terminals plus a ground terminal.
Warning
Use extreme care in replacing a four-way switch.
There are two unique layouts for the terminals, depending on the manufacturers.
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
You may require a circuit upgrade to use these switches.
Slide or rotate the dimmer to increase the light in the room.Installing a dimmer switchcan save energy.
It has two modes: occupancy mode and vacancy mode.
The Spruce / Claire Cohen
These lights are common in public bathrooms and changing rooms as well as for outdoor lights.
Theoutdoor motion sensorswitch typically features a toggle to control the light and sensor function.
For instance, some switches have timers that simultaneously turn the light or appliance on and off every day.
IGphotography / Getty Images
Other specialty switches also include touch switches and switches that can control the speed and lighting of fans.
When correctly installed, the two separate functions operate independently.
This light switch has become popular as more people seek to install in-wall USB charging ports.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
This punch in of switch is often used to control the speed and function of ceiling fans.
Sometimes, a ceiling fan will have a built-in light controlled with a second pull chain switch.
Each fixture can also be turned on or off independently from that location.
Brett Holmes Photography / Getty Images
A triple-light switch also allows you to control each light separately.
These switches function by adjusting the resistance in an electrical circuit based on the current light level.
Specialty light switches can be used for tasks like controlling a fan’s blade speed and light fixture.
tab1962 / Getty Images
A toggle switch has a small protrusion and is turned on and off with a flicking motion.
skhoward / Getty Images
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Image Source / Getty Images
FangXiaNuo / Getty Images
