Light Switch / outlet

Posted by Jack on December 31, 2005, 2:21 am

I'm not electrically literate so I'm looking for some help here.

The switch that controls the light in our bathroom also controls the
only power outlet in the bathroom. I want to make it so the outlet is
always on.

The switch has two wires coming off it and the outlet has two wires and
a copper ground wire.

where do I go from here?

thanks for any advice.

Posted by on December 31, 2005, 3:48 am

Go to the attic (or basement)and find out where the wires are
connected. If you're lucky, there will be a junction box there. You
can't do anything at that switch box. Check the wiring at the light
fixture, your main junction will either be there or at the receptacle
(if not in the attic or basement).

Call an electrician. He'll charge you a service call, but there are
almost no excuses to charge you any more than standard charge. No
materials, no inspections, etc. Shouldn't take a pro an hour.

Tom in KY, Spend a few bucks, get a pro. Live to see another day.

Posted by Brian on December 31, 2005, 5:09 am

> Tom in KY, Spend a few bucks, get a pro. Live to see another day

Yep..

--

---------------------------------------
Brian Dye
brian@tech-home.com
http://tech-home.com
---------------------------------------

> Go to the attic (or basement)and find out where the wires are
> connected. If you're lucky, there will be a junction box there. You
> can't do anything at that switch box. Check the wiring at the light
> fixture, your main junction will either be there or at the receptacle
> (if not in the attic or basement).
> Call an electrician. He'll charge you a service call, but there are
> almost no excuses to charge you any more than standard charge. No
> materials, no inspections, etc. Shouldn't take a pro an hour.
> Tom in KY, Spend a few bucks, get a pro. Live to see another day.
>

Posted by Mark Lloyd on December 31, 2005, 1:03 pm

On 31 Dec 2005 00:48:35 -0800, squarei4dtoolguy@bellsouth.net wrote:

I had a similar situation. I bypassed the switch (making the outlet
always live), then installed an X10 switch for the light (wall-mounted
RF control over the old switch box.

[snip]
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

Posted by buffalobill on December 31, 2005, 5:30 am

"There must be at least one outlet in each bathroom, adjacent to
        the sink, in addition to any outlet that may be incorporated in
        the light fixture. All such outlets *must* be GFCI-protected.
        "The NEC says that switches may not be installed inside bathtubs
        or showers. The CEC says that switches may not be installed
        "within reach" of bathtubs or showers (consult an inspector
        if you can't make it at least four feet)."
so it says at :
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/electrical-wiring/part2/section-3.html

the missing puzzle pieces: does the light switch have a separate
additional switch on it? how many wires are in the light's box? where
are all these devices?

like in our yellow bathroom, if the switch and the outlet are in the
same small single sized box, get some plastic wiremold parts including
a deep surface mounted double box and adapter to your single and put a
gfi side by side with the light switch. choose the lighted handle
modern rocker switch easily found in the dark.

this project may also involve an electrician or maybe a nice new
lighted medicine cabinet. it requires a gfi which is better than what
you presently are describing, and gfi's hook right up to those two
outlet wires just fine even if there was a bad ground. so at least put
a gfi in to replace the outlet.

at a different house we installed new flourescent lights with the gfi
and now there are 2 lights for shaving and a switched outlet and an
unswitched one.
when you get done plugging in all the rechargable shavers and trimmers
and hair dryers you'll want a power strip in the bathroom.

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
tapping outlet for light switch	August 22, 2007, 6:27 pm
Switch controlling Bathroom Light, Fan, and Outlet	April 18, 2006, 11:15 am
Installing a light switch/power outlet combo	April 10, 2006, 1:43 pm
Turning 3 way light switch into 1 motion sensor switch	July 4, 2007, 11:16 pm
Adding another switch to a relay operated light switch	September 13, 2008, 8:27 am
adding a new switch/light on to an existing 3-way switch	October 9, 2006, 9:05 am
Need help with blowing fuses in light or light switch	March 25, 2007, 7:14 pm
switch to outlet	May 28, 2006, 12:11 pm
Switch to outlet	May 31, 2007, 2:21 am
Hot water outlet: 3/4 to 1/2 switch-over. How soon?	August 17, 2006, 1:51 pm