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    statechamp171's Avatar
    statechamp171 Posts: 19, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 29, 2010, 04:03 PM
    How do I wire a light switch and a receptacle in the same box
    I need to know how to configure the following wiring scenerio:

    I have a 14/2 wire coming from the MAIN into the first receptacle in a finished basement room. A second wire went from this receptacle to the next receptacle. It was configured BLACK IN/BLACK OUT/BLACK PIGTAIL TO RECEPTACLE (BRASS), AND WHITE IN/WHITE OUT/WHITE PIGTAIL TO RECEPTACLE (SILVER)

    I want to add a light switch to control a new light in the room. So now I have 1 line in from MAIN , 1 line out to LIGHT, 1 line out to the next recptacle and 1 RECPTACLE AND 1 SWITCH in the current double gang box.

    How to configure so light can go on and off but receptacle is always HOT. (diagrams please)
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Apr 29, 2010, 04:14 PM

    Hk is good with the diagrams, but you need a cable to your switch(black/white) connect another black white to those 2 for a nother receptacle and also from that switch box, a cable to your light.
    In the switch box, all whites tie together, the black that goes to the light, identify with tape, or make a loop in the wire to identify as the switched leg and will connect to the switch.
    The other 2 blacks( feed from current power, and your additional get connected together, and with a pigtail which connects to the other terminal on the switch.
    It is understood all grounds tie together.
    statechamp171's Avatar
    statechamp171 Posts: 19, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Apr 29, 2010, 04:45 PM

    Can you use these abbreviations if you can't show a diagram.

    Pigtail (P.)

    P. BLACK
    P. WHITE


    OUT to next Receptacle (O.R.)

    O.R. BLACK
    O.R. WHITE


    RECPTACLE (R.)

    R. BRASS
    R. SILVER

    HOT IN FROM MAIN (M.)

    M. BLACK
    M. WHITE

    SWITCH (S.)

    S. BRASS 1
    S. BRASS 2

    LINE OUT TO LIGHT (L.)

    L. BLACK
    L. WHITE
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #4

    Apr 29, 2010, 05:04 PM

    If I understand correctly, you want to add a light switch next to an outlet in a 2 gang box.
    Post back if I have misunderstood.
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    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #5

    Apr 29, 2010, 05:09 PM

    HK, you for got the abbreviations. :D LOL

    Nice drawings once again. It is incredibly nice of you to go through the trouble of custom drawing these for folks.

    I hope they appreciate that these are all drawn by hand (computer) and not some stock diagrams.
    There are no such thing as stock wiring diagrams for this type of thing.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #6

    Apr 29, 2010, 05:16 PM

    Thanks Stan. It's not that I'm a nice guy, it's just that I never learned to read and write, so I have to draw pictures.
    statechamp171's Avatar
    statechamp171 Posts: 19, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Apr 29, 2010, 05:32 PM

    YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!

    Better to use wire nuts or at the outlet (1st or 2nd diagram)

    I am assuming by using dia 1 if either applainace goes out the rest of the circuit will continue to work but if I use dia 2 and one of the appliances fails the circuit will not work? Correct or not?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #8

    Apr 29, 2010, 05:39 PM

    That is correct, your preference.
    statechamp171's Avatar
    statechamp171 Posts: 19, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Apr 29, 2010, 06:26 PM

    Works like a charm
    dyi stew's Avatar
    dyi stew Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Jun 28, 2012, 06:15 AM
    I have an older wired bathroom I want to wire a light switch and outlet in the same box how do I do that?the wires come in black and white.. I want it in a double box. Switch next to a wall outlet receptical then going to a light
    Thank you,
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #11

    Jun 28, 2012, 10:17 AM
    If you have two cables (black and white in each cable) you can do that. If you have only one cable (only one black and white wire) you can't. If you have only one black and one white you have a switch loop. There is no neutral at the switch box. One wire (white) brings power from the light box to the switch. It is connected to the wire bring power to the light box. The other wire (black) takes the power back to the light box and is connected to the light itself.

    In this situation you need 3 wires between the light and the switch box to have an outlet next to the switch.
    One to come, one to go and one for a neutral for the outlet.
    Kyle_in_rure's Avatar
    Kyle_in_rure Posts: 341, Reputation: 10
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    #12

    Jun 28, 2012, 08:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by dyi stew View Post
    I have an older wired bathroom i want to wire a light switch and outlet in the same box how do i do that?the wires come in black and white..I want it in a double box. switch next to a wall outlet receptical then going to a light
    thank you,
    If this is a single cable coming from the light, you probably won't be able to do this, because this is simply the wire switching the light fixture.
    grant01's Avatar
    grant01 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #13

    Nov 17, 2012, 10:40 PM
    I just followed your instructions for the receptacle and switch installation.
    These are the best instructions I've seen after so much time lost in looking for answers.
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