I want to put an outside GFCI and was wondering if I could pull power from the switch. The switch has three light switches. It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches. Can I pigtail off those and run down the wall to my GFCI I plan on installing? Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.

No.


Switches only interrupt the hot or ungrounded conductor. To install a receptacle,you must have both the Neutral and Hot conductors as well as a ground conductor.

Don, isn't the OP saying he does have a neutral? " I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together."

I do not see any problem with your plan:


I want to put an outside GFCI and was wondering if I could pull power from the switch. The switch has three light switches.

It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches.

Can I pigtail off those and run down the wall to my GFCI I plan on installing?

Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.

Providing these splices are delivering 120 volts, unswitched, with a neutral, which appears is what you have.

Be aware of what is currently on the circuit your tapping into, and the load that will be applied. The exterior GFI receptacle can be used for power tools, xmas lights, etc. up to a certain point. Without knowing the existing load, unable to advise what the maximum load on the new outlet could be without tripping the circuit breaker, which should be 15 amp, based on the #14 wire.

Bob,

The OP says nothing about Neutral wires.

"The switch has three light switches. It is 14-2 wiring and I checked that there is power coming in and three blacks are wire nutted together leading to the individual switches"

Also, I do have the white neutral wires that are all wire nutted together.

Time to see the optometrist Don.

Bob,

Or at the very least, it might be wise for me to read the entire post! Where oh wherearemy glasses?

So does anyone know where Don and mine posts went?

Yep, did a cleanup that cluttered the thread.