If you aren’t sure how your setup is wired, you’ll have to go through the first step of this tutorial to look into your light switch box. RELATED: How to Upgrade Your Outlets for USB Charging The former scenario is pretty rare in most houses, but always check to make sure. The power must be coming into the light switch box first, and then continue on to the light fixture. In other words, if the hot line that provides power to the light (or whatever the switch powers) goes into the light fixture first and then into the light switch box, you won’t be able to use a switch/outlet combo. One very important thing before you start: You won’t be able to use these switch/outlet combo units if power isn’t coming into the light switch box. This one from Leviton ($9) will get the job done in most cases, but I’m using this heavy-duty one from Eaton, which is more appropriate for workshops and such. They’re not as ubiquitous as regular light switches and outlets, but you can still usually find them at most hardware stores. Lastly, you’ll need a switch/outlet combo unit. Some optional-but very handy-tools include needle-nose pliers, combination pliers, a wire stripper (in case you need to cut wire or strip off wire insulation), a voltage tester, and a power drill. The absolute must-have tools are a flat-head screwdriver and a Phillips-head screwdriver. RELATED: The Basic Tools Every DIYer Should Own Check your local regulations before continuing.īefore you dive deep into this project, you’ll need a few tools and supplies to get the job done. Also note that it may be against the law, code, or regulations to do this without a permit, or it might void your insurance or warranty. If you opened the article not sure how exactly we were going to pull this trick off, it’s time to call in that wiring-savvy friend or electrician. If you read the beginning of this article and immediately visualized how to do it based on past experience wiring switches and outlets, you’re probably good. There’s no shame in getting someone else to do the actual wiring for you if you lack the skill or knowledge to do so. Warning: This is a project for a confident DIYer. In short: there are quite a few ways to wire it up, and we’ll show you how to do all of them below. For example, my shop vac is tucked away under by workbench, so I have one of these switches to easily turn it on and off without reaching under the bench every time. This isn’t as common of a scenario around the house, but it could work great out in the garage or workshop if you want an independent receptacle that can easily be turned on and off at will. Lastly, you could have the switch control just the outlet and nothing else. You can also wire it up so that the switch controls the outlet and the light it’s connected to, which may be useful if you have a lamp plugged into the outlet. RELATED: The Different Kinds of Electrical Outlets You Can Install In Your House You’d still have the switch to control the lights, but you now have an extra outlet that you can use for that fancy new blender you bought. You could replace the light switch on the wall with a switch/outlet combo. The switch can control your lights, the switch can control the outlet, or the switch can control both your lights and the outlet.įor example: say your countertop appliances are hogging all of the outlets in your kitchen. RELATED: How to Install and Set Up the Belkin WeMo Light SwitchĪ switch/outlet combo like the one pictured above can be wired up in three ways. If you’re running out of outlets to plug things into, installing a switch/outlet combo is a great way to squeeze in another receptacle without completely wiring in a new outlet or sacrificing existing outlets or switches.
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