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View Full Version : How do I wire a light switch and a receptacle in the same box


statechamp171
Apr 29, 2010, 04:03 PM
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
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
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
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.

stanfortyman
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
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
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
Apr 29, 2010, 05:39 PM
That is correct, your preference.

statechamp171
Apr 29, 2010, 06:26 PM
Works like a charm

dyi stew
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
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
Jun 28, 2012, 08:32 PM
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
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.