How to Switch an Outlet
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2022
- In this video, Chris shows how to wire a switch to control an outlet. Be sure to use 3-conductor wire, as shown in the video, even though you may not use the neutral wire right away.
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As a teenager, I was an apprentice with my dad as an electrician. This was the simplest and most helpful explanation of this process! Gotta love those wagu connectors!
Thanks so much 😊
P😊@@handydadtv
My man. I have a radon fan that is very quiet but I live in the mountains and don’t like the hum of it in the early morning when were having coffee and it’s real quiet. This video was perfect to show me how to wire a switch there.
Think about using a smart switch so you can set a schedule. Then it will be quiet every morning while you enjoy your coffee.
I watched so many videos and yours was the only one that made me understand what I was doing wrong. Thank you for explaining in plane language and for having great quality easy to see what your doing video.
Thanks so much 😊
Thanks for another great video. Very detailed.
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Very Nicely done. Great explanation!!
Thanks so much 😊
Thanks for teaching us. Very good video. Very well explained. Nice presentation. Thanks.
Appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your video. I am 80 years old woman woman, and I just put in two plugs. I am ecstatic thank you, jmj
Never too old to be handy!
This is a wonderful video! Thank you for your highly detailed explanations
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Best video on this subject (and I watched several). Thanks
Thanks so much 😊
I actually like these videos I can learn much more from your videos that are very informative. Great job and thank you for sharing
Glad they’re helpful 👍🏻
@@handydadtv for sure. I feel like I’m pretty good with electrical as I’m in the electrical field right now so I’m very familiar with relays & circuits etc. however I never get cocky with electrical because there is always room to learn and grow no matter how long you’re in the field. I am pretty good with normal circuits etc. where I’m learning more in putting in dub panels. I currently have a 200 amp service that was upgraded from a 100 amp due to the solar panels put on the roof. Now I would like to put a 100 amp sub panel in the back yard to build a small 1 bed apartment to eventually rent out. I’m just not that great at figuring out how big of a sub panel I can run off of my 200 amp service.
Thank you for posting this!
My pleasure
Such clean work
Thanks
OMG YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!
Thanks so much 😊
Great video. I noticed you were able to open the push in Wago connector easily? How did you do that? I have been trying to figure it out since I bought them. By the way thank you for that info as well. I was still using wire nuts and these connectors are so much nicer and easier to use if I can just figure it out.
Lift the orange lever and the wire should insert all the way to the bottom. Then close the lever to lock it in.
Glad to see a switch loop wired correctly, however in this case the white wire is not a neutral, it is a grounded conductor. The white wire becomes a neutral when it carried the imbalance of two circuits.
Thanks.
Great video ❤
Thanks so much 😊
Excellent video. Thank you! 💪🙂👍
Thanks so much 😊
Clearly explained a pleasure to watch your videos. My question, I have a switch controlled outlet and want to remove the switch from the circuit and maintain constant power to the outlet. Will removing the red jumper wire from the circuit achieve this. Thanks in advance, Peter
Just remove the switch and join the two wires from the switch with a wire nut, then replace it with a blank plate. Not sure what you mean about a red jumper wire.
Thank you very well explained, bless
My pleasure
THANK YOU !!
My pleasure!
I am literally amazed that every video I see has black, red and white wires. I haven’t seen a red wire in Texas in my life. Where the fuck do these come from? What state are we in? I’m blown away by this we have black and black and white. Period.❤
Codes evolve over time. I’m in NJ btw.
thank you this is somthing i needed to know
Glad it was helpful
Thank you for making these videos. Could you wire the 14/3 into the outlet you added in the previous video? Or does the original outlet you started this series with have to be the switched outlet?
You can add a switch to any outlet.
Hello.
Your videos are really excellent and clear!
Question for you: my situation is reversed...I have the outlet controlled by the switch and would like to have it independent so i can use the switch to control a light on the ceiling that I'll install later...what should i do?
Thanks for your time.
For starters, you need to determine how the outlet and switch are currently wired.
Then eliminate the switch by making the outlet hot all the time.
Then you’re free to wire the light to use that switch.
Ugh. I tapped an outlet on a 20 amp breaker with 14/2 in my garage for an small flood light and just saw where you stated to use 12/2 so what is the worst that can happen using the 14/2? I ran the 14/2 behind the sheetrock so I hate the thought of having to pull it and rerun but will if you think there’s going to be an issue. Thanks! Love your videos. So helpful.
