Wiring question.

[ivwshane]

I currently have a switch controlled duplex receptacle that I want to change to a non switched controlled receptacle and use the switch to control a new ceiling light fixture.

Do I simply pig tail the two white wires (at the switch) and connect the two black wires to the switch (with the tab removed?) and pig tail the ground wires?

[crokett]

On the surface, yes but really need more info. Where does power come to presently? The switch or the receptacle?

[ivwshane]

The power comes from the receptacle and the switch is a single pole. Currently only one wire comes to the switch.

[Tom Slick]

We also need to know if it is a metal box or plastic.

[crokett]

The power comes from the receptacle and the switch is a single pole. Currently only one wire comes to the switch.

Ok...

At the receptacle

1. Connect the power in (black) directly to one of the brass-colored screws
2. Connect the wite from power in to the corresponding silver screw
3. Connect black from the switch to the other brass screw
4. Connect white from the switch to the corresponding silver screw
5. Cut the ground long enough to wrap around the screw on the receptacle and connect to the ground from the switch.

At the switch
1. Connect the black from the receptacle to one terminal
2. Connect the black from the light fixture to the other terminal
3. Connect the whites together and tape the white from the light with black tape to show it is hot switched.
4. Cut one ground long enough to wrap around the ground screw and connect the grounds together.

At the light
1. Black to black and white to white. wrap black tape around the white lead to show it is hot switched.

If any of the boxes are metal, they must also be attached to the ground wire. You can pigtail these or the ground connections can be made with green wirenuts that have the hole in the top.

For my wire-to-wire connections I use crimps. More secure and take up less room than wire nuts. You do have to tape the non-ground connections though. If the tabs on the receptacle are broken, let me know.

[ivwshane]

Thanks!

All boxes appear to be fiberglass.

I plan on replacing the receptacles as well (they are tan and I want white) so the tabs wont be broken (unless I should break them).


Now just to be clear, with this configuration the receptacle will now always be live?

[crokett]

Now just to be clear, with this configuration the receptacle will now always be live?

Yes. Power comes into the receptacle and goes from there to the switch. The receptacle is not switched - it is hooked to the power in parallel with the switch.

[ivwshane]

Thanks again!

All the diagrams I saw had the light coming off of the receptacle which seemed like a waste as well as a space killer.

[crokett]

You can take the light off the receptacle, but why? You already have a wire going from the receptacle to the switch, you might as well use it.

[Crash2510]

simple answer tie the two wires on the switch together

[siliconbauhaus]

For my wire-to-wire connections I use crimps.

What sort of crimps mate ?

[crokett]

What sort of crimps mate ?

These:

You can find them in the home centers. With practice, quicker (I think) than wire nuts and a whole lot more secure. Also take up a lot less room in the box. Only disadvantage is if you want to change connections you have to cut them off. Also, any non-ground splices must be taped.

You use this tool to put them on.

[LarryG]

Also, any non-ground splices must be taped.

You mean you don't tape wire nuts, too (if you ever use them)?

[crokett]

You mean you don't tape wire nuts, too (if you ever use them)?

I did when I used them. I'm not even sure I own any now. However I've also seen them not taped. My point was using a crimp requires the tape for insulation. Using a wire nut does not, unless you want to make sure it doesn't fall off.

[LarryG]

However I've also seen them not taped.

I failed to include a smiley with my post. To Tape or Not To Tape? is one of those endless, Coke/Pepsi, Ford/Chevy type debates among electricians, along with whether it's necessary to twist the wires before installing the wire nut.

(I understood your point about the insulation.)