How to Solder a Wire to a Switch

Plug the soldering iron into an electrical outlet and allow it a few minutes to heat.

Strip off 1/2 inch of insulation at the end of the wire you are soldering to the switch. Gently twist the strands in a clockwise direction to pull them together for soldering and avoid any fraying.

Have an assistant hold the wire steady as you touch the soldering iron and tip of the solder to the end of the wire. Melt just a small amount of solder on the end of the wire. This process is called "tinning" and will help solder the wire to the switch. Apply just enough solder so that you can still see strands of the wire.

Place the tinned end of the wire on the prong of the switch where you will solder it. If the prong has a hole in the tip, then insert the wire through the hole. This design further increases the strength of the connection.

Touch the soldering iron and solder to the wire and prong on the switch. Move the solder back and forth and apply just enough so the solder just covers the wire on the prong. Turn the switch over and solder the wire on the backside of the prong. Allow the solder to cool.