Questions tagged [switch]
For questions about switches, i.e. electrical devices used to manually open and close an electric circuit on a routine basis.
1,485
questions
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1answer
49 views
Why aren't my switched outlets switched?
I recently bought a 1951 home. There is a switch in the living room that appears to have been intended to control one or more outlets in the room (the switch affects no lights and all lights are ...
7
votes
2answers
944 views
How do I install a light socket in the middle of a power line with a switch?
I am replacing a light fixture in the middle of a circuit. Power flows into the fixture from the circuit breaker and out of the fixture to other lights and whatnot. There's also a switch attached. I ...
0
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1answer
52 views
What's going on with this switched outlet wiring in the middle of a run?
Help me figure out what's going on here and come up with a way to turn this into a half-switched outlet?
I have a late 1940's house, and some of the circuits are not grounded. I recently replaced all ...
0
votes
3answers
37 views
How to control 120V power outlet with low voltage
I would like to power a 120V attic fan every time my AC comes on. The low voltage wire connecting the thermostat with the compressor (to control the compressor) runs through the attic (as the ...
1
vote
1answer
23 views
How to wire two switches to control bathroom fan/light combo (only two 12/2 cables in receptacle)?
My bathroom has a light/fan combo fixture. The wall receptacle previously had:
Single pole switch to control the light (on/off)
Single pole switch to control the fan (on/off)
Mechanical timer switch ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Light switch won't turn off after fitting a new light bulb [duplicate]
Thought installing a cheap "smart" light bulb would be a harmless operation. Here's what I did:
With the light switch off, removed the old light bulb
Installed a new light bulb and flick ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Turn 6-wire outlet into 2 GFCI outlets
This question is not for the faint of heart.
I want to know if I can turn an old outlet on a multi-wire branch circuit (MWBC) into 1 or 2 GFCI outlets.
My house was built in 1970 and has a MWBC in the ...
0
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1answer
25 views
location of pressure switch
Is it really important where pressure switch is located. My entire system is in a very small crawl space with no electric nearby and switch is at well head about 65 feet away. I was told this will ...
2
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2answers
173 views
Can I install 3-way switches using two 14/2 cables with another switch for a separate light?
There are 2 boxes. Box 1 has the source power and box 2 has an unrelated second switch and fixture. Here is a diagram of what I am working with. Is it possible to have a 3-way using this setup?
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Which wire goes to which terminal on this single pole switch?
I have a simple light switch I want to get hooked up but not 100% sure if it will work. The switch has 1 brass screw on each side and 1 green screw. I read that the black/red wire should go to the ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Old and unused power outlet
I have this old and unused hole that I believe was for an outlet or a light switch (bought a house with this capped with plastic). I also have a few old phone Jacks. I plan on removing the phone Jacks ...
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vote
2answers
70 views
How to debug a light fixture that is no longer working
I changed out the switch on the light fixture in my bathroom, and the fixture no longer works. Prior to my changing the switch, both the old switch and the fixture worked fine. I'm trying to figure ...
0
votes
1answer
78 views
Is there an “inside box” switch (for smart lighting)
I recently bought some smart recessed lights (with smart dimmer) for the kitchen. The smart lighting system requires the power supply to the lights always remain on. Rather than placing the smart ...
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vote
0answers
34 views
Convert Single Gang to Dual Gang for Ceiling Light/Fan Fixture
I’m resurrecting a question I asked a couple months back, but now I have pictures that should hopefully help illustrate what I’m asking. Thank you for the preliminary responses, hopefully now this ...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
How do I switch this old NZ 3 gang light switch to a modern smart switch?
I am trying to switch over an existing NZ three gang over to a smart switch. In the old wire colour code, my understanding is that red is live, black is neutral, and green is ground.
I have already ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
How do I troubleshoot 2 light switches in the same box with 4 black (hot) wires?
I opened up my bathroom light switch and fan box to replace the switches. The light is for overhead and the fan is a standard bathroom fan.
Inside the box I found 4 sets of wires (1 black, 1 white, 1 ...
