You can also wire it up so that the switch controls the outlet and the light it’s connected to, which may be useful if you have a lamp plugged into the outlet. 137. You might need to use your needle-nose pliers to straighten out the wires first so that you can stick wire nuts onto them. Yes, a switch can be converted into an outlet if the wiring can be identified back at the source and one of the wires (the neutral or white) can be connected to the neutral source. So you’ll connect the black hot wire coming from power to either black screw and then connect the black wire coming from the light fixture to the brass screw. Connect the black wire coming from the light fixture (not the hot wire) to either one of the black screws on the switch—it doesn’t matter in this case. When the voltage tester lights up or makes a noise next to a wire (it will be one of the black wires), mark that wire in some way (I usually make a quick mark on the wire nut with a permanent marker). If it's a 3-way switch, then its two positions toggle a "common" conductor among two "traveler" conductors. Before you dive deep into this project, you’ll need a few tools and supplies to get the job done. Introduction: Second Light Switch (2-way to 3-way Conversion) By djpolymath Follow. His work has been published by iFixit, Lifehacker, Digital Trends, Slashgear, and GottaBeMobile. Light Switch to Outlet If you’re ever in doubt, just hire an electrician. Electrical Wiring Now it’s time to install the switch/outlet combo, and depending on how you want it to work, there are several different ways to wire it up. To do this, you have to join together the black wires, neutral wires, and ground wires so that you have one connection for each (using pigtails). Electrical - AC & DC - Convert 3-way switch to outlet. Be very careful to note the existing wiring configurations before anything is changed. First and foremost, turn off electricity to the circuit you’re working on. This is perfect for that kitchen scenario mentioned above, where you just want to squeeze in an extra outlet without messing with anything else. The switch can control your lights, the switch can control the outlet, or the switch can control both your lights and the outlet. These hooks will wrap around the screws on the switch when you go to install it. Home electrical wiring projects with pictures and wiring diagrams. Plus, it’s not the prettiest-looking contraption. You could replace the light switch on the wall with a switch/outlet combo. You can also split apart an extension cord and install a switch/outlet combo in between so that the extension cord still acts as normal, but it now has a switched outlet connected to it that you can plug anything into and turn it on and off with the switch, using the wiring method in the previous paragraph. You’ll need access to the white neutral wires. Electrical outlet wiring Shove all the wires back into the box and screw in the switch to mount it in place. Yet it is possible to retrofit a new three-prong or GFCI receptacle into the same outlet box without any rewiring, as long as the box itself is grounded. Application: Covert the Wiring of a Switch to be an Outlet. A great way to know if you turned off the correct breaker is to turn on the light switch before cutting the power, and if the light that’s controlled by the light switch turns off, then you know you’ve switched off the correct breaker. Does anybody know how to convert 2 wire switch to switch-outlet combination. You’d still have the switch to control the lights, but you now have an extra outlet that you can use for that fancy new blender you bought. So whenever I flipped the switch, all of the following outlets in the circuit (as well as the outlet on the switch) would turn off. © 2021 LifeSavvy Media. You’ll be left with one white wire connection and two black wire connections. Reach inside the electrical box and feel to determine whether it is a single box or a double box. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock. Remove the screws holding the outlet's face plate to the outlet box. They’re not as ubiquitous as regular light switches and outlets, but you can still usually find them at most hardware stores. Clear, easy-to-read diagrams and instructions for wiring a switched outlet where a wall switch can control the receptacle. Is it as easy as that ? Before you dive deep into this project, you’ll need a few tools and supplies to get … Old-fashioned two-prong receptacles, also known as outlets, connected to two-wire cables don't have the ground wires that protect people and electrical devices in case of a fault. Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home A few fluorescent lights can be dimmed with special dimmer switches, but most can't. Take the electrical box out of the wall. All Rights Reserved. The first step is to screw a wire nut onto each wire (except for the ground wire, as it doesn’t need one) and spread out the wires as far apart as possible. Locate the … If you aren’t sure how your setup is wired, you’ll have to go through the first step of this tutorial to look into your light switch box. If you see two different sets of wires coming into the box, then you’re good to continue. In our case, there are two black wires connected to the switch, as well as a bare copper wire, which is the ground wire. However, depending on how you want them wired up, it can be a bit tricky to do it correctly, so make sure to double-check your work and that everything is connected properly. This is the new method to make a 2-way switch connection and it is slightly different from the two-wire control method.This method is commonly used nowadays as it is efficient than the Two-Wire control system. Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician. At this point, use a voltage tester to see if the power is truly off to the light switch before you go any further. Standard and halogen bulbs require standard incandescent dimmers. Turn off the circuit breaker protecting the light switch circuit that you will be tapping into. This is the safest options and requires running a ground wire from the main electrical panel to the specific outlet. Again, the ground wire always gets connected to the green screw, no matter the wiring scenario. The source for the circuit is at the switch and 2-wire cable runs to each receptacle outlet. Using Electrical Testers. Then link the two with core and earth cable. Then connect the black hot wire coming from power to the brass screw. Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. In the end, the world is your oyster with these switch/outlet combos, and they’re some of the most versatile electrical products on the market. If you’re running out of outlets to plug things into, installing a switch/outlet combo is a great way to squeeze in another receptacle without completely wiring in a new outlet or sacrificing existing outlets or switches. This will convert a 2 way to a 3 way switch. If you opened the article not sure how exactly we were going to pull this trick off, it’s time to call in that wiring-savvy friend or electrician. As briefly explained above, the black wires are the power (or “hot”) wires and the white wires are the neutral (or “return”) wires. This exposes more of the wires and makes it easier to work on. - I have a two three way switches which i would like to change one of switches to an outlet. I dont wish to control the downstairs light fixture from upstairs. Yes, a switch can be converted into an outlet if the wiring can be identified back at the source and one of the wires (the neutral or white) can be connected to the neutral source. the switches have red, black and white wire. Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and  Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. The power must be coming into the light switch box first, and then continue on to the light fixture. Before doing so, go to your breaker box and cut off the power to the room where you’ll be changing out the light switch. At the outlets, each is wired using a pigtail splice to make the hot and neutral connections. Converting a Single-Switch Circuit to a 3-Way Switched Circuit. How to change a two-way switch. Make sure that the extension cord is 14/3 (three separate wires that are 14 gauge), and that all of your connections, as well as the switch/outlet combo are put inside of an electrical box for protection and safety. Also keep in mind that no matter how you have the switch wired up, the white neutral wires will always be connected to the silver screw. As you will see from the wiring diagrams provided from the links below, typically the white wire is used as a switch leg. On the top, I have a two-way switch and a single switch. (It's a 3-way switch if it is one of two switches that can toggle your lights on/off. Start by taking your flat-head screwdriver and remove the two screws holding the faceplate on. If it is a single box, loosen the screws on the outlet's … Craig Lloyd is a smarthome expert with nearly ten years of professional writing experience. 1st Box - Keep as switch. have two 3 way switches and one light which both can turn on and off. This is the hot wire coming from power. Light type. The cable consist of a black wire, a white wire and … Down stairs I have a two-way switch. They’ll be sure to get it right. With this arrangement, all the outlets will turn on and off at the same time. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. What Do “Swipe Left” and “Swipe Right” Mean? Once those screws are removed, take your fingers and grab hold of the tabs on the top and bottom of the switch to pull it out of the junction box. And black wires attached to the green screw wire nuts onto them daily digest of news Geek! Geek trivia, and then continue on to the specific outlet like to know I! Most houses, but you can still usually find them at most hardware.! Not the prettiest-looking contraption black wires and earth cable will convert a light.. Both can turn on and off stars 1 rating locate the … outlet wiring,... Using the device terminals to connect them the neutral wire in the bathroom and outlets, but you can usually! 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