Wiring a switch
#1
04-02-13, 07:14 PM
Wiring a switch
Can I tap into a wire that is going into an outlet and add a light on a switch. And still have constant power to the outlet? Just trying to learn electric work better.
Basically I have the panels off and can see the wires feeding the outlets in the wall can I tap into the wire in between outlets and a light on a switch and still have power to the outlets. Or will the power be stopped at the switch?
I know I have lights and outlets on the same circuit and the outlets have constant power and the lights work off wall switches. How is the wired? Thanks
Basically I have the panels off and can see the wires feeding the outlets in the wall can I tap into the wire in between outlets and a light on a switch and still have power to the outlets. Or will the power be stopped at the switch?
I know I have lights and outlets on the same circuit and the outlets have constant power and the lights work off wall switches. How is the wired? Thanks
#2
04-02-13, 07:24 PM
Group Moderator
I see you have several threads running in reference to your basement upgrade/renovations.
One thread would probably have been more ideal. You should create an extra lighting circuit in your basement to pick up additional lights. It's better to keep the lights separate from the receptacles if at all possible.
One thread would probably have been more ideal. You should create an extra lighting circuit in your basement to pick up additional lights. It's better to keep the lights separate from the receptacles if at all possible.
#4
04-02-13, 09:14 PM
Hey guys thanks for the replies. Sorry about the multiply threads. Wasn't sure to keep together or make different ones.
As for this. I'm not looking to wire any lights into the recepticles. Just wanted to know how it works.
I know when I changed my outlet in the bathroom I shut the breaker for the outlet and that controlled several outlets as well as two florescent fixtures. Two smaller light fixtures (bulbs) and several outlets. So I'm guessing the lights on switches are all wired into the outlets. This kinda ties into my other thread about the bathroom light and fan bc that light is tied into other outlets and lights yet the switch only works the light in the bathroom.
Also. When I tried using a 20A outlet with a tester thing on it. It would not work. But a standard outlet worked? Why?
As for this. I'm not looking to wire any lights into the recepticles. Just wanted to know how it works.
I know when I changed my outlet in the bathroom I shut the breaker for the outlet and that controlled several outlets as well as two florescent fixtures. Two smaller light fixtures (bulbs) and several outlets. So I'm guessing the lights on switches are all wired into the outlets. This kinda ties into my other thread about the bathroom light and fan bc that light is tied into other outlets and lights yet the switch only works the light in the bathroom.
Also. When I tried using a 20A outlet with a tester thing on it. It would not work. But a standard outlet worked? Why?
#5
04-03-13, 03:19 AM
Yeah, although we read all the posts, it is difficult for us to remember what you are doing without going back to another thread and picking information out.
How it works......a switch merely breaks the connection between the hot wire from its source and the unit using the current, such as a light fixture. Neutrals are never switched, except in certain commercial applications. Your bathroom receptacle circuit is a dedicated 20 amp circuit, and should not control any other receptacles outside its walls, unless it is another bathroom.
I am not sure what a "20 amp outlet with a tester thing" is. Any time you need to, you can post pictures of what you are working on using this : http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...your-post.html
How it works......a switch merely breaks the connection between the hot wire from its source and the unit using the current, such as a light fixture. Neutrals are never switched, except in certain commercial applications. Your bathroom receptacle circuit is a dedicated 20 amp circuit, and should not control any other receptacles outside its walls, unless it is another bathroom.
I am not sure what a "20 amp outlet with a tester thing" is. Any time you need to, you can post pictures of what you are working on using this : http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...your-post.html
#6
04-03-13, 09:04 AM
I know when I changed my outlet in the bathroom I shut the breaker for the outlet and that controlled several outlets as well as two florescent fixtures. Two smaller light fixtures (bulbs) and several outlets. So I'm guessing the lights on switches are all wired into the outlets. This kinda ties into my other thread about the bathroom light and fan bc that light is tied into other outlets and lights yet the switch only works the light in the bathroom.