0
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2answers
49 views
A light switch shows power going to it when in the off position
A light switch shows power going into it when in the off position. When switched on, the light comes on but the tester shows no power going into the switch.
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3answers
93 views
Right transfer switch for connecting small generator to a 100amp service?
I got a little 3,300 generator for Christmas, and I'm looking at transfer switches so I can plug it into my house.
I won't be able to power the whole home, but even limited power is better than no ...
1
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0answers
59 views
Light switch not working when grounded
I have a light switch connected to a split outlet (one always hot, other controlled by light switch) that appears not to work when the switch is grounded. To be clear, the switch no longer routes ...
3
votes
4answers
813 views
How can I safely leave my air compressor on at all times?
I have a small 1HP air compressor - Rolair JC10 Plus 2.5 Gal.
It would be very convenient to leave it plugged into AC power at all times so that any time I use it, if I bleed it down it will kick in ...
1
vote
2answers
33 views
Both 3-Way Switches Upstream of Multiple Split Receptacles
My living room has a series of two outlets that I would like to convert to split receptacles, with the top half always live and the bottom half controlled by a pair of 3-way switches. Both switches ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Reason for red wire in switch box?
BLUF: need help with what to do with a red wire from the panel.
I'm replacing a bedroom switch with a Kasa smart switch. The old switch didn't control anything (previous owner must have removed the ...
1
vote
2answers
14 views
Ceiling fan w/no light - to fan w/lights & remote cntrl - single switch?
We currently have a single switch to a ceiling fan with with no light. We would like to change it to ceiling fan with lights and remote control. Do we need additional switch to control light / fan ...
2
votes
1answer
35 views
TP-link Kasa 2 way HS200 only controls 1 of 7 lights
HELP for a SmartHome / Electrical noob here
Our kitchen has 11 recessed lights - 6+4 on the main roof and 1 over the sink. The 6+1 are controlled by one 2 way switch (A). The other 4 by a 3-way setup (...
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vote
2answers
65 views
Can I add a single pole switch to an existing thee way switch with same power source
Hello and apologies for this newbie question.
I have a three way switch that controls recessed lights in an extension through a wall, one three way switch inside (basement) one three way switch ...
4
votes
1answer
73 views
Ground wired to neutral in light switch
I'm a DIYer swapping out existing switches/receptacles for a different color. I ran across a light switch that had ground wired to neutral instead of the ground connection on the switch. This doesn't ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Connecting 4-wire supply to 3-wire outlet for bathroom fan timer switch
I am aware that there are similar questions on this site. However, because this is about electrical wiring (in the bathroom to boot), I want to make sure I am doing things correctly.
I am attempting ...
0
votes
2answers
39 views
Electrical box fill calculation
Take a look at picture of 2 switches , both are for single gang only (except left one is dimmer switch). As per NEC single pole switch device has fill volume of 2. My question is, switch on the left ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
faint LED glow when smart dimmer switch is off
I have a TP link HS220 dimmer switch that appears to be working correctly with the Phillips 8w LEDs I have. It goes on/off min and max dim with no issues. However, when I turn off the switch there is ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Wire Up a Double Rocker Switch and Normal Rocker Switch
I'm trying to understand how to wire up this particular section of a newly renovated wall. These wires are supposed to power 3 lights in total and I was told by the contractor to get a double rocker ...
0
votes
2answers
47 views
Hot water heater
I am going from a tank to a tankless water heater.
Can I cap off the 3rd copper pipe coming out of center of existing tank.
The Tankless unit has only a hot and a cold, nothing for recirculating.
Will ...
0
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0answers
17 views
Wiring an indoor motion sensor light [duplicate]
How would I wire an indoor motion sensor light so to also be able to turn it on with a remote light switch?
-1
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1answer
61 views
Two two-way switches in same gang box on same circuit. Only works when both are “On”. What to do? [closed]
I have 2 light switches in the same gang box, both connected to a ceiling light. They both appear to be 2-way switches as they both have "On/Off" printed on them. They do not work like 3-way ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Smart Switch Connection Issues
I am trying to wire a smart switch and wired it successfully for the other rooms but as having trouble in one of the rooms.
