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  • Home
  • Anti virus/Anti malware
    • How to Remove Keyloggers
    • How to Remove Conficker Malware
    • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
  • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
  • Article Directory
    • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image >
          • Automotive >
            • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
            • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
            • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
            • How to Increase Fuel Economy
            • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
            • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
            • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
            • How to Replace a Door Panel
            • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
            • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
          • Business >
            • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
            • How to Create Order Forms
            • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
            • How to Promote your New Small Business
            • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
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How to Install a Switched Receptacle

Picture
Switched Receptacle

Walking into a dark house, often a hazardous adventure fraught with unseen obstacles, pitfalls and pets all too happy to greet you at the door. Instead of feeling your way around, trying not to knock over the table to reach that lamp, wouldn't it be convenient to flip a switch and instantly light up the room?

Things You'll Need:
* 12-2 Romex
* Available 20 amp Breaker
* 20 amp Duplex Receptacle
* Single-pole Switch (20 amp)
* Switch & Receptacle covers
* 2-Single Gang Carlon Superblue Hard Body 18 cu. in. Old Work Boxes
* Tape Measure
* Stud Finder w/ AC Scan
* Drill w/ 3/4" bit (and Flex bit if needed)
* Keyhole Saw
* Phillips and Standard Screw Drivers
* Wire Strippers
* Needle-nose Pliers

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1. Make use of an available duplex receptacle, if possible. Otherwise, this job requires installing a new circuit and a switch to control one half of it. Common household receptacles, rated 20 amps, usually wired with 12-2 Romex cable and protected with a 20 amp breaker. The light switch for this application, also rated 20 amps, even though most table or floor lamps draw no more than 15 amps. Both the switch and receptacle must handle the higher amp draw of appliances such as vacuum cleaners and 120 volt window A/C units.

Picture
Single-Gang box
2. Installing a new receptacle, after locating the hollow between your wall studs (see Tips), measure from the floor up to the bottom of the box (typically, between 9-12 inches). Trace the open face of the single gang old work box, level against the wall, with a pencil. Wall switches commonly installed 42-44" from the floor up to the bottom of the box.

Picture
Cutout
3. Using a keyhole saw, work away from the 3/4 access hole previously drilled. Drill a second access hole in the diagonal corner, if desired. "Dry fit" your Carlon box and trim the opening as necessary. Better to start small, making the opening larger, than to over-size the opening.

Picture
Half-switched receptacle
4. For a half-switched receptacle, wire the circuit as follows:
From the receptacle, black wire to the dark screw, white to the light-colored screw and ground to green. Use needle nose pliers to remove the connecting tab on the hot side only, separating the connection between receptacle halves. From the lower (hot) screw, or corresponding push-in receiver on the back, feed one screw of the switch (either one). Using a Sharpie permanent marker, color the white (neutral) wire black and complete the return from the opposite switch screw to the hot side of the upper half of the receptacle. Carry the ground to the switch as well.

Picture
Full-switched receptacle
5. For a fully-switched receptacle, wire the circuit as follows:
From the panel (source), connect the neutral and ground to the lower half of the receptacle as normal. The black wire bypasses the receptacle, feeding one screw of the switch (either one). Using a Sharpie permanent marker, color the white (neutral) wire black and complete the return from the opposite switch screw to the hot side of the upper half of the receptacle. Remember to carry the ground to the switch.

Tips
* Having difficulty locating a hidden wall stud? Measure in from an exterior wall or door frame; modern construction dictates a spacing of 16" on center. Test first with a finishing nail. Drill a 3/4" hole, insert your finger or a stiff wire to check from side to side.
* You will find it decidedly easier to locate both your new receptacle and wall switch in the same hollow between wall studs. Easier yet if you have open access to an unfinished basement ceiling or attic crawl space!
* Use a long flex bit to carefully drill through wall studs and bridging, to avoid plaster repairs, where necessary. (see warnings)
* Install the switch in the upright position.

* Installing a Dimmer switch? Use specially designed compact fluorescent bulbs or incandescent bulbs.
* High amp-draw electric motors greatly reduce the lifespan of fluorescent (CFL) bulbs; use incandescent bulbs when possible. FYI: Incandescent bulbs are slowly being phased out of production, starting with 100w. bulbs.

Warnings
* When drilling inside of a finished wall, scan for live electrical wiring and be mindful of plumbing.
* Be sure to connect to and install the breaker last, or pull the (existing) breaker of a live circuit from the panel, to avoid electrocution.
* When installing Romex cable, and the wire way is off-center in unfinished 2x4 construction, remember to install nail plates to prevent electrical shorts caused by nails and drywall screws.


Copyright 9/06/2011 All Rights Reserved. Questions? Comments? Contact Me
Cover image color scheme by Levy Designs
Related Articles:
Electrical

DISCLAIMER: All of my Electrical tutorials are meant for those with working knowledge of electrical wiring and should not be attempted by first-time novices.