You have two choices:
1. Replace the wire.
2. Change it to a 15 amp breaker.
Thanks for sharing this
My pleasure
Thanks!
My pleasure
Okay I have something similar to this. I have a new build home and we have a half hot plug in each room, I was dumb and didn't add wafer lights in the 2 spare rooms so I had to do it myself. The light switch in the two spare rooms controls the outlet on one wall in each room, the outlets are on exterior walls so I do not want to have to snake 14-2 wire through that to get the power and would rather use the light switch. The light switch in question had a 14-3 so R B W. the switch had red wire and black wire on different poles on a one pull switch and the whites were tied together. The halo puck light has two wires, white and black, I ran the wire through the attic to the switch and how do i wire the switch up then?
From Halo light Black wire to the red on switch and tie the white neutral to the others?
or
From Halo light black to black on switch, cut red and terminate it?
I'm just confused
All grounds and neutrals will be connected together. Including from the Halo.
You need a voltage tester to verify this:
I’m assuming the black wire is always hot and the red wire is only hot when the switch is on. It probably goes to your switched outlet.
So I would join the black and red and a pigtail to one screw on the switch. Then connect the Halo black to the other screw on the switch.
I have multiple GFCI outlets in my kitchen (as per codes). The GFCI on one of said outlets covers two outlets. Is it possible, i.e., to code, to install a switch next to the GFCI outlet that controls these two outlets? The idea is to be able to quickly enable/disable any appliances connected to the two outlets instead of having to press the Test button to do it on the GFCI outlet. Love your channel. Thanks 🙏
Yes you can add a switch to control a GFCI outlet and all downstream outlets.
Thanks, HandyDad 🫡 😊
You are the man
Thanks 😊
Great video. It explains how to hook it up easily using 14/2. I’m using 12/2 on 20 amp breaker. I have a 20 amp switch. How do I wire a 2 gang outlet powered by the switch using 12/2 wire with no red load wire?
Same way. It’s just thicker wire.
@@handydadtv OK but I can't find the 12 gauge 4 wire anywhere. Maybe I am searching for the wrong thing. Can you point me in the right direction?
Four wire is actually 12/3 - that means it has 3 conductors plus ground.
@@handydadtv thanks!
Best instruction🎉
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Nice video. I would have shut the power off and used my Fluke 77 and checked for continuity to the second outlet to be switched.
Thanks 👍🏻
How about installing an indoor smart switch to provide an outdoor 15A outlet with on/off capability ? I am thinking about connecting an outdoor string lights (15 small bulbs) + the occasional heater for greater balcony comfort in late autumn. But most switches suggest that they should serve for lighting purposes. What are your thoughts on this please ? Does the switch limit the power capacity of the 15A outlet in any way ? Btw, great job on the video. Much appreciated.
If you get a smart switch that has a relay (simply on-off instead of dimming) it should be fine with an outlet.
Thanks for the video!! I have a "twist" to your setup. What if I need to switch an outlet in the second box. Can you do a quick update and show separate switches controlling an outlet in each box. I keep getting a floating neutral when trying to switch the second box. I'm measuring 68v from ground to hot leg.............
This video shows everything you need. Just switch the hot wire that goes to whichever outlet you want to control. The ground and neutral should always be connected. When the switch is off, you should get 0 volts across hot and neutral or hot and ground. It’s possible to get a fractional volt using a digital meter through induction, but nowhere near 68V.
You could also switch just the top or bottom on a receptacle leaving an always hot option on the plug.
How to Switch HALF an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/5D4itWGtTVQ/видео.html
Sir a very good job. I do have a question: how can I connect a 3-way switch to a fan/light with a wall-remote- control switch? Thanks I be waiting for your answer, please do respond for I need to fix this problem, Juan.
This video explains 3-way circuits: ruclips.net/video/aajyhWpU9fo/видео.html
Just pretend the light is your ceiling fan.
Very well explained! Thank you! Ho do I wire a separate switch to a new location using the power from an adjacent room. That's a from a switch. Please help
How to Add a Light from an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/xOZv17BPTZA/видео.html
@@handydadtv thank you! That was extremely helpful, God bless!
Thank you for the tutorial.
What happened to The Living Flip series; any new videos planned?
We’ve done everything. Nothing more planned until one of my other kids buys a house!
Great stuff. Couldn’t you have used the continuity tester on your multimeter to safely figure out which black wire went over to the other outlet without power on?
Sure, because they’re close to each other, but that’s not always the case.
