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re: Question for OT electricians (change light switch to duplex outlet) ETA: Image added
Posted on 6/30/20 at 1:31 pm to jlovel7
Posted on 6/30/20 at 1:31 pm to jlovel7
quote:
I assume the light on the back porch. It’s been burnt out since I’ve lived there and I’ve never needed it so I never replaced it. I need to put the switch back together and replace bulb to confirm there’s power going to it
You need to figure out what else is on that circuit, because if you are putting an ice make and deep freeze on that one plug you'll probably just trip the breaker.
1
Posted on 6/30/20 at 1:51 pm to Gee Grenouille
quote:
'm stopping the job here man. Is the breaker open and have you confirmed there is no power? Co-workers son got electrocuted at home last month. Spend the money on a service call if you aren't sure.
Lol yes I can confirm no power. I cut the power to the entire apartment when I was working on it.
Posted on 6/30/20 at 1:52 pm to kengel2
quote:
You need to figure out what else is on that circuit, because if you are putting an ice make and deep freeze on that one plug you'll probably just trip the breaker.
What is the best way to do that?
Posted on 6/30/20 at 2:12 pm to jlovel7
Look at the panel and see if its labeled. Turn everything on, and then shut the breaker off. Get a receptacle tester and non contact voltage tester. Put the receptacle tester in the receptacles and see which ones are still on.
Or hire an electrician.
Or hire an electrician.
Posted on 6/30/20 at 2:14 pm to CoachChappy
quote:
That light may have been wired woth 10 gauge wire. For the load you plan on putting on it, you may want to run 12 all the way back to the circuit breaker or the junction box.
Did you mean to say 14 gauge instead of 10?
Posted on 6/30/20 at 2:40 pm to mctiger1985
quote:
Did you mean to say 14 gauge instead of 10?
Crap
Yes, I meant 14.Posted on 6/30/20 at 5:31 pm to YF12
quote:
Black always to brass/gold/black terminal
Neutral to usually silver
Ground to well ground
Edit: The other set is running to whatever you are switching on/off so dont worry about it
Bumped for added image to OP.
Posted on 6/30/20 at 7:33 pm to jlovel7
You sure that wasn't a 3 way switch?
Looks like you have a hot, neutral and a traveler. The other two are either the feed for the 3 way or supplying another outlet or switch on the circuit.
I also don't see a ground in the picture.
Looks like you have a hot, neutral and a traveler. The other two are either the feed for the 3 way or supplying another outlet or switch on the circuit.
I also don't see a ground in the picture.
This post was edited on 6/30/20 at 7:39 pm
Posted on 6/30/20 at 9:11 pm to jlovel7
To the left, that is a 14/3 or 12/3 wire, right is 12/2 or 14/2. You need to know which is incoming hot which I am sure the 12/2 wires are and you need to know what the 12/3 wires feed before you go anywhere with that. 
Oh, that 12/3 or 14/3. The black and red wires are a feed to the hot or feed back hot with the white as neutral.
Oh, that 12/3 or 14/3. The black and red wires are a feed to the hot or feed back hot with the white as neutral.
This post was edited on 6/30/20 at 9:13 pm
Posted on 7/1/20 at 2:04 pm to jlovel7
Let me start by telling you what I see. Pulled to the right of the box, I see a black and a white (discolored) 12/2 or 14/2 and pulled to the left of the box, I see a black, a red, and a white 12/3 or 14/3. I do not see a ground/bare copper wire anywhere in the photo.
You need to determine which wire is the line/comes from the source. You could do that by leaving the wires separated, flipping your breaker back on, and using a tester to see which wire is hot.
You either have a 3 way switch setup and the line power is coming from the black on the right side of the box OR the line power is coming from/through the light fixture j-box, black comes down to switch, red goes back up to light fixture and the white is the neutral to carry on the circuit to the white/black pair on the right that probably goes to a receptacle somewhere else.
If I wanted to add a receptacle at this location, I would cut out the metal box and get a 2 gang renovation/old work back box and reconnect the light switch exactly as it was before, run a black wire from the line side of the light switch to the receptacle and twist another white wire to the neutrals in the box and tie it to the receptacle.
That being said, it would concern me that there are no grounds and I would be hesitant to put an ice maker/freezer on that circuit without knowing if your circuit can handle the load on it. Also, I would not demo a light switch just because you do not use it. I do not know what your intentions are for the house in the future but someone might want to turn that light on/off.
Good luck.
You need to determine which wire is the line/comes from the source. You could do that by leaving the wires separated, flipping your breaker back on, and using a tester to see which wire is hot.
You either have a 3 way switch setup and the line power is coming from the black on the right side of the box OR the line power is coming from/through the light fixture j-box, black comes down to switch, red goes back up to light fixture and the white is the neutral to carry on the circuit to the white/black pair on the right that probably goes to a receptacle somewhere else.
If I wanted to add a receptacle at this location, I would cut out the metal box and get a 2 gang renovation/old work back box and reconnect the light switch exactly as it was before, run a black wire from the line side of the light switch to the receptacle and twist another white wire to the neutrals in the box and tie it to the receptacle.
That being said, it would concern me that there are no grounds and I would be hesitant to put an ice maker/freezer on that circuit without knowing if your circuit can handle the load on it. Also, I would not demo a light switch just because you do not use it. I do not know what your intentions are for the house in the future but someone might want to turn that light on/off.
Good luck.
Posted on 7/1/20 at 5:26 pm to bee Rye
quote:
Hey man, wtf. I wanted to see where this was going to go. 110 wouldn’t have killed him
Posted on 7/2/20 at 7:01 am to jlovel7
Looks to me like what you have is a three way switch without a permanent hot.
3-wire:
Red: Traveler
Black: Traveler
White: Incoming Neutral
2-wire:
Black: Switch leg to light (makes up on black "common" screw of switch.
White: Neutral to light (makes up to other white wire with a wire nut)
In other words, you ain't gonna be able to put a receptacle there.
3-wire:
Red: Traveler
Black: Traveler
White: Incoming Neutral
2-wire:
Black: Switch leg to light (makes up on black "common" screw of switch.
White: Neutral to light (makes up to other white wire with a wire nut)
In other words, you ain't gonna be able to put a receptacle there.
Posted on 7/3/20 at 8:56 am to LuckySo-n-So
quote:not true at all. I've done this in my attic.
In other words, you ain't gonna be able to put a receptacle there.
depending on the wiring, he can use those wires, or he can create a parallel circuit. I'm not clear if he's truly eliminating the switch or just adding to it.
OP needs to connect a constant hot wire to one side of the outlet and the neutral to the other side. Very simple and basic. Cover any unused wires or pull them and eliminate them.
Posted on 7/3/20 at 10:00 am to arcalades
quote:No, the OP needs an electrician. This isn't the place for amateur hour.
OP needs to connect a constant hot wire to one side of the outlet and the neutral to the other side
Posted on 7/3/20 at 10:04 am to jlovel7
quote:Do you own this apartment, or just renting?
apartment
Posted on 7/3/20 at 10:42 am to The Nino
quote:This. The fact that he doesn't even have the basic concept of what's going on here makes me worried about his safety.
the OP needs an electrician. This isn't the place for amateur hour
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