Wiring?

[RJD2]

I am building a display cabinet, and want to add a surface mounted switch on the outside of the cabinet to control a light plugged into an outlet on the inside of the cabinet. I would appreciate some assistance on wiring it. Thanks.

[cabinetman]

I am building a display cabinet, and want to add a surface mounted switch on the outside of the cabinet to control a light plugged into an outlet on the inside of the cabinet. I would appreciate some assistance on wiring it. Thanks.

It's a simple hookup, as the switch interrupts only one of the wires on a two wire line. I've used a small toggle switch like this that fits into a rectangular hole. I've also used a wireless remote controller for either a dimmer, or on/off. With that, you can hide all the wiring and you have no visible switch.

.

[RJD2]

Thanks. I was making it more complicated than it needed to be.

[DaveSur]

We have a display cabinet with a touch dimmer switch. You can mount the touch pad in an inconspicuous place and you have three stage lighting in addition to on - off. Just a thought.

[woodturner]

I am building a display cabinet, and want to add a surface mounted switch on the outside of the cabinet to control a light plugged into an outlet on the inside of the cabinet. I would appreciate some assistance on wiring it. Thanks.

I assume the switch you will use is already in an NEC-approved box? All wiring and connections must be in NEC-approved boxes. Boxes and covers are available at any hardware, big box, or electrical supply store.

There are three wires - a white neutral, a black "hot", and a bare or green ground. The grounds are all connected together. If you are using a single pole switch, the white wires can be connected together, or wired through one side of the switch for a double pole switch. For both switches, the black wires are wired through the conact on the switch.

It's not simple, but it's not that complicated, either.

If you will say a little more about what you are wiring up and what switch you are using, we can provide more specific information.

[jdon]

If you want to avoid the hassle of mounting a box, switch, etc in your display case, an alternative might be an in-line rotary switch like this. Not elegant, but sufficient for a low wattage situation like this.

[cabinetman]

There are three wires - a white neutral, a black "hot", and a bare or green ground. The grounds are all connected together. If you are using a single pole switch, the white wires can be connected together, or wired through one side of the switch for a double pole switch. For both switches, the black wires are wired through the conact on the switch.

It's not simple, but it's not that complicated, either.

It is simple unless made complicated. Household lighting fixtures use primarily an
18/2 SPT-2 AWG. which is a two wire, not a three wire.

.

[LarryG]

Household lighting fixtures use primarily an
18/2 SPT-2 AWG. which is a two wire, not a three wire.

He's not switching a "household lighting fixture" (whatever that is, in this context -- a lamp?). Read the OP: he's switching an outlet. To comply with the NEC, the switch and the outlet must be grounded, which requires the third wire.

[woodturner]

If you want to avoid the hassle of mounting a box, switch, etc in your display case, an alternative might be an in-line rotary switch like this. Not elegant, but sufficient for a low wattage situation like this.

That's a good option and avoids the complications of wiring in a safe and legal way.

Depending on what the OP has in mind, he may also be able to buy a light fixture with the switch already installed. If he can get a commercially available light fixture with switch in the style he wants, that may be the best option.

[cabinetman]

He's not switching a "household lighting fixture" (whatever that is, in this context -- a lamp?). Read the OP: he's switching an outlet. To comply with the NEC, the switch and the outlet must be grounded, which requires the third wire.

I did read the OP...did you? His words are below, saying he wants to control a light plugged into an outlet on the inside of the cabinet. The outlet could already be there. He's not asking how to switch the outlet.

I am building a display cabinet, and want to add a surface mounted switch on the outside of the cabinet to control a light plugged into an outlet on the inside of the cabinet. I would appreciate some assistance on wiring it. Thanks.

.

[woodturner]

Read the OP: he's switching an outlet.

Given that the outlet is inside the cabinet, and he says he is building the cabinet, that certainly seems like the only accurate interpretation of the OPs words.

It would be best, though, if the OP explains in a bit more detail what he has in mind, so we can make sure we are answering the question he asked.

[sscherin]

I saw some china cabinets a few years ago with touch light controllers..
rather than a pad they had the touch sense wire hooked to one of the top hinges..

Touch the hinge and the lights come one.. Nice clean setup if you have exposed hinges.