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I recently moved to an apartment with no ceiling lights. All wall switches are wired to a specific outlet in each room. Unfortunately, the switch each one controls is in the worst possible location and I can't do any re-wiring.

Is there ANYTHING like what I'm about to describe?

I would like to plug a device to the outlet controlled by the switch and plug a second device to a better located outlet of my choosing. A lamp will be connected to the second device. When I turn the switch on, the first device will send an "ON" signal to the second device which will in turn power up the lamp hooked to it.

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  • Hello, and welcome to Stack Exchange. Interesting question, but it may be off-topic here, as it's a product recommendation request.
    – Daniel Griscom
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 11:52
  • There are various WiFi enabled switched receptacle boxes that may help you, except they are controlled by a smartphone app instead of a switch.
    – Connor Bredin
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 13:48
  • @DanielGriscom I think it is more a question of is it possible, and how would I do it rather than which should I buy or where.
    – bib
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 14:05
  • Or just run extension cords along the baseboard, if that's mostly out of sight behind furniture.
    – Carl Witthoft
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 19:14
  • Well, many of the smart devices can ALSO talk to each other via WiFi or data over power, with no phone/tablet involved.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Commented Dec 6, 2016 at 23:40

1 Answer 1

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You need a wireless switch/outlet combination.

There are three basic approaches:

  • switch in electric box (powered by line voltage - requires some wiring)
  • switch with battery on mounting bracket or loose on table
  • smart phone/tablet controlled outlet (no separate switch)

In each case, there is an outlet module that plugs into a standard, always on outlet of your choice. The module is powered or not, depending on the signal received from the remote switch or smart device.

These are available in a number of configurations from numerous sources and are fairly cheap. Search wireless switch outlet. An example of a battery operated switch is illustrated below. wireless switch

The latter two choices will not use the existing switch or switched outlet. You could use a restricted cover plate to avoid having people try the unused old switch and mount the new wireless switch nearby.

While there may be a transmitter/receiver pair that both plug into outlets, this seems like an unusual configuration, will be harder to find and will likely cost a good bit more

 Images and links are illustrative only, not an endorsement of goods or sources.
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