So, I had a light switch break. Unfortunately, it is not a "simple" single switch. This is a dual switch that has one switch on the top that controls the front exterior porch light, and a second switch on the bottom that is one of 3 switches that controls the interior foyer light/chandelier (this one, one at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top). So the bottom switch is a 3 way switch. The other wrinkle is that the front porch light (top switch) is on a different breaker (circuit) than the interior foyer light (bottom switch). I could not find the exact make/model replacement switch, but found one that the fine folks at Home Depot say does the same thing.
My issue is that the wiring points on the new switch are not exactly the same as the old switch, and I don't want to wire it up wrong and fry the new switch or set the house on fire. Below are the current (no pun intended) switch and replacement switch side by side. On the existing switch, the connections/wires on the left side from top to bottom are black, empty, black. On the right side from top to bottom they are black, white, red. My question is whether the connections are actually the same on both switches (despite the difference in location) and whether the wires just go to the same relative positions on each switch? It looks like it should be, but I have been wrong before, so...
My issue is that the wiring points on the new switch are not exactly the same as the old switch, and I don't want to wire it up wrong and fry the new switch or set the house on fire. Below are the current (no pun intended) switch and replacement switch side by side. On the existing switch, the connections/wires on the left side from top to bottom are black, empty, black. On the right side from top to bottom they are black, white, red. My question is whether the connections are actually the same on both switches (despite the difference in location) and whether the wires just go to the same relative positions on each switch? It looks like it should be, but I have been wrong before, so...