Replacing single pole switch (w/one screw on each side) w/ single pole switch w/2 screws on right/1 on left

Question

I bought Enerlite single pole paddle switches to replace my old switches.  I am replacing a switch for my dining room and it has two screws on the right and one on the left.
How do I am connect the wires on the new one with (3) screws instead of (2) screws?

There is only one switch that controls the dining room.  There was only one wire connected on the right side of the old switch. The other wire was connected on the left side.

Michael Karas · Answer

This screw on the new switch is where you are supposed to connect the safety ground wire.

The following two screws on the new switch are where the switch wires connect. These would be the two wires that each connected one or the other side of the old switch.

RadioSpace · Answer

Sometimes. on a service call. electricians don't have a single pole switch (your new switch). so they wire up a 3-way switch (the old one) to act like a single pole.
or during trim your apprentice mixed up the singles and 3-ways when they were loading for the job that day.
if you need help with the wiring just post a comment.
bare wire to green screw.
black wires on gold screws.

Replacing single pole switch (w/one screw on each side) w/ single pole switch w/2 screws on right/1 on left

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