I am completing a basement remodeling and am reaching the point where I'm about to install drywall. At the last minute, I realized I should add a switched outlet (both receptacles will be controlled by a single switch) at a location in my rec room. I installed the two gang boxes and ran cable from the new receptacle box to the switch box, and the switch box to an existing box (receptacle) on an existing circuit.

That's when I realized I didn't know what I was doing.

If I simply connected the hot cables from the new (switched) outlet and the cable from the old receptacle, and connected the two neutrals to each other, I think that all power to all receptacles on that circuit would switch off when the switch was off. That is definitley NOT what I want.

It seems like it should be simple but I'm just not sure how to do it. I guess what I want to do is create a branch or secondary circuit consisting of only this one receptacle.

Any help would be appreciated.

Also, is it allowed to use 12-guage cable in the "new" portion of this circuit? That's all I have on hand, but the existing poritons of the circuit are all 14 gauge.

Sounds like you need to run an additional cable to where you want it switched.
You can use # 12 with the #14, but needs to remain on a 15 amp bresker.

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Originally Posted by Stratmando

Sounds like you need to run an additional cable to where you want it switched.
You can use # 12 with the #14, but needs to remain on a 15 amp bresker.

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Thanks, Stratmando. Could you explain a little more about how the connections need to be made? I can run cable anywhere I want, really. I'm just not sure what to connect to what.

This is actually pretty simple and it sounds like you have the cables run where they need to be.

In the new receptacle box(the one you want switched) connect the black to the brass colored screw, white to the silver colored screw, and the bare to the green screw.

In the switch box, connect the bare wires together with a short piece of wire from the green screw on the switch. Connect the white wires together. Connect each black wire to a screw on the switch.

In the receptacle box you are getting power from connect the bare to bare, white to white, black to black.

James,

This not as simple as Codyman leads you to believe. First, I suggest that the last thing you do is connect to the live receptacle. When you are ready for this connection to be made, shut the breaker off for this circuit prior to making your connections. Note your breaker size. If it is a 20 amp breaker, then you must use 12 AWG conductors. If it is 15 amp, then you can use 12AWG or 14 AWC conductors. I'd use 14 AWG on a 15 amp line.

Where are you going to draw power to feed the switch and then the two switched receptacles?

If you are planning on using an existing outlet in the same room, then you must begin at that outlet.

If the receptacle is the last in the circuit, you will be able to connect the new cable directly to the silver and dark screws on the receptacle. However, if the receptacle is in the middle, you must build a pigtail to connect two blacks together and one short wire to the darker screw. The same for the white (silver) screw and connect the equipment grounding conductors together.

Run the new cable over to your switch. Connect Black to the lower screw post.

Now run your new receptacle cable from the switch to the first receptacle in the new string. Connect the Black to the upper screw of the switch. Connect the two white conductors together. Pigtail the two equipment grounding conductors together and connect to the green screw on the switch. At the first receptacle, connect Black to the upper dark screw on the receptacle, connect white to to the upper silver screw. Hold off on the bare EGC for a minute. Run the cable for the second receptacle from the outlet box you are working on to the next box.

Connect the black to the lower dark screw, the white to the lower silver screw. Pigtail the two bare EGCs to the green screw on the first receptacle.

On the last receptacle, connect black to the upper dark screw. White to the Upper silver screw and the bare EGC to the green screw.

Personally, I like to build my new circuit first and verify the operation of the switch by using a volt/ohm meter to test for continuity before I make the connections to the receptacle that will be supplying the power.


Then I turn the power to that circuit off, make the final connection and verify the operation of the circuit with the meter set to voltage.