When I tried using a 20A outlet with a tester thing on it. It would not work. But a standard outlet worked? Why?
Just noticed: ECHO, Echo, echo...
#7
04-03-13, 09:46 AM
Thanks for the replies. Yes there are other receptacles and lights on the circuit outside of the bathroom. How can I tell if it is 15A or 20A. And yes I am referring to a 20A GFCI receptacle and did exactly what the instructions say as well as what you just said. Could it be that this is a 15A circuit not a 20A? When it was hooked it it did light light the instructions said it would however nothing worked when plugged it. Thanks and sorry for the lack of terminology I'm still learning lots
#8
04-03-13, 11:43 AM
Yes there are other receptacles and lights on the circuit outside of the bathroom.
How can I tell if it is 15A or 20A
Could it be that this is a 15A circuit not a 20A?
* US code only. Canada may vary.
#9
04-03-13, 12:27 PM
Yes there are other receptacles and lights on the circuit outside of the bathroom.
How can I tell if it is 15A or 20A.
yes I am referring to a 20A GFCI receptacle and did exactly what the instructions say as well as what you just said. Could it be that this is a 15A circuit not a 20A? When it was hooked it it did light light the instructions said it would however nothing worked when plugged it.
sorry for the lack of terminology I'm still learning lots
Last edited by Nashkat1; 04-03-13 at 03:17 PM.
#10
04-03-13, 02:49 PM
It was a while ago I tried this. But i just switched off the one circuit on the breaker. In the bathroom there is only 1 receptacle and 1 light. Outside the bathroom is 4 4ft florescents 1 100watt and 3 receptacles all that lost power when that one breaker was switched off
#11
04-03-13, 03:17 PM
I misspoke earlier. I meant to say
The lights inside and outside the bathroom can stay together. Run a new 20A circuit for the GFCI-protected receptacle(s) inside the bathroom.
One 20A circuit can supply all of the loads in one bathroom, or it can supply the GFCI protected receptacles in two or bathrooms.
#12
04-03-13, 05:42 PM
Ohh I gotcha. I know my father who contracted the house brig built wasn't pleased with the electrical work but hope nothing is unsafe.
Is it totally nessasary to have to run a new 20A cuircut just for the one receptacle in the bathroom? If anything can't I just leave it not being a GFCI or is it important to have that in there? Seems like a lot of work just to run on receptacle
Is it totally nessasary to have to run a new 20A cuircut just for the one receptacle in the bathroom? If anything can't I just leave it not being a GFCI or is it important to have that in there? Seems like a lot of work just to run on receptacle
#13
04-03-13, 06:52 PM
Is it totally nessasary to have to run a new 20A cuircut just for the one receptacle in the bathroom?
#14
04-03-13, 06:56 PM
Is it totally nessasary to have to run a new 20A cuircut just for the one receptacle in the bathroom? If anything can't I just leave it not being a GFCI or is it important to have that in there? Seems like a lot of work just to run on receptacle
IOW, yes, it is absolutely necessary.The only acceptable alternative is to have no receptacle in the bathroom - and to never use an extension cord to plug into a receptacle outside the bathroom.
#15
04-03-13, 07:43 PM
Oh wow ok then guess it is. How come when the house was built in 1981 it was built like this? All 5 bathrooms have the standard receptacles the power has never so much as flickered when running hair driers or any other like it?
To run a new 20a curcuit I will be adding a 20 amp breaker then running the wire to the new receptacle? Can I maybe add some vanity light to that then
To run a new 20a curcuit I will be adding a 20 amp breaker then running the wire to the new receptacle? Can I maybe add some vanity light to that then
#16
04-03-13, 07:51 PM
How come when the house was built in 1981 it was built like this? All 5 bathrooms have the standard receptacles the power has never so much as flickered when running hair driers or any other like it?