I was told to use a long piece of wire to check continuity between rooms. I’m doing this right now. Who ever wire my house must have done it on a don’t give shit Friday or hard starting Monday.
Thanks for the video and the reply.
Please make a tutorial on how you make the outlet be working without turning on the switch when the outlet will only work if you turn the light switch on.
See my reply to your previous comment.
Thanks for your videos. Is the hot wire usually used in the switch to break the circuit? I Recently noticed my headaches went away from unplugging my wifi box at night. Now i want to have a switch to easily shut it of at night instead of pulling the plug
Yes, always switch the hot wire.
But this would be a lot easier: ruclips.net/video/acr0Lx5dZnw/видео.html
Referring to my previous question regarding switch controlled outlet. My existing switch has a black hot wire and a red wire. The red wire goes to the outlet receptacle. When I disconnect the red wire from the switch, the outlet receptacle is dead. I see that inside the outlet receptacle there are three black wires joined together with a wire nut. One of the wires is hot once I determine which one of the is hot I can connect a pictail and connect it to the outlet receptacle. Obviously there is an existing neutral and ground already connected the the outlet. Think this will provide constant power to the outlet. Your thoughts Sir, Thank you, Peter
My suggestion is to simply remove the switch and join the black and red wires there. Alternatively, you can disconnect the red wire and use the black at the receptacle, but that’s your choice.
I'm replacing a single box unit in a bathroom with shower. There's a single switch for the shower light and a single switch for the mirror lamps, and there's a single outlet supply. I'm looking to replace the two single switches with a duplex switch, and to put in a duplex outlet with two USB ports. The duplex I purchased has a hot (brass) input and a neutral (silver) terminal but those are my only terminals on that unit, does that mean that I have to make this unit a terminator, meaning it would have to be on the back side of one of the light switches? 😀 I think I'm beginning to confuse myself now. Hope you can shine a little light on this one for me!
Thanks.
John Mallett
Check the wiring diagram with your outlet. It may allow back-wiring, which means there’s a clamp on the screw that allows two wires on one screw. In that case, your wire goes in straight without making a J-hook.
HOWEVER, you need to ensure that outlet is GFCI protected in a bathroom. If it’s protected by a GFCI breaker or receptacle elsewhere, you’re good. Otherwise this needs to be a GFCI receptacle - and I’ve never seen a USB receptacle with GFCI. So you might not be able to use your receptacle.
So if I have an outdoor outlet can I switch that to a light switch and run power from that to an outlet for lights surrounding a fire pit or would it just be better to add another outlet down the line?
Watch this: ruclips.net/video/BfRZSYN1QcU/видео.html
I would recommend having a GFCI outlet on the house and then run the underground line to your fire pit. That way the whole line will be shock protected. You can wire an outdoor switch between the GFCI and your lights, either at the house or at the fire pit.
Appreciate your videos. I am helping out my daughter in putting in a disposal and trying to wire up the receptacle to a switch and am having issues. The house was already wired for a disposal but the previous owner elected not to have a disposal and removed the receptacle from the box under the sink. The box is currently acting as a junction box basically where it feeds a 14/2 going to various receptacles around the kitchen counters. In the switch box located on the backsplash, there is 14/2 going to the receptacle box currently under the sink all of which are disconnected and capped. There is no 14/3 here in this situation at all. Will this still work? I understand how using the hot and neutral wires with the switch will both act as hot and all that but it's the wiring at the receptacle that is confusing me. Is there a video you have that covers this situation? Thanks!
If the 14/2 wire going to the switch box is also feeding outlets, then you can’t use that wire to switch the disposal.
If that’s the case, your best option is to install a switch box just inside the cabinet door. That’s how my house is wired.
@@handydadtv Thanks for the reply! I was trying my best to explain but it's tough to do it in a post on RUclips, ha ha. I was saying the wire feeding the other outlets is not in the switch box on the backsplash, it's in the box below the sink where the receptacle will go. I think I figured this out. I had this wired up correctly yesterday but the switch would not operate the outlet. The thing I failed to do is break out the brass connector between the top and bottom half off the receptacle on the hot side which had I done so the switch would operate the top half of the receptacle and the bottom half would be always live. Duh. Now you probably understand what I'm saying here. ha ha. Solved. You should do a video on this one, there are others on this scenario which is the same as your video but no 14/3 involved and you allow the switch to operate half of the outlet. Thanks!
@sean_heisler Glad you figured it out!
How many recessed lights can I add off that setup with a 15A switch?
At 13 watts, like 100. So more than you’d want.
