[pastor1189]

Is it possible to tap into an electrical switch? To give power to a new outlet. There is no power source close by, except at this switch.

[ma0641]

Maybe, maybe not. Remove the switch plate and the switch and tell us what and how many wires are in the box. Is a white wire on the switch, perhaps marked with black tape? If so, no, that is a switch loop and no neutral so no. If there are bundled white wires an black wires through the switch, possibly so. Let us know what you find.

[donf]

Hi Pastor,

Given the age of your property I doubt very much this would be possible. A receptacle needs both Power (Black) and Return (Neutral/White) because it is part of a complete circuit. Power comes into the receptacle is used by the device plugged into the receptacle and the unused portion of the power returns back to the circuit.

Switches interrupt the Power Source only. They do not use the "Neutral". Power is routed from the source to the switch and then back to the device that needs the power.

The NEC currently requires that all switch outlets have a Neutral present in the box, even if it is capped off. This is because there are so many specialty switches that now require the Neutral.

Previously, if a Neutral was required at a switch outlet the bare ground would be used, but that put current on an uninsulated wire which is a serious fire exposure.

[Stratmando]

One way to do this if it was a switch loop and No Neutral, is to, go to the light and wire so it is live all the time, reidentify the switch wire to a Neutral wire, and install receptacle in that switchbox or extend to further location. Then have the light controlled by a pull chain or other switch. Good Luck

[Stratmando]

What did you Figure? Thanks