Replacing electrical switches - 3 in same box - all connected together with a black wire and ground?

Question

I am replacing electrical switches in my house and I have a lot of 2,3, even 4 that are in the same box. The first set I am trying to replace has a black wire connecting all 3, and the same ground wire is connected to all 3 (is that right??). Anyway - how to I connect the switches? do they come that way? This is the first time I have come across this. The others were not connected together.

Answer 1

This box has one power source and it feeds several different loads in the house. This is correct for it's purpose, the other side of the switches are all separate.

Answer 2

The black is the power and its feeding all three switches. The ground is doing the same thing. If this wasn't done this way there would be a big joint to give 3 pig tales so there would be one for each switch. And the grounds also. Just connect everything back just like it is now and you will have no problem,I promise

Answer 3

Don is correct. However, that could be true just for that switch box. Some of the others may be a little different. The best way to avoid a problem is to connect the new switches and/or,receptacles, one at a time. Replace the wires exactly like the original switch and be sure the switch you are replacing has the same number of terminals.