@@handydadtv thanks👍
Instead of messing with the black wires with the power turned on, all you need is a digital multimeter, and check for continuity across the black wires.
That’s fine if they’re close enough.
So in this case you ran the 12/3 so you can control the power of the receptacle with the switch correct? Let’s say you have a light and the home-run is in the light box, and you have a 12/2 from that box to a switch, then the switch to the receptacle, would you just pig tail the hot in the switch box to the terminal on the switch? And terminate the receptacle normal neutral/hot/ground. Would that work?
In this video, I was switching an existing outlet where power came into the outlet box.
If your power comes into the switch box, you can use 2-conductor to the outlet instead of 3.
@@handydadtv can you provide a wiring diagram utilizing 2-conductor if the power is in the switch box that wires two receptacles? Thanks
Describe what exists right now, and what you want when you’re done.
Right now I have a switch which is being fed by a 12/2(hot) and from that switch I want it to control two receptacles just like your setup in this video. Your hot is in your receptacle box and mine is in my switch box. .
What is the switch currently controlling? Will you daisy chain the outlets (just one connected to the switch; the second outlet connects to the first)?
Hi Daddy would be able to add a GFCI switch to an existing lamp switch wich is.only have one hot no neutral in the box?
Can’t wire an outlet without a neutral.
Awesome
Thanks 😊
How would I wire a single switched outlet from my breaker box?
I don’t have a video about adding circuits. You’ll need to look elsewhere for that. But the wiring of the switch and outlet are the same as shown here.
hi. may be a dumb question, but at 8:30 of video aren't you handling live wires. isn't this risky and better to just test /cut power/mark live wire /connect..etc albeit takes more steps.
Yes they were live but I took appropriate precautions by handing with the needlenose pliers. Sometimes you need to turn the power on so you can test.
But, please, you do you. If you’re not comfortable, please call an electrician.
Great video. I have a couple of switched outlets that I want to be always Hot so I'm going to reverse engineer this video and see how I get on
Once you understand the basics, it shouldn’t be hard to figure out.
Could've done a continuity test with meter to determine the correct wire to (right) outlet? Instead on work with a hot (live) wire?
Yes, but that’s hard if you don’t know where the other end is. I always separate the wires and test to see which is hot.
Here down under the switch flips up for off, down for on. I guess we just do things a little upside down here.
Then again I’m pretty sure the same applies for Europe and UK too
You are right
I guess that's why you're down under and not here. up above. JK 😎
How do you wire 3 outlets to a switch? But only the top outlets. I have my lamps in my room plugged into the top plugs. The bottom ones are not connected to the switch. Is there a video you can recommend? Thanks!
These should help:
How to Switch HALF an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/5D4itWGtTVQ/видео.html
How to Add an Outlet from an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/-WufbstcvRw/видео.html
Awesome thank you. 🙏
If you add more outlets after the second one will they all be controlled by the switch?
Yes, unless you wire it so only half of the receptacle is switched.
I have a switch like this (switch controls one side of the outlet). But I want to return the outlet to normal and use the switch to control a light using the same cable being ran to the outlet. Do you have a video on how to do that?
No sorry, that’s a very specific situation.
I have been trying to figure out how to add canless lights in my ceiling and use the power from an existing fan that is wired to a wall switch. I dont want the fan to come on everytime i turn the caless lights on--but--I also dont want to have to fish walls or run other lines. suggestions?
You need to open it up to see how it’s wired. If you have two hots at the fan (one switch, one on constantly), you can wire the fan to the hot so you need to use the pull chains (or a remote). Then you can use the switched hot for the lights.
Can you add a dimmer switch? I want to be able to dimm some cob led lights.
It’s a bad practice to have a dimmer control an outlet. Usually you dim LED lights from the controller, not the power source.
Thank you for your fast response. I was trying to install a dimmer switch and control 2 outlets with an AC to DC converter plug in the outlets. Then connect the cob lighting to the converter to be able to dim my lights from the switch. What do you think?
You can dim DC lights with an AC dimmer. You need to get a power supply that allows you to dim your particular lights.
I am using 12/2, 20 amp, can this be done with that wire or should I get the 14? I have a florescent light that I want to control with a switch.
You need to use 12/2 on a 20-amp circuit.
@@handydadtv as I stated, I will be using a 20 amp circuit, do I need to use 14 gauge wire for the switch, or can it be done with the 12/2 gauge?
No, you need to use 12/2.
