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How To Wire An Outlet From A Switch

Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home, Home electrical which wiring includes 110 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.

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Electrical Wiring for an Outlet to a Switch

How do I wire an outlet from a switch?

This electrical wiring question came from: Mike, a Homeowner from Dante, South Dakota.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Mike.

How to wire an Outlet from a Switch

Electrical outlet wiring
outlet-wiring
Wiring Electrical Outlet for the Home
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.

Wiring a switch
electrical-switches
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1

Electrical wire
electrical-wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

For more information about Outlet Wiring
How to Install Electrical Outlets
Outlet Wiring
Wiring Electrical Outlets
Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Wiring Electrical Outlets with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.

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Do-It-Yourself Electrical


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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

6 Responses to “How To Wire An Outlet From A Switch”
  1. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Anthony,
    Example of Adding a GFCI Outlet and Vanity Light to a Bathroom
    The circuit power source will need to be tested and verified. A 2-wire cable is installed between the wall box and the desired location for the vanity light. The wall box will need to be replaced with a 2-gang or 3-gang box, depending on available space. The power source is shared for the additional GFCI outlet and vanity light. Refer to the GFCI and switch wiring diagrams provided in the wiring diagrams section of this website for wiring the additional devices.
    Be sure to get a permit, use methods and materials that are compliant with local and national codes, and have the additional wiring inspected.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  2. Anthony Marroccoli says:

    I have a 3 wire feed coming from bath ceiling light and fan to a single pole switch. I want to add a vanity light and GFCI with a separate switch for vanity light an ceiling light and bath fan. How do I wire this so each Item is on a separate single pole switch?

  3. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Kaylaypoe,
    How to Wire a Switch for an Outlet
    Keep in mind that when wiring a switch it is not necessary to switch the white neutral wire.
    When wiring a switch to control a 110volt outlet the power wire is connected to the switch as follows:
    One switch screw terminal is for the Power In.
    One switch screw terminal is for the Power Out.

    Example of Using a 3Wire Cable for a Switch
    The 3wire cable can be used for switching as follows:
    Use the black wire as the Power In.
    Mark the wire wire with black electrical tape at each end, and use it for the Power Out.
    With this example, these two wires are configured to break the circuit power, and send the power to the switch, and then back to the outlet.
    NOTE: The ground wires are all bonded together and distributed to all locations, and attached to the provided ground screws of the switch and outlet.

    A Basic Switch Circuit
    A switch circuit is basically a loop of the circuit power wire that goes through the switch.

    Please refer to the wiring diagrams on this website. Links to the wiring diagrams are provided in the main article above.

    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  4. kaylaypoe says:

    I need to wire a switch out to a power outlet. The existing power outlet has 4 wires, red, black, white and ground. The switch cable has only 3 wires, black, white, and ground. Can you please give me a diagram how to wire it?
    Thanks very much.

  5. Dave Rongey says:

    Dora,
    Here is a link that has Switched Outlet Wiring Diagrams.
    In order to provide power for a new outlet the wiring at the switch box must include the line(hot) and the neutral. There is a lot of confusion with this because a white wire may be present at the switch box, but the white wire may not actually be a “neutral”, but rather the white wire may be used for the switched loop wiring. This can only be verified by careful examination and testing the wiring that is at the switch box. If there are two insulated wires at the switch box and they are both connected to the switch then a “neutral” is not present, therefore this wiring may not be used to power an outlet and an alternative power source would be required.
    Dave

  6. DORA says:

    How do I wire an outlet from a switch?
    Power comes from the light to the switch and I want to wire an outlet after the switch.
    How do I go about doing this without rewiring everything?