Can a 3-Wire Breakaway Switch Be Substituted for a 2-Wire Breakaway Switch

Updated 05/29/2018 | Published 05/25/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Hopkins Trailer Breakaway Switch with Pin, Cable, and LED Power Indicator

(25)

$17.13

Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, and 5 Ah Battery - Side Load

(746)

$60.86

Hopkins Replacement Break-Away Switch, 7" Lead Wires

(148)

$12.55

Question:

Can I use a 3 wire breakaway Switch to replace a bad 2 wire switch?

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

Yes, you can use a 3-wire breakaway switch like part # HM20059 in place of a 2-wire breakaway switch like part # HM20010. The connections will be the same and the only differences is that the 2-wire switch grounds through the mounting hardware whereas the 3-wire switch grounds with a single wire.

The blue wire on the switch will connect to the electric brake wire coming from the trailer side connector. The black wire goes to the breakaway battery. If it turns out it is not the switch that is bad then you may want to take a look at the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part # 20099 as a replacement.

expert reply by: Conner L