Electrical Wiring for Switched Wall Sockets

How to Wire a Wall Switched Outlets: Basic Wiring Configuration for Half Hot Outlets, Wiring Outlets to be Controlled by a Switch and Wiring Outlets to Not be Controlled by a Switch.

Wiring Switch Controlled Wall Sockets
Electrical Question: I have a home wall switch wiring problem. I think someone who owned the home before me changed the wiring so that 5 wall sockets are always hot.

• There are red and black with 110 v connected to wall switch which fails to turn off any one of the 5 electrical sockets (Note wall switch passes continuity test ).
• 5 wall sockets are always on.
• I did the following electrical troubleshooting:
  • I disconnect the red wire and black wire from the wall switch.
  • All 5 wall sockets are dead and have 0 volts.
• I don’t understand how 2 hot leads can control 5 wall sockets and each socket has 110 volts because they are parallel.
• Can you advise me how to wire the switch so that the wall switch can power only 1 wall socket and the other 4 wall sockets are always hot.
• The current wiring configuration is:
  • 4 white wires
  • 4 black wires ( 0 voltage on theses )when using VOM between white and black wires 0 volts
  • As mentioned above have 1 black and 1 red have 110v when testing with using VOM

This home electrical wiring question came from: Bill , a Handyman from Vallejo, California.
See more about Home Wiring for California
Additional Comments: I’m looking forward to getting a wiring diagram to help me correctly wire this wall switch

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electric wiring question Bill.

How to Wire a Wall Switched Outlets

Application: Wiring a Half Hot Switched Outlet.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best Installed by a Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Specific to the scope of the work and the condition of the home and project. Electricians Tools, including Pouch of Hand Tools, Power Tools, Drill motor and Auger Drill Bits and Extension Cords, and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install electrical wiring.
Precaution: Identify the circuit power source at the panel, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before installing wiring or working or making connections.

Basic Wiring Configuration for Half Hot Switched Outlets

• A typical wall socket or receptacle has two outlets, one on the top and one on the bottom, this is also referred to a Duplex Receptacle.
• A half hot outlet is where one  outlet is controlled by a wall switch, and the other outlet is hot all the time.
• The switched outlet mus have the circuit power source connected to the switch, and then to the switched outlet.
• The outlet that is not switched has the circuit power connected directly to the outlet.

Wiring Outlets to be Controlled by a Switch

• If you want the wall plugs to be controlled by the switch then a wire from the power source must be installed to the switch and then to the outlets.

Wiring Outlets to Not be Controlled by a Switch

• If the wall plugs are now controlled by a switch but you would like them to be hot all the time then an additional wire must be installed from the power source to the outlets that you do not wish to be controlled by the wall switch.
• Another option is to remove the power wires from the wall switch and splice them together, therefore the switch will be bypassed and the outlets will be hot all the time.

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» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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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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