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View Full Version : Jumper to single pole switch


mgewin
Jun 18, 2012, 07:00 PM
I've installed a single pole switch to a three gang outlet to power some bar lights. I had to break the tab on the first outlet so that I could run a single wire to the switch. I jumped the input power from a nearby dimmer, and it works, but the dimmer dimmed the outlet box too. I have another outlet nearby, but I'm afraid that powering the switch from there, or any junction box, will end up being switched too. How do I get (jumped) power ONLY coming to my switch without causing the switch to switch the "other" junction box too? I shouldn't need to go to fuse box (I hope). I want to switch the new three gang only, without switching the box that I'm jumping from. How do I do this?

jerro
Jun 19, 2012, 02:50 PM
What do you mean by 3 gang outlet? Did the outlet already have power to it before you decided to put it on a switch?

stanfortyman
Jun 19, 2012, 07:32 PM
I've installed a single pole switch to a three gang outlet to power some bar lights. I had to break the tab on the first outlet so that I could run a single wire to the switch. I jumped the input power from a nearby dimmer, and it works, but the dimmer dimmed the outlet box too. I have another outlet nearby, but I'm afraid that powering the switch from there, or any junction box, will end up being switched too. How do I get (jumped) power ONLY coming to my switch without causing the switch to switch the "other" junction box too? I shouldn't need to go to fuse box (I hope). I want to switch the new three gang only, without switching the box that I'm jumping from. How do I do this?I'm sorry, but IH ave no idea what you are describing here. You keep using the word jumper and jumped, but these terms mean something different that what you mean I think.

Can you possibly post pics of these boxes?

mgewin
Jun 19, 2012, 07:44 PM
I'm adding a 3 gang (6 plug) outlet to power some low voltage bar lights. It's in the closet behind my bar. I wanted a switch on the wall on the ouside of the closet where all of the bar light plugs are, that wouldpower up the 6-plug. My intentions were to jump hot power from a dimmer right there that powers my overhead light. I wired up the 3-gang with the hot from the dimmer, but when I dimmed the dimmer, it dimmed the whole thing (light and 6-gang). It's got me stumped how to keep the switch directly switching only the 6-gang, not the junction that I'm jumping from.

jerro
Jun 20, 2012, 03:46 PM
2 things you need to have and know before you can power the recepts to a switch. 1. which line to your dimmer is the constant hot line and 2. Do you have a neutral in that box to connect that would connect to the recepts. A lot of times a junction box will have only 2 wires in it. The constant hot line and the switched load line and does not have a neutral wire in it.

mgewin
Jun 23, 2012, 07:39 AM
The supply box has a 3-wire Romex. One hot, one neutral, and a bare ground wire. I'd like to disconnect from the plug it's on, and tie together with a hot and a neutral to my new box. After the experience with the dimmer, I'm thinking that the switch will switch off both boxes.

mgewin
Jun 23, 2012, 10:11 AM
I'll try to take power off the unused silver and brass screws on the sides of the existing plug and go to the new switch. If the switch turns off/on both plugs, I need to do something different...