I recently replaced a 1-gang switch box with a 2-gang box and added a brand new switch. The 2nd switch currently has nothing hooked up to it, as I need to cut out a new outlet.
The first switch/existing switch, controls my kitchen pendant lights. It is also on the same circuit as my kitchen LED lights.
When I first opened the box before adding the new switch, I was only expecting to see two sets of wires – 1) power from the circuit breaker, 2) to the switch to pendant lights. I was a bit confused when I saw a 3rd set, which I am assuming has to do with the LED lights on the circuit (controlled by a separate switch at a separate location).
My end goal is to make the new switch I put in be wired to a brand new outlet I will put in.
Below is a picture of how my current 2-gang box looks. I don't know exactly what wires go to what, since this already came with my house.
Can someone help explain how to wire my new switch to control a new outlet? It doesn't matter if the switch controls 1/2 the outlet or the whole outlet.
Thanks!
Best Answer
Connect a white from the connector with the other whites to silver screw on receptacle.
To control the whole receptacle connect a short stub of black wire between wire nut that connects blacks together to one terminal screw on switch. Connect a black wire to the other terminal screw on switch and to gold screw on receptacle.
(Or if instead to control half break the tab off the black side only off the receptacle. Connect a short stub of black wire between wire nut that connects blacks together and to one terminal screw on switch. Connect another black wire from the blacks to one gold screw of receptacle. Connect a red wire from the other screw terminal on switch to other gold screw on receptacle.)
To the ground wire connection add a green (or bare) grounding wire to the green screw on switch, and another ground wire to the new receptacle.
If you use any metal junction boxes you must pigtail and add a ground to the boxes too, usually using a green 10-32 machine screw to a prethreaded hole in the back of the box.
Note that connectors are Listed (UL/CSA/ETL) for size and number of conductors, and it is sometimes hard to make a good connection with used connectors, you should consider getting new properly sized connectors. The size and number of wires allowed should be on the packaging.
Many cheap switches and receptacles have push in terminals, I did not just leave out the option of using those, I intentionally do not use those since they have a history of not holding wires securely.