Installation of dual switch/outlet in place of a light switch
#1
01-03-20, 06:39 PM
Installation of dual switch/outlet in place of a light switch
Hi, i want to replace a light switch with a dual switch/outlet (legrand 681 series seperate feed) in order to still control the light from the switch with an addition of independent outlet to give power to my phone charging station.
The confusion is how to wire the new switch and what wires to leave untouched. The wires in the box are 3 white together with a screw cap. Three black wire one with a small beige tape is hot and the rest two are feeds. The one on top of the beige taped wire was stuck together to the black wire on the top right hand side and attached to one of the screws on the light switch and the other black wire on the left side was alone attached to the other screw of the switch. Kindly help me how to wire these wires for the new switch to control the light only and have continuous supply for the outlet.
thank you in advance.
JF
The confusion is how to wire the new switch and what wires to leave untouched. The wires in the box are 3 white together with a screw cap. Three black wire one with a small beige tape is hot and the rest two are feeds. The one on top of the beige taped wire was stuck together to the black wire on the top right hand side and attached to one of the screws on the light switch and the other black wire on the left side was alone attached to the other screw of the switch. Kindly help me how to wire these wires for the new switch to control the light only and have continuous supply for the outlet.
thank you in advance.
JF
Last edited by PJmax; 01-03-20 at 09:09 PM. Reason: cropped/resized/labeled pictures
#2
01-03-20, 09:05 PM
The one on top of the beige taped wire was stuck together to the black wire on the top right hand side and attached to one of the screws on the light switch
the other black wire on the left side was alone attached to the other screw of the switch.
Take a short white wire and connect between the white bundle in the nut and the neutral (silver) screw.
On closer look I think you need a new device. Looks like someone cut the tab between the two hot screws.
There should be a tab joining the screws in the red circle.
#3
01-03-20, 09:11 PM
Group Moderator
Good catch on the hot clip. However, this receptacle comes that way. It's called a dual or split hot feed. The OP could really use the standard bridged hot for easier install.
#4
01-04-20, 06:42 AM
Pig tail
Thank you for your guidance. So if I am getting it right is to make a pigtail out of the neutral bunch? Also what to do with the three metal earthing wires, i forgot to mention about them in my original post. Also I was told to remove the tab if I want the switch and outlet to work independently. Please let me know.
thank you again
JF
thank you again
JF
#5
01-04-20, 08:22 AM
You do not need remove the tab for independent operation.
To make the receptacle unswitched you connect the line to the two common terminals with the tab in place.
If you want the receptacle switched connect the line to the other side of the switch and then the common terminals will be switched.
The only time you would need the tab cut would be if the light and the receptacle were on two different breakers.
To make the receptacle unswitched you connect the line to the two common terminals with the tab in place.
If you want the receptacle switched connect the line to the other side of the switch and then the common terminals will be switched.
The only time you would need the tab cut would be if the light and the receptacle were on two different breakers.
#6
01-04-20, 09:08 AM
Earthing
Thank you again for your prompt reply. I will get one device with the tab intact then. What to do about the three metal earth wires should I make a pigtail out of them as well and connect to the green screw? Kindly let me know.
#7
01-04-20, 09:23 AM
Group Moderator
Yes..... the three ground wires need to be connected. You could add a short tail to connect the device.
#8
01-04-20, 10:33 AM
If the tab was broken, you can cut two pigtails to attach to the switch hot and receptacle hot terminals respectively. Wire nut the other ends to the hot feed in and hot feed out from the wall (4 wire ends together).
#9
01-04-20, 10:43 AM
Group Moderator
