106 PCWorld NOVEMBER 2019HERE’S HOW
IMAGE: DAN MASAOKAT
he process of installing a smart
switch is no different than
replacing any other type of
electrical switch in your home.
You’ll want to take the proper precautions
(we’ll help you with that, too), but you don’t
need to hire an electrician, and you won’t
need any special tools. You can do the job
with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers or wire
cutters. A non-contact voltage tester (go.
pcworld.com/vtst) is handy if you want to be
extra safe, and you can buy one of those forless than $15 on Amazon.
There are many types of smart switches,
and while this story isn’t intended to help
you decide which smart switch is best for
your needs, it will guide you through the
process of installing any one of them. That’s
because they’re all essentially the same in
terms of their wiring.
There are a few important distinctions
you’ll want to keep in mind. First and
foremost, an on/off switch will do just that:
In one position, it will send electricity to theHow to install a smart switch
Installing a smart switch is an easy project that anyone can tackle. BY DAN MASAOKA