Question about when outlet is controlled by wall switch (power, electric, box)
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In other words, if the switch is on "off", if you plug something(like a pest control device) in the corresponding light outlet, it will not work until the switch is turned on. The only way to get it to work is to leave the light on
Is there a way to reverse this? Something sold at a hardware store or can the super do something?
The outlets I've come across that are controlled by a switch have only one of the two outlets switched. The other is always hot. Is this not the case with yours?
Can you not just leave the switch in the "on" position?
If you need to have remote control over a light while having something else plugged into the same outlet that's on all the time, you can look into something like an X10 or other similar setup.
In other words, if the switch is on "off", if you plug something(like a pest control device) in the corresponding light outlet, it will not work until the switch is turned on. The only way to get it to work is to leave the light on
Is there a way to reverse this? Something sold at a hardware store or can the super do something?
No, it is hard wired that way. You would have to have the plug rewired so it does not go through the switch.
A wall plug that is controlled by a light switch is wiring behind the wall. That's not something you can change and there's no device to alter that switch/plug relationship. The super can rip out the wall and revise the wiring but that might cost you a month's rent extra.
In other words, if the switch is on "off", if you plug something(like a pest control device) in the corresponding light outlet, it will not work until the switch is turned on. The only way to get it to work is to leave the light on
Is there a way to reverse this? Something sold at a hardware store or can the super do something?
Just tape the switch in an "on" position. I've done that in the past. It works great.
What you want is possible but not terribly common. If the circuit goes first to the box, and then to the wall switch, the wall outlet can be pulled out and replaced with one designed for the task, the buss wires on the side of it are clipped, and one socket is wired to be hot, and the other controlled by the wall switch.
Your off-the-shelf options are "the clapper" or a wireless wall switch, where the switch radio controls a box plugged into one socket. The problem with those is that the frequencies are commonly used by other devices, so interference is common in populated areas.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlrl
In other words, if the switch is on "off", if you plug something(like a pest control device) in the corresponding light outlet, it will not work until the switch is turned on. The only way to get it to work is to leave the light on
Is there a way to reverse this? Something sold at a hardware store or can the super do something?
Unless the *house-wiring* is designed by an idiot (which may be possible), those power outlets are usually controlled by a wall switch located near a main entrance to the space where that specific outlet is located.
So that outlet is specifically meant to be used with a light source you may like to turn on *first* when you enter that space.
If you thus use that outlet for something else, then you are using it wrong.
Is there absolutely no other outlet that is NOT controlled by a wall switch ?
As *swagger* has stated, that same outlet should have an *always* hot receptacle right next to it. If not, then your house wiring is definitevely designed by an idiot .....
Unless the *house-wiring* is designed by an idiot (which may be possible), those power outlets are usually controlled by a wall switch located near a main entrance to the space where that specific outlet is located.
So that outlet is specifically meant to be used with a light source you may like to turn on *first* when you enter that space.
If you thus use that outlet for something else, then you are using it wrong.
Is there absolutely no other outlet that is NOT controlled by a wall switch ?
As *swagger* has stated, that same outlet should have an *always* hot receptacle right next to it. If not, then your house wiring is definitevely designed by an idiot .....
You are correct. The idea of a "switched" outlet (maybe two) in the living room is to power a lamp or two so you don't trip on something in the dark when you enter the living room and walk to the lamp to turn it on. The other outlets aren't controlled by the switch. Most times this switch is located near the front door, or very close to the entry area or pantry. This way when coming into the house at night, one can just flip the switch on before walking into the dark living room.
Also, a lot of times two switches are wired to control the same outlet. This way one can turn the lamps off on the way to the bathroom or bedrooms, without having to walk across the living room to the entry area to turn that switch off.
It's a pretty good idea, and I wire my own house that way.
if you need to make sure the switch is left on, there is a switch cover that attaches to the wallplate preventing anyone from turning it off without removing the cover.
In other words, if the switch is on "off", if you plug something(like a pest control device) in the corresponding light outlet, it will not work until the switch is turned on. The only way to get it to work is to leave the light on
Is there a way to reverse this? Something sold at a hardware store or can the super do something?
I assume you want the outlet to remain powered regardless of the switch position. If the setup is like most I've seen, you have a duplex receptacle and the top outlet is always on, but the bottom one is controlled by the switch (or perhaps the other way around). I have many of these in my home.
If this is indeed what you have, the "fix" is easy and is reversible should the next tenant want the switch back. All you, your "Super," or an electrician needs to do is remove the existing outlet, identify the 3 wires (always hot, switched hot, and neutral), cap off the switched hot with a wire nut.
Install a new outlet, which will have the small metal "ears" intact that connect the top and bottom outlets, attach the hot and neutral, assemble, and you're done.
To go back to the old (switched) setup, break the ears (or put in the old outlet if you've saved it), take the wire nut off the switched wire and attach it and the always hot to top / bottom outlets.
NOTE!! I've left out obvious things like "Cut off the power to the circuit you are working on." If you are not comfortable working around electricity, ask someone else to do it. You could get killed.
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Jim
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