Wiring outlet with light switch

First of all Top of the day,

OK I admit I'm beat, here's the deal. I'm trying to replace a outlet/Light combination device. The old one had a socked at the bottom that would not hold devices plugged in. It would just sag and fall out. So I purchased this Combination Switches, 681I | by Legrand. I believe there are seperate feeds from wall outlet. There are 2 Black & 2 White wires & 2 copper ground wires. I thought the instructions instructed me to wire the two back to one side ( side were it says black on the back side of device ). The 2 white and the left side ( It says " white " on the back ). Hook up the ground. I should be all good. Not! nothing. Using a current tester It shows there isn't any. Any ideas?

P.S. I did break off that breakoff Tab on the Black side

 

Welcome to the forums.

The white wires should be combined with a tale.....so that there is only white to the silver screw.

The hot black wire goes to the left side of the switch where the bridged connection is. You will have to bridge the two terminals where you broke the clip off.

The other black wire goes to the switch output.

The two bare wires should also be twisted together with a third piece of wire as a tale so that there is only one bare wire on the device.

 

Thanks for the quick response PJ

I will return and purchase another switch tomorrow with an unbroken Tab. But I believe I get what your laying down. I will make another attempt in the AM.

 

You can splice two short pieces of black wire to the incoming hot wire and connect one of those to each of the two brass screws, if you'd rather.

 

top of the morning.


Update.... I just exchanged other outlet for a new one. Starting fresh . So as per PJmax I did exactly as he instructed. And there was some improvement. The light COMES ON! Woot! Bad part is they won't turn off. I checked and rechecked PJ's instructions and my wire connections, all seems intact. I tested for the hot (Black) wire so I know which one it is. It is connected below the bridge screw.

Thanks in advance

 

How did you test? You didn't use a non contact tester did you? Swap the black wires and try again.

 

Afternoon

I use this http://www.all-spec.com/images/produ...ols/ncvt-1.jpg. And I did try swapping the two black wires. Also the outlet appears to be working. Tested a radio on it. So why wouldn't the light switch work? Recheck the white contact to the silver screw? I did give it my best shot to tale the white and ground wires, but maybe i'll redo them. Any thoughts?

 

If you take one of the black wires off the switch.....either one......does the light not work ?

 

Afternoon again PJ,

I took off the non hot black wire. The light no longer works, but the outlet still is functioning. Not giving up lol. But goodness why did I start . Thoughts?

 

Any thoughts.....yup.

The switch is defective. You took the light wire off the switch. That is the same exact thing the switch itself would have done. Since it didn't happen....the switch is stuck on.

 

Even though the tester you used was useless for the purpose it seems you guessed right any way. You need to buy a $8-$15 analog multimeter so you can do an actual measurement not just look for random electromagnetic fields.

 

Good Day,

Roger that on the analog multimeter. I'll be heading back to HDPot to exchange the switch so i'll gather that up also. I'll also try to do a better job on the white wires tailing also. Thank you, little by little this'll get done.

 

New switch, same result. But I have a nugget for you's to chew on. If I take the 2 white wires and cap them together ( not on silver screw) I will get the same result ie Light staying on. If I separate them with one on silver screw and the other capped, no light. Make any sense? Monday I may have to make the dreaded call .

 

Do you have two cables. If yes when with a multimeter measure between black and white of each cable. Is one cable hot (120 volts) and the other cable not (~0 volts)? If so wire nut together the black and white of the cable that reads ~0 volts. Does the light come on? If so you were right to break the bridge as you first did.

The cable with the 0 volts goes to the two brass screws on the end with the switch. The cable with 120 volts goes to the silver and brass screws on the receptacle end.

 

When I get home I'll do what you suggest. But yes there are a total 4 cables( 2 copper grounds ). They appear to be on separate feeds. Cause there in separate pairs coming through the circuit box. These were the same 4 wires that were on the old combo switch. This is the back of the old switch .

 

Do you mean two cables, four conductors, two grounds? Never seen a combo like that so I can't comment on your picture. What does the writing between the black wires and near the whites say? Is there whiting near the unused terminal at the far end?

 

Something isn't making sense here.

 

Between the two black ( North to South ) it says SW. Between the Black and white ( Left to right ) it says outlet. Pic some of actual wall box. The unused terminal at bottom says GRD, ground.

Thanks guys

 

What does it say at the two whites? Using the multmeter check if you have continuity between the two whites. I'd still like the measurements of the two cables also. We may need to pull the light but lets wait till all the questions so far are answered.

Not related to your problem but if the circuit is ungrounded you may need to use a special switch/GFCI receptacle to meet code.

 

PJ has the better zoomed picture, so its better to view that after this explanation. The wording on the semi circle between the wires says " Press down at arrows to release wires ". Just to the right of each black wire you'll see a depressed cavity. Sticking a small screwdriver head in there will release the wires. The cavity is to the left of the white wires. Its hard to see in Pic but both white wires are in that hole.

P.S. Ill get back to you on your request. Son on computer playing WOW. The light breaker in on the modems circuit too. thanks

 

We'll be here tonight or tomorrow. <LOL> I spent 15 minutes on this and still couldn't read it till you told me. <LOL>.

<img src="https://myphotos.mypclinuxos.com/images/ray2047/1.jpg" width="475" height="188"/>

.

 

Sounds good,

This switch has been owning me all day. A fresh start tomorrow. one last pic tho

Explanation: On the Far right (TOP) , that is a working toggle light switch. The middle set is where the Black hot wire resides with its white counterpart. Both the middle set and the far left ( BOTTOM) were once installed in that old combo outlet.


Thanks in advance

 

According to the way your old combo device was wired, you should have line voltage being connected through a switch to the light. The two whites that were attached to the old combo need to be spliced together, with a pigtail added, and the pigtail terminated to the silver terminal on the receptacle part of your new combo. One ground wire should connect the new combo to the other grounds and the metal box needs to be bonded to ground.

The black hot wire from the old combo should be connected to one of the brass terminals on the new combo. The black wire to the light should be connected to the other switch terminal on the new combo.

 

That's what I posted in post # 2. The OP says that the lights wont shut off with the switch but will shut off if the switched output wire is removed from the switch.

 

I know, but it only makes sense this way. And one bum switch is understandable, but two?

 

Suggest he buy a regular light switch, hook it up, and see if it works. Also it is probably time to open the light.

 

As suggested I installed a light switch

Using the Left Black/White wires. Light does not work. Do I try it on the Middle wires. Also this I'm sure will divulge my to total noobness but I'm still trying to figure out how to use this Multimeter. But I haven't forgot you asked for that info.

 

Connect the two black wires to the light switch and the two white wires to each other.

Tell us how the light is wired.

 

And the lord said , " Let there be ..........."

The switch performs, lights on, lights off, like clockwork. This will be my fail safe configuration if the outlet thing doesn't pan out. Not giving up tho lol. Lead me dear sirs, what's next.........

 

IDK. What's next on your list?