To run a new 20a curcuit I will be adding a 20 amp breaker then running the wire to the new receptacle? Can I maybe add some vanity light to that then
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
One 20A circuit can supply all of the loads in one bathroom,
#17
04-04-13, 07:36 AM
Oops missed that answer lol
Last question on this topic.
Since the other for bathrooms have several receptacles and are on the same cuircuts for the bed rooms. (Each bedroom and bath has its own circuit) is it safe to assume that it has GFCI protection somewhere else like you said? And if so wouldn't the receptacle in the bathroom remodel also be protected?
I was just going to leave this as it was until I started this thread obviously I want everything to be safe though. This was more of a hypothetical question turned into wow I may need to add a circuit.
How difficult is it to do this? I have read about it and understand it in theory but never did anything like this. And I dot want to burn my house down
Last question on this topic.
Since the other for bathrooms have several receptacles and are on the same cuircuts for the bed rooms. (Each bedroom and bath has its own circuit) is it safe to assume that it has GFCI protection somewhere else like you said? And if so wouldn't the receptacle in the bathroom remodel also be protected?
I was just going to leave this as it was until I started this thread obviously I want everything to be safe though. This was more of a hypothetical question turned into wow I may need to add a circuit.
How difficult is it to do this? I have read about it and understand it in theory but never did anything like this. And I dot want to burn my house down
#18
04-04-13, 08:09 AM
All of the bedroom bath receptacles can be on the same circuit but none can be on a bedroom or any other circuit but another bathroom. The bath lights may be on any circuit. However if one circuit serves receptacles in two or more bathrooms the bath lights can not be on that circuit. Preceding current national code. Wiring in place may be grandfathered till you do a major remodel of a bathroom. Local code may vary.
Assume nothing. Of course it would be a moot point if you bring the bathrooms up to current national code. Some plug in testers have a built in test button which allows you to test that but if you don't where the GFCI receptacle is before the test you could be without electric till you find it.... and they can be very hard to find.
is it safe to assume that it has GFCI protection somewhere else like you said?
Last edited by ray2047; 04-04-13 at 08:27 AM.
#19
04-04-13, 09:01 AM
Since the other for bathrooms have several receptacles and are on the same cuircuts for the bed rooms. (Each bedroom and bath has its own circuit) is it safe to assume that it has GFCI protection somewhere else like you said?
And if so wouldn't the receptacle in the bathroom remodel also be protected?
Regardless, the circuit supplying the GFCI-protected receptacle in the bathroom must be a 20A circuit and cannot supply power for any load that is not inside the bathroom. This answer has been repeated several times now; it's not going to change.
How difficult is it to do this? I have read about it and understand it in theory but never did anything like this.
Buy a plug-in GFCI tester and an analog multimeter when you go to the store for the new breaker, new cable and the copy of Wiring Simplified. Your money will be well spent on those investments.
#20
04-04-13, 12:51 PM
Thank you for the replys. I have 12/2 wire and a new 20A GFCI receptacle to install I understand its needed to do and how to do it.
I have an existing breaker for a well that is no longer used can I disconnect the wires from that and connect my new wire to it? I wouldn't have to turn the electric off from outside to do this right? Only flip off the main breaker?
Ordered that book from amazon
Thanks again
I have an existing breaker for a well that is no longer used can I disconnect the wires from that and connect my new wire to it? I wouldn't have to turn the electric off from outside to do this right? Only flip off the main breaker?
Ordered that book from amazon
Thanks again
#21
04-04-13, 01:48 PM
I have 12/2 wire and a new 20A GFCI receptacle to install
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
You only need a 15A GFCI receptacle, but you've already bought it now.
I have an existing breaker for a well that is no longer used can I disconnect the wires from that and connect my new wire to it?
I wouldn't have to turn the electric off from outside to do this right? Only flip off the main breaker?
Ordered that book from amazon
Enjoy!
#24
04-04-13, 08:54 PM
12/2 wire good? It's just thicker then the 14/2 right
Last edited by ray2047; 04-04-13 at 09:40 PM. Reason: Typo
