I want to change my electric switch plastic cover for a nice metal one.?

Question

is it easy . like u just take it off and put it on. or is the plastic connected together with something.

Answer 1

There is no disconnecting of wires involved.  All you need is a screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold it in place.  I have done this many times.  Sometimes I paint them, sometimes I replace them with ones that are more appealing to the eye.  Also, every time I paint a room, I remove them (as well as outlet covers), so that I can paint the wall without worrying about painting the outlet cover or switch cover.  Very simple.

Answer 2

yep simple as that just disconnest the wires from the old one onto the new one,dont forget to turn off the power or you might get fried though

Answer 3

it will be connected by a couple of screws so make sure you have turned the electric off at the mains or this might be the last question you ask. good luck

Answer 4

just remove and change..........Lowe's or home depot have the plates you are looking for .........just take the one you take off for size referal...........they are different sometimes......good luck.

Answer 5

You simply remove the s***w and change the plate out.A very simple job.

Answer 6

Not sure why everyone is saying to turn off the power. You are changing the face plate not the switch itself. Correct? Well there are just two screws ... one abovt the switch and one below. Now these are very short screws so be careful not to drop them. Once the screws are removed .. carefully take off the plastice plate. It may be stuck in the paint. Once off just place the new cover plate over the switch .. the switch itself should line up the s***w holes perfectly ... put in new screws and tighten just enough to keep the cover from moving around.

Answer 7

VERY EASY. It must be. Even I did it. I just unscrewed the old one and put the new one on.

Answer 8

Covers are truly straightforward - go ahead.

The confusion in your replies seems to be between 'cover' and 'front plate' - they are different things.

If the 'cover' is also the only front panel of a wall box (it has been known) - take care! (That's if you can see wires rather than a plastic (or possibly zinc) fascia when you take the cover off).

It's easy to fix, but you have to know about earthing. 3 minute job for someone who knows what they are doing - deathtrap for a complete novice. Put on a new facia; it should come with a slip including wiring and earthing diagrams (EU law). SWITCH OFF THE CIRCUIT FROM YOUR DISTRIBUTION (fuse) BOX BEFORE TAKING OFF THE OLD FRONT PLATE. If you don't know how to do that, then stop right there and get an electrician in.

Answer 9

Light switch and electrical outlet covers are just plastic, porcelain or metal  with screws inserted into the plaster boards. No need to turn off at power. However, replacing electrical OUTLETS themselves does require power being off. Good luck. LT