Can someone help me identify which wires are which as it seems to me by ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Can I eliminate 1 switch from a 3-4-4-4-3 way configuration?
The 2 story foyer light is controlled by 5 switches. 1 is a dimmer at bottom of stairs. 1 at top of stairs. And 1 switch at each of 3 doors entering lower foyer.
We want to hang a large mirror on ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
How to wire a switch with multiple lights
I have 3 lights (Power is coming in the first light) that are each on a single switch (in the same circuit). I want to put the 3 of them on the same switch. I found this helpful diagram but my switch ...
0
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0answers
37 views
How to replace 2 -gang kitchen/living room switch that also feeds hallway light
We are replacing a 2-gang light switch with an Iotty smart switch and we encountered a roadblock. We were expecting the wires in the box only to control the kitchen and living room light, but ...
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0answers
28 views
Twin Lightswitch wiring - uk
Earlier today my kitchen light switch fell apart.
I picked up a replacement and weird it as best I could comparing the terminals on the old switch
The kitchen has two lights on a 2 gang switch. Now ...
1
vote
1answer
25 views
3 way switch terminals
I was troubleshooting 3 way switches and I noticed this. On this 3 way switch, there is one black terminal( common) and 2 light colored terminals( for traveller wires). I disconnected both traveller ...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
New timer switch has a blue wire instead of red wire
I just replaced a mechanical timer switch (noisy) with a digital switch. The old switch had red, white, and black wires and the new switch has red, white, blue wires. I simply connected the new blue ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
Red wire with 40 Volts
I have a switch that I believe controls the lower socket on a split outlet. There is a red wire from the lower socket that goes into the switch, but it appears to be carrying 40 Volts AC relative to ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Illuminated Light Switch Flickering / Pulsating
I have a 3-way light switch that I just replaced with a new illuminated one (glows when off). The light inside the switch is pulsating, like a heartbeat! I thought it was maybe a defective switch and ...
3
votes
1answer
42 views
Push to run motorized appliance switch
I want a motorized appliance switch that turns on only when I am depressing a button then turns off when I let go.
I know about air switches I do not want those as they do not go in an electrical box.
...
0
votes
1answer
29 views
Adding Combo Switch to Existing Switch Loop
This is lighting diagram for a room.
The existing wiring (Lamp A) is a switched loop.
The switch is a combo switch (Blue Box) and I want to use the unused second switch for the new lamp.
What I want ...
2
votes
3answers
56 views
No power to switch box and overhead fans/lights in master bed/bath. No tripped GFCI, no tripped breakers
Just moved into a 2-story home built in 2002.
Upon move in, all lights and switches worked except for a pantry light downstairs and one of the outlets in an outlet box in a small bedroom upstairs.
...
0
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0answers
41 views
This circuit keeps tripping - why?
I'm extending a switch leg and running into an over-current situation I don't understand. I'm attaching my best Paint art to show you how the circuit is planned. The red legs from the right hand ...
1
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1answer
46 views
Switched outlet needs to be on for an exterior light switch to work; how can I fix this?
I have two switches in a box connected via a jumper wire; one for an outside light and one for the top plug of a wall receptacle. My problem is that the receptacle switch has to be switched on in ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Can't disconnect interlock switch terminals from connectors
I am trying to remove the interlock door switch in a GE microwave model JEB1860SM2SS. I was able to unhook it from the frame, but I can't pull the connecters off the terminals. The plastic that covers ...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
Installing a wireless remote switch for a ceiling fan in an existing single gang box
I installed a ceiling fan that has a wireless remote switch to control the light and fan speeds. It can be mounted in the wall in an existing single gang box. However the power to the fan must now ...
0
votes
2answers
55 views
Switch with 2 black wires and 1 white
I looked at a few answers before I wrote this, but none seemed to apply appropriately. The two I saw related to switched wiring for a plug and a light, but I am replacing a switch.
I took off an ...
