Get matched with top electricians in Beattyville, KY

The common, marked as COM or C, is one of the terminals found in your light switch. It houses the live wire that supplies the input voltage. The other terminals, marked as L1 or L2, are the outputs to the light fixtures. Depending on if you have a one-way or two-way switch, you’ll either have just an L1 terminal or both an L1 and L2 terminal.

Yes, electricians must be licensed, certified, and in most cases, insured. Licensing requirements vary by state and local municipality, but most U.S. municipalities require electricians to hold an electrical contractor’s license. It's always a good practice to confirm requirements with your local municipality. Even if licensing is not required in your area, hiring a licensed and experienced electrician often leads to a better end result.

A license is a legal requirement to operate a business and is necessary for pulling project permits. Certifications, on the other hand, are typically voluntary and demonstrate a certain level of expertise. In some cases, a certified electrician may send an apprentice or journeyman to perform the work, but they must operate under a primary electrician who holds the proper license.

Before hiring, you should verify the electrician's license, insurance coverage, and any third-party certifications. You can use Angi’s contractor licensing search to confirm a pro's license status. Additionally, businesses with the “Angi Approved” badge on our platform meet strict criteria, including having the required state and local licenses, passing a background check, and maintaining a high average rating.

You should never unplug or touch a buzzing outlet. If there are appliances plugged in that are causing the buzzing, wait until the appliance is turned off (or turn it off yourself) and then unplug it from the outlet. Test the outlet by plugging in something that won’t use much power—a small lamp works well. If the outlet still buzzes, have a pro investigate why.

An electrician will charge between $100 to $150 to install a new light switch. Whether you need to cut into the wall and repair drywall will determine your final project cost, as you can expect to pay $50 to $75 per square foot to repair drywall.