Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    g2man's Avatar
    g2man Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 2, 2009, 05:58 PM
    How to find what a light switch controls
    I moved into a house with phantom light switches. I took the switch plate off and the switch is connected to two black wires that pass through it - which is good - but for the life of me I cannot find the outlet or light that the switch controls. Any ideas?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 2, 2009, 07:45 PM

    Where is the switch, that is, what room? Is this a newly constructed or fairly new house?
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #3

    May 2, 2009, 07:49 PM

    Hi g2man

    Are there any other wires in switch box? If so, what are there colors and what are they doing?

    Where is switch located in house?

    Let us know and we may be able to help u

    Chuck
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    May 4, 2009, 09:02 PM

    Don't you hate this? I'm OCD I HAVE to know what every switch does! Usually it's a light that's burned out, wiring for a fan that doesn't exist, an outlet no one uses, or something outside.
    ohb0b's Avatar
    ohb0b Posts: 215, Reputation: 14
    Full Member
    		  
    #5

    May 4, 2009, 09:13 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ceilingfanrepair View Post
    Dont you hate this? I'm OCD I HAVE to know what every switch does! Usually it's a light that's burned out, wiring for a fan that doesnt exist, an outlet no one uses, or something outside.


    OR: There used to be a ceiling fixture in the room, but it has been taken down and the box plastered over.
    Missouri Bound's Avatar
    Missouri Bound Posts: 1,532, Reputation: 94
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    May 5, 2009, 07:57 PM
    Is there power at the switch?
    Does the switch work... meaning does it actually complete a circuit when switched on?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #7

    May 6, 2009, 05:12 AM

    I've seen new homes, particularly ones with 2 story foyers or high ceilings in " great rooms" come come wired for ceiling fan/lights. No fixture, just a bank of switches and a covered box in the ceiling.

    Guess g2man was just idly curious.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
    Uber Member
    		  
    #8

    May 6, 2009, 02:36 PM

    Or there is a fan wire inside one of the light boxes.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

1 Light Switch controls 2 lights-Want Separate swiches for each light. [ 2 Answers ]

I have a light switch that controls both the foyer and the front porch. I would like to separate this so that I have a separate switch for the front porch and the foyer as sometimes I would like to have the front porch light on without the beaming bright light in the foyer. The light switch has an...

Where to find 3-position switch to control two light fixtures [ 4 Answers ]

In the bathroom of a recently-remodeled hotel room I found what looked like a standard light switch but it had three positions. The 'down' position turned on only a single light fixture in the bathroom. The 'up' switch turned on all lights in the bathroom. There was also a middle position which...

Installing Switch to Control Ceiling Fan that Controls Outlet now [ 10 Answers ]

I have several rooms in my house that have outlets controlled by the only switch in the room. The ceiling fans are controlled only by the pull of the cord at the fan. I want to make the switch control the fan and light, and make the outlet live all the time. I am not sure how to setup the switch...

Change Pilot Light Switch with a Single-way Switch [ 1 Answers ]

It's worth noted that I am a complete novice, so please be patient with me. I want to replace an existing pilot light switch with a single-way lighted switch. The existing setup has four terminals (red wire, black wire, white wire, and ground wire). The red wire goes to the left, the black wire...

Electrical Switch that controls nothing [ 5 Answers ]

Trying to install some track lighting so decided to do some investigating. There is a light switch in the room that controls nothing in the house. I've tested every outlet on the circuit and no change. Opened it up and see that there are 3 wires. One white, one black, one red. The black and...

View more questions Search