Replacing Strangely Wired Light Switches

[DIYwidow]

I attempted to replace three single pole light switches today, in a triple box. I’ve never seen switches wired like this before and I’m wondering if it’s safe. (I also have no idea how this could possibly work, but it’s been this way for 14 years, so it must). They had a single ground wire that wrapped around each switch, starting with the switch to the far right and terminating on the one to the far left. They also had a single black wire that did the same. It had a section of insulation removed for each of the first two switches, wrapped around them, and continued on to end on the switch on the right. I put the new switches in exactly like the others had been in there, but it’s bothering me. I’ve included a picture taken before I started. It shows the ground, but not the hot wire.

 

[telectrix]

looks OK to me, not being familiar with American switches.

 

[westward10]

The black looped across the switches will be the hot wire common across the three switches.

 

[DIYwidow]

The black looped across the switches will be the hot wire common across the three switches.

Thank you, I know the black is hot and the solid copper is the ground. I put them in the right places on the new switches. I've just never done one that shared a single wire like that, across 3 switches. Is that common?

 

[DPG]

a single wire like that, across 3 switches. Is that common?

It definitely is yes

 

[Dustydazzler]

Looks like the black wire is a common feed and the reds are switched wires

 

[westward10]

Thank you, I know the black is hot and the solid copper is the ground. I put them in the right places on the new switches. I've just never done one that shared a single wire like that, across 3 switches. Is that common?

There are various ways to connect a lighting circuit and this would not be uncommon in the UK, whether this is the case in the States I am not sure.

 

[Megawatt]

There are various ways to connect a lighting circuit and this would not be uncommon in the UK, whether this is the case in the States I am not sure.

DIY I think with what you had to work with you done a good job. As stated above the grounds terminate on all 3 switches and the black hot wire wires up on the top screw. Good job