Help wiring single-pole switch

[royc]

Hello all,

I was recently replacing a single-pole switch in my basement storage area, and I made the cardinal mistake of not taking pictures before disconnecting the old switch . After wiring it up, the switch is now also controlling the lights to the basement stairs, and the main part of the basement. Previously, the old switch worked independent of other switches.The stairs lights switches (3-way) and main basement switch now only work if the new switch is in the on position. Turning off new switch, also turns off stair and main basement lights. I have attached a picture of the new switch wiring. Here is a brief description:

1) Black cable from left-top, to top golden terminal.
2) Black cables from right-top, and bottom, are twisted together along with another black cable piece. This piece is connected to bottom golden terminal.

Please let me know if you need any further details. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[good2know]

Im not a licensed electrician.

What this looks like to me is that you have 1 line power in, 1 line unswitched power out (the feed to the other light switches you mention), and 1 switched power out to whatever light(s) this switch is supposed to control.

The switched power out should connect to the top pole on the switch. (left side in this pic).

The power in, unswitched power out, and a short wire to provide power to this switch should be all joined together with a wire nut. This is what is called a pigtail. The short wire would connect to the bottom terminal on the switch providing power to it.

[Mark & Lynda]

I drew up a diagram you can follow. Basically what G2K said.

It might be easier for you to follow this. It will work this way.

The diamonds represent wire nuts.

[royc]

Thanks a lot good2know & Mark & Lynda, your advice and diagram really helped! I had accidentally misconnected the switched power out, fixed that and its working fine now.

[good2know]

Thats great