Changing a switch to an outlet May 25, 2023, 03:09:43 pm First off I want to apologize if this isn't strictly a lazy daze oriented topic and please delete if it's not appropriate but I know there's a lot of smart people here, smarter than me and I could sure use a little help.I want to replace this home wall light switch with a GFI outlet.I've tested and the red wire grounded to the white wire and it is the only one showing ac voltage.My assumption is the black wire is the send wire when the switch is in the on position?Can I just cap that black wire and use the red and white wire for my new outlet?Thanks
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #1 – May 25, 2023, 04:48:48 pm That doesn't sound right. I'm no electrician, but typically the red wire should be the "switched" wire. Normally, I think you should see voltage between the black and white wires, which would be the ones to use for the outlet. Not counting the green (or maybe bare) ground wire. I would check voltages again.Rich 1 Likes
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #2 – May 25, 2023, 05:09:01 pm I just looked at your pictures. Is the thing that that switch controled, controled by another switch in addition to this one? If so, forget what I said. Under normal circumstances I woulld have expected a fourth wire, probably white going to the lamp or whatever. I'm not sure how you would proceed if that's the case. Maybe others can help.Rich
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #3 – May 25, 2023, 05:10:06 pm Quote from: Rich Gort - May 25, 2023, 04:48:48 pmThat doesn't sound right. I'm no electrician, but typically the red wire should be the "switched" wire. Normally, I think you should see voltage between the black and white wires, which would be the ones to use for the outlet. Not counting the green (or maybe bare) ground wire. I would check voltages again.RichUpon further review it looks like you are correct.Thank you Rich.
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #4 – May 25, 2023, 05:28:09 pm Hi Ted; In residential wiring, the red wire is a secondary 'hot' wire for three way switches. Usually an upstairs/downstairs switch to control a light. Sometimes a switch (one of two) at the entrance to a room and exit to have a light turned on or off as you pass through a hallway or room. And the switch pair or trio can control an outlet for a plugged in floor lamp also. The other switch can be kept as the main switch. The second switch wiring can be 'Safed off'. Possibly it could be turned into an outlet, but would likely run afoul of National wiring standards, and if not done Exactly correctly and inspected by a government agency, could be lethal, or present a fire hazard. Also; it is out of bounds here. RonB
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #5 – May 25, 2023, 05:32:39 pm Quote from: RonB - May 25, 2023, 05:28:09 pmHi Ted; In residential wiring, the red wire is a secondary 'hot' wire for three way switches. Usually an upstairs/downstairs switch to control a light. Sometimes a switch (one of two) at the entrance to a room and exit to have a light turned on or off as you pass through a hallway or room. And the switch pair or trio can control an outlet for a plugged in floor lamp also. The other switch can be kept as the main switch. The second switch wiring can be 'Safed off'. Possibly it could be turned into an outlet, but would likely run afoul of National wiring standards, and if not done Exactly correctly and inspected by a government agency, could be lethal, or present a fire hazard. Also; it is out of bounds here. RonBThanks Ron that's what I'm thinking too.The odd part of this is that this isn't in a hallway and this is just a single switch on my garage wall that I have no idea where it goes.
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #6 – May 25, 2023, 05:41:29 pm Quote from: RonB - May 25, 2023, 05:28:09 pmHi Ted; In residential wiring, the red wire is a secondary 'hot' wire for three way switches. Usually an upstairs/downstairs switch to control a light. Sometimes a switch (one of two) at the entrance to a room and exit to have a light turned on or off as you pass through a hallway or room. And the switch pair or trio can control an outlet for a plugged in floor lamp also. The other switch can be kept as the main switch. The second switch wiring can be 'Safed off'. Possibly it could be turned into an outlet, but would likely run afoul of National wiring standards, and if not done Exactly correctly and inspected by a government agency, could be lethal, or present a fire hazard. Also; it is out of bounds here. RonBOkay my bad. I figured it out. It's the garage light I have two switches to control it.
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #7 – May 25, 2023, 06:29:03 pm It looked like a 3 way switch to me. 3 way wiring confuses me some but I don't think you are a good candidate for an outlet at all unless you could trace everything back to the unswitched power source and go from there.Jon 1 Likes
Re: Changing a switch to an outlet Reply #8 – May 26, 2023, 01:11:18 am Thank you everyone for the replies I really appreciate it.I did end up figuring out how this works but in reality I decided to not add an outlet on to this circuit after all for fear of overloading the circuit.Again thanks for all the help.