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Copyright © TomComKnowsHow

  • Home
  • Anti virus/Anti malware
    • How to Remove Keyloggers
    • How to Remove Conficker Malware
    • How to Remove Locky and AutoLocky Ransomeware for Free
  • How to Remove a Spyware Infection
  • Article Directory
    • How to Protect Computers using Free Version Antivirus Protection Software
    • Computer/Internet >
      • Audio/Visual >
        • How to Add a Cursor (Mouse Pointer) to a Print Screen Image >
          • Automotive >
            • How to Change Seized Up Spark Plugs
            • How to Change Automatic Transmission Filters
            • How to Do Auto Body Repair Work
            • How to Increase Fuel Economy
            • How to Install Truck Hitch Accessories/Attachments
            • How to Make a Poor Man's Fuel Heater
            • How to mix your own Fuel Additive
            • How to Replace a Door Panel
            • How to Replace Rear Leaf Springs
            • How to Tune-Up a Car Yourself
          • Business >
            • How to Appeal Denial of Unemployment Insurance Benefits
            • How to Create Order Forms
            • How to Perform Maryland Judiciary Case Searches Online
            • How to Promote your New Small Business
            • How to Recover Microsoft Office Professional for free
        • How to Convert qcp to wav
        • How to Create Watermark Protected Images
        • How to Crop a Print Screen Image
        • How to Disable your built-in Camera
        • How to Disable your built-in Microphone
        • How to Draw a Rose Bouquet
        • How to Print Digital Images Actual Size
        • How to Resize an Image to 424 X 282 Pixels, Without Distortion
        • How to Stream M3U's on Websites
      • How to Access a No Boot Hard Drive
      • How to Add Downloads to the Start Menu
      • How to Add a Hibernate Shortcut to your Windows Desktop
      • How to Add a Log Off Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Restart Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Second HDD (a Slave Drive) to your PC
      • How to Add a Shutdown Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add a Standby Shortcut to your Windows desktop
      • How to Add Keywords to Your Website
      • How to Add Safe Mode to your Windows Boot Menu, by editing the BOOT.INI file
      • How to Backlink your online content
      • How to Block a Pinterest Follower
      • How To Comply with Amazon FTC Regulations
      • How to Connect to a Public WiFi Network
      • How to Create a Bookmarks Favicon
      • How to Create a Downloads Library in Windows Explorer
      • How to Create an active Click to Call Link
      • How to Create an h1 Header
      • How to Defragment the Paging File aka Virtual RAM
      • How to Disable sharing on Windows 7 and 8
      • How to Enable and Disable WiFi on Laptops and Tablets
      • How to Fix an Optical Scroll Mouse
      • How to Force Safe Mode on restart without editing BOOT.ini
      • How to Improve Computer Performance
      • How to Install a Bluetooth USB
      • How to Open Affiliate HTML Ads in New Tabs
      • How to Optimize your online content
      • How to Repair Windows Offline Help and Support
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Inverter
      • How to Replace a Dell Vostro 2510 LCD Screen
      • How to Safely Eject ReadyBoost
      • How to Securely Wipe a Hard Disk Drive
      • How to Set Single-Click Customization on Desktop and Laptop Computers
      • How to Turn Num Lock on by Default in Windows 7 & 8
      • How to Tweet from a Flip Phone
    • Food & Drink >
      • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Shiitake Mushrooms and roasted Bell Pepper
      • How to Bake a fantastic Zucchini Pie
      • How to Bake Candied Pecans
      • How to Bake Rosemary-Maple Glazed Pork Loin
      • How to Boil Eggs Without Cracking Shells
      • How to make Ramen Noodles more interesting
      • How to Make your own Chopsticks
      • How to scratch Hearty Turkey and Rice Soup
      • How to Slow Cook Beans & Rice with Sausage
      • How to Slow Cook Venison Stew
    • Health >
      • How to Build a Strong Freestanding Inversion Rack
      • How to Pack a Blood Specimen for Air Travel
      • How to Tell if you have Bed Bugs
    • Holidays & Celebrations >
      • How to Easter Egg Hunt with Candy Filled Eggs
      • How to Hang the American Flag
    • Home Improvement >
      • Concrete >
        • How to Apply/Repair Ornamental Mapping on Historic Field Stone Construction
        • How to Install a vented Glass Block window
        • How to Pour Concrete Footers for Jack Posts
      • Electrical >
        • How to Control Outdoor and Ceiling Lights with a Timer
        • How to Install a Breaker Panel Receptacle
        • How to Install a Switched Receptacle
        • How to Install Outdoor Motion Lights
        • How to Replace a Doorbell
        • How to Replace a Door Chime
        • How to Wire multiple lights on a Porch Circuit
      • Exterior >
        • How to Calculate a Roof Pitch in Degrees
        • How to Frame a Dormer
        • How to Install Vinyl Outdoor Swings
        • How to Install Vinyl Soffit
        • How to Paint Wood Doors
        • How to Reduce your Cooling costs by painting your Roof white
      • Interior >
        • How to Build a Hide A Safe to Protect The Family Jewels
        • How to Build Boxed Ceiling Beams
        • How to Frame Interior Walls
        • How to Install Crawl Space Insulation
        • How to Increase your Cordless Phone Range
        • How to Install Vinyl Mini Blinds
        • How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Hands
        • How to Resize an Interior Composite Hollow Core Door
      • Plumbing >
        • How to Repair Copper Pipes
        • How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple
        • How to Solder a Plumbing Joint
        • How to Stop Water Pipes From Vibrating
    • Pets >
      • How to Administer a bitter pill to a Cat
      • How to Administer subcutaneous hydrating fluids to an ailing Cat
      • How to Paper train a Green Iguana
    • Wildlife >
      • How to Escape from a Bear in the Woods
      • How to Field Dress a Whitetail Deer
      • How to Legally live-trap and relocate Squirrels in the State of Maryland
    • Yard & Garden >
      • How to Build a Concrete Outdoor Fire Pit
      • How to Build your own Pond
      • How to Change the Tire on a Riding Lawn Mower
      • How to Install a Chain Link Fence Gate
      • How to Seed Flagstone Walkways With Moss
  • Contact Me
  • Amazon Deals
  • Zazzle.com/TomCom