Home Improvement Asked by R. Eilbacher on January 31, 2021
I have a 10 x 10 bedroom. One single pole switch, four 15 amp outlets sitting on a 20 amp circuit breaker. Each of the four outlets (typical double receptacles) — 1, 2, 2, 3 and 4 are “hot” i.e. the single pole with has no effect. Outlet 1 has a red wire. Outlets 2, 3 and 4 are wired with white and black…no red wires.
If I want to have Outlet 2’s top receptacle be operated by the pole switch do I simply break/remove the black terminals connector plate (not sure proper term) between the black terminals and it will work in on/off mode with the switch ?
Thank you in advance for taking this “newbie” question.
Ross
Unfortunately, no. That red wire is the key. Half-switched outlets need an always hot wire and a switched hot wire. Outlet 1 has that (black and red), but outlet 2 does not. You would need to run another cable to Outlet 2.
Answered by bib on January 31, 2021
No, simply breaking the tab off outlet 2 will not work. Assuming that everything is wired in a "standard" way, the red wire is the one that is controlled by the switch.
You have 2 choices:
Replace the cable between outlet 1 and 2 with 12/3 cable, which has a red wire. This makes it possible to achieve exactly what you are looking for.
Figure out which black wire in outlet box 1 goes to outlet 2. Connect that back wire and the red wire coming in to outlet 1 together with another short (6 inch) piece of black or red wire, using a wire nut. You have created a "pig tail". Connect that pig tail to outlet 1 where the red wire used to connect. The downside to this method is that outlets 2, 3 and 4 are now fully controlled by the switch.
Answered by longneck on January 31, 2021
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