How to Wire a Toggle Switch for a Pool Pump

A pool's pump circulates the water through the filtration system, reducing the chances of green water. It is ideal to run the pump 24 hours a day, but it can be shut down at night to conserve electricity. Installing a toggle switch inline with the pump provides a manual way to turn off the power. A toggle switch controls the flow of electricity by manually opening the circuit.

Non-contact voltage detector
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
Pliers
Twist-on wire connectors

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power for the wires you are working on at the home's electrical distribution panel. Confirm the power is off by touching a non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation. Double check the power is off by trying to activate the pump.
- 2
  Cut the power wire for the pump in the location you want to install the switch. Strip 3/8 inches of insulation off the conductors on each wire.
- 3
  Twist together the two white wires with pliers. Install a twist-on wire connector on top.
- 4
  Loosen the two terminals on the toggle switch with a screwdriver. Insert one black wire into one terminal, and the other black wire into the other terminal. Tighten the terminals down.
- 5
  Loosen the grounding screw in the back of the switch's electrical box. Wrap both green or bare wires around this screw and tighten it down.

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