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Replacing a wall switch that supplies power to a wall outlet Steve 08-03-2008
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Posted by Steve on August 3, 2008, 7:45 pm


I don't know a lot about house wiring. My wife and I moved into a
house a couple of years ago and are essentially trying to learn as we
go.

We have an air conditioner in our bedroom. Next to the air conditioner
is a wall outlet, but the wall outlet is dead (both the top and bottom
receptacles) and we've had to power the air conditioner via a long
extension cord. It would be much better to be able to power the AC via
the outlet that's right next to it, but I'm not entirely sure what's
wrong with that outlet.

It looks to me like the outlet is powered by a lever-action wall
switch. This sort of arrangement is present in a couple of other rooms
in our house...and the wall switch doesn't seem to be powering
anything *else* at the moment. However, assuming this is correct, no
power is reaching the wall outlet, no matter what position the switch
is in. I know because I have tested it. Power *is* present at the wall
switch, though. I know because I pulled the switch out of the wall and
used a multimeter to see that there is 24 volts on it (well, 23.9 to
be exact).

I'm guessing that the lever-action switch is simply defective and in
need of replacement. However, is there something I ought to be looking
for or considering before I run out and buy a replacement switch? Any
thoughts and/or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Plumbing 468x60
Posted by The Postman on August 3, 2008, 7:53 pm


>I don't know a lot about house wiring. My wife and I moved into a
> house a couple of years ago and are essentially trying to learn as we
> go.
>
> We have an air conditioner in our bedroom. Next to the air conditioner
> is a wall outlet, but the wall outlet is dead (both the top and bottom
> receptacles) and we've had to power the air conditioner via a long
> extension cord. It would be much better to be able to power the AC via
> the outlet that's right next to it, but I'm not entirely sure what's
> wrong with that outlet.
>
> It looks to me like the outlet is powered by a lever-action wall
> switch. This sort of arrangement is present in a couple of other rooms
> in our house...and the wall switch doesn't seem to be powering
> anything *else* at the moment. However, assuming this is correct, no
> power is reaching the wall outlet, no matter what position the switch
> is in. I know because I have tested it. Power *is* present at the wall
> switch, though. I know because I pulled the switch out of the wall and
> used a multimeter to see that there is 24 volts on it (well, 23.9 to
> be exact).
>
> I'm guessing that the lever-action switch is simply defective and in
> need of replacement. However, is there something I ought to be looking
> for or considering before I run out and buy a replacement switch? Any
> thoughts and/or advice will be appreciated.
>
> Thanks!

A/C on a "long extension cord" is a fire waiting to happen...



Posted by Nate Nagel on August 3, 2008, 8:00 pm


The Postman wrote:
>
>>I don't know a lot about house wiring. My wife and I moved into a
>>house a couple of years ago and are essentially trying to learn as we
>>go.
>>
>>We have an air conditioner in our bedroom. Next to the air conditioner
>>is a wall outlet, but the wall outlet is dead (both the top and bottom
>>receptacles) and we've had to power the air conditioner via a long
>>extension cord. It would be much better to be able to power the AC via
>>the outlet that's right next to it, but I'm not entirely sure what's
>>wrong with that outlet.
>>
>>It looks to me like the outlet is powered by a lever-action wall
>>switch. This sort of arrangement is present in a couple of other rooms
>>in our house...and the wall switch doesn't seem to be powering
>>anything *else* at the moment. However, assuming this is correct, no
>>power is reaching the wall outlet, no matter what position the switch
>>is in. I know because I have tested it. Power *is* present at the wall
>>switch, though. I know because I pulled the switch out of the wall and
>>used a multimeter to see that there is 24 volts on it (well, 23.9 to
>>be exact).
>>
>>I'm guessing that the lever-action switch is simply defective and in
>>need of replacement. However, is there something I ought to be looking
>>for or considering before I run out and buy a replacement switch? Any
>>thoughts and/or advice will be appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>
> A/C on a "long extension cord" is a fire waiting to happen...
>
>

This too. I'd make sure that the cord is AT LEAST 14AWG preferably
12AWG and as short as possible. most are 16AWG max.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Posted by Doug Brown on August 4, 2008, 8:55 am



>> A/C on a "long extension cord" is a fire waiting to happen...
>>
>>
>
> This too. I'd make sure that the cord is AT LEAST 14AWG preferably 12AWG
> and as short as possible. most are 16AWG max.
>
> nate
>
> --
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
> http://members.cox.net/njnagel

And this has helped the OP's problem how?



Posted by N8N on August 4, 2008, 9:09 am


> >> A/C on a "long extension cord" is a fire waiting to happen...
>
> > This too. =A0I'd make sure that the cord is AT LEAST 14AWG preferably 1=
2AWG
> > and as short as possible. =A0most are 16AWG max.
>
> > nate
>
> > --
> > replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
> >http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
> And this has helped the OP's problem how?


um, by making him aware of a potential problem and a solution, before
his house catches on fire?

it was more helpful than *your* post, anyway.

nate

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