Common Mistakes When Wiring a Switched Half-Hot Outlet

I replaced the switch and outlets in a bedroom, why don’t they work right? How to Wire a Half-Hot Switched Outlet and Avoid the Most Common Mistakes.

How to Wire a Half-Hot Switched Outlet
Electrical Question #1: I replaced the switch and outlets in a bedroom, why don’t they work right?

I replaced the switch and all of the outlets in a bedroom; however, the switch now no longer turns the floor lamp on and off like it used to. I have double checked the wiring based on the diagram I found on your website and I can’t find a problem.

Any other ideas would be great.
Thanks,
Chris

This electrical question came from: Chris, a Homeowner from Quincy, Illinois.
See more about Home Wiring for Illinois

Electrical Question #2: Why does my wall switch and outlet do not work right?

• I replaced a wall switch and outlet but now the outlet has power regardless of switch position. What happened?

This electrical wiring question came from Ron in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your electrical questions.

Wiring for  a Half-Hot Switched Outlet

The Key to Wiring a Half Hot Outlet

• Chris, the most often overlooked key to making a half-hot outlet work is to make sure to remove the bridge or tab that is the connection between the top receptacle and the bottom receptacle on the brass or power side of the outlet.
• With a typical half-hot switched outlet, if this bridge or tab is not removed then both the top and bottom receptacles will remain hot all the time and the switch will not have any affect.

The Key Mistake When Wiring a Half-Hot Outlet

• The other most common mistake when wiring half-hot receptacle outlets is when the bridge or tab is removed on the silver or neutral side of the outlet.
• With typical wiring where there is only one neutral wire that is attached to the silver or neutral side of the outlet and the bridge or tab is removed this will prevent the connection from occurring between the top and bottom receptacle outlets and will prevent the switched receptacle outlet from working correctly as well.

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Home Electrical Wiring and Electrical Repairs Please Note: Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter. Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution: Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Important: Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.

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