If I'm running lights off outlets in my shed using a single poll switch would I have to have 12/3 wire.
12 gauge wire is for 20-amp circuits. If you have a 15-amp circuit, you can use 14 gauge wire.
Whether you use 2 or 3 conductors depends on how you wire it. Code requires a neutral in every switch box, whether you need it now or possibly in the future.
How close are you to Atlantic City?
About 2 hours drive
Is it true with this configuration that the second outlet can NOT be split into two (one always hot)? I'm thinking there aren't enough wires going to the second outlet.
How to Switch HALF an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/5D4itWGtTVQ/видео.html
I’ve already ran 14/2 wire for an outlet that is going to have plug-in lights. I want to operate it by switch. I don’t have to worry about the code. How would one go about wiring that to the outlet from the switch is it the same wiring a switch to a light
How to switch an outlet… that’s the topic of this video. But yes, it’s the same as a light. Always switch the hot lead and you’ll be good.
@@handydadtv Thank you for the reply, and help just to be sure what I did was run the hot from the switch to the hot on the outlet. I ran the neutral from the switch to the neutral on the outlet, and tied the grounds together with the green wire nut with the hole at the top pretty straightforward I used to 14/2 wire will this be OK?
In my attic my HVAC installer removed a light switch and a electrical outlet that were right next to each other and now there are just a bunch of wires connected to one another, which are powering my air handler. How would i go about adding an outlet into this mix as i need an outlet in my attic.
Use a voltage tester to verify the black ones are hot and the white ones are neutrals. Then add pigtails to connect them to your outlet.
can you add more than one outlet to the same existing outlet?
Technically, yes, based on the size of the box. See www.omnicalculator.com/construction/box-fill
Question. Would this work for a garbage disposal?
Yes. Just make sure it’s a GFCI outlet.
Thank you!
Video jumped at 2:40. Would love to see the missing part and the wiring at the back of the demo wall
The back has no wiring. It just connects to a plug.
so, what if you want to have a 3rd outlet controlled by the switch. How do you do that?
I don’t understand. You want all 3 to be controlled by the same switch?
yes, all 3 on the same switch. @@handydadtv
How can I install a gfci outlet to box with no neutral wire. It only has 1 red and 2 black wires.
You can’t install any outlet (GFCI or not) without a neutral.
Why isn't it mentioned to break the center tab off in this set up? the center tab should be broken in between the brass terminals to make this switch outlet work?
How to Switch HALF an Outlet
ruclips.net/video/5D4itWGtTVQ/видео.html
Sir, do you believe that there is any danger in running loose Romex behind a wall?
Yes.
No. The only reason they attach wires during new construction is to keep them away from the wall sheathing or drywall. Once the walls are built, it is common practice to fish wires through a wall cavity with opening the wall to attach them.
Yes, there is extreme danger in running loose Romex behind a wall.
@@fredhammer6413 Did you read the response from HandyDad? He states the opposite of your response.
@@handydadtv Thank you for taking the time to reply. You are decent and respectful.
Handy dad I am making a arcade machine at home how can i wire the power outlet to a on off switch
This video showed how to switch an outlet. Are you thinking about a different kind of switch?
@handydadtv I'm just confused I guess I bought a 3 wire plug to run power to a outlet/switch, I want the switch to either provide power when on or nothing when off
@@handydadtv it's for a home arcade I built
@alecfoster7711 Your 3-wire plug should have black, white and green wires. You only need to switch the black like I showed in this video.
Hello I have a question
Hello I may have an answer
Wego connections look crappy...
Wire nuts with twisted wire looks good
They’re not crappy at all. Just not what you’re used to seeing.
Agreed, wegos save time and if you need to redo a circuit its much easier to take apart. Technically speaking if you are using wire nuts, the wires are not required to be twisted together even though most people use that method, the wire nut is designed to bond the wires together
I missed typed… you have 16 conducting wires, not eight
I think you miscounted.
You did not mention that single gang box is way to small to accommodate one device and all of the conducting wires. A single gang outlet only allows 18cu. You have 8 conductors, ground, one device, and lugs!
You’re over 42cu! Way out of code and to much heat for a single gang box, 32cu max for a two gang box, 44 for a three gang box,60 cu for a three gang box.
Thanks
According to www.omnicalculator.com/construction/box-fill, with 7 conductors (14 AWG), 3 grounds and one device, the box needs 20 cu. Still more than 18.
Thanks for pointing this out.
This Part was a little confusing.
Sorry
Not very clear to watch
Thanks for your feedback