There are many reasons for installing switch and outlet combinations at home. The basic feature is that they provide an electrical circuit without having to have new wiring. An outlet can be added during light control or by turning the duplex outlets in the switched receptacle. Here we will discuss drails for wiring outlet switch combo providing an easy way to increase the working features of the electrical circuit. Let’s get started with How to Wire a Switch and Outlet Combo.
What is a Combo Switch/Outlet Device?
The combo device is a switch combination and outer in the same box or casing. Switch can wired to the control receptacle in the closing box. The switch is also wired through a jumper wire that helps the switch to control more loads connected like lights.
The combination of switch and outlet comes with a breakaway fin tab for line terminals that does not exist for the GFCI combo.
It also has test and resetting buttons on the GFCI combo switch one side is used for line terminals and 2nd is used for load terminals.
The switch and outlet combination comes with line narrow blade for Line and a wider blade for neutral. The breakaway fin tab is connected with a line wire that can removed to control more loads and a jumper wire is added between the switch and load points and lower line terminals that control the socket outlet in the closing box.
here you can see the combo switch & outlet device structure
How to Wire an Outlet Switch Combination
The outlet switch combination provides different options for making different circuit combinations. The device comes with a toggle switch and outlet in the same unit. Outlet switch combination device used for adding outlet on single pole or three-way switch points or connect switch to outlet.
As compared to wiring single function light switch different features are possible with outlet and switch combination devices.
Wiring connections of outlet switch combination can seen.
Light bulb Wiring with a Combo Switch and Outlet
In this wiring combination combo switch and outlet are connected with a 120 V AC supply. The breakaway fin tab connection working so the line wire is connected with one brass terminal on the line side.
Neutral is connected with a neutral silver point. The switch load brass terminal and neutral connected with a light bulb.
It helps the built-in switch control the light point and the socket outlet controls other connected loads devices.
Different Switch and Outlet Combo Wiring Diagrams
Different combinations used for wiring the switch and outlet combo
1. Wiring where Switch controls light only
- Here you can see the wiring diagram of the switch outlet combination where the switch is controlling only lights.
2. Wiring where Switch controls light and outlet
- Here we have made wiring for the switch controlling both the light and outlet. Here line wire is connected to the left side switch and the right side of either outlet or switch is a switched line.
3. Switch and outlet have different line sources
In this circuit, the switch is regulated with a separate source, and another outlet is connected to 2nd source. Remove the breakaway fin tab between lines and connect the upper terminal with the source and other line terminals with the second source.
Lower neutral connected with neutral wire of 2nd source and switch load connected with load like fan and light bulb.
Can I wire neutral and ground together at a light switch?
- We cannot neutral wire and ground wire with each other at the light switch. It incorrect and unsafe method. The working function of neutral and ground wire is different and never can swapped.
Can you wire an outlet and a switch on the same circuit?
- The wiring outlet and lights on the same circuit can cause fire, so do not do that.
What is the proper wiring order for an outlet or switch?
- The black or red wire is connected with brass-colored screws, white wire with silver-colored screws, and green or bare with green screws.
How to wire a light switch outlet combo with 3 wires?
- The common terminal of a normal 3-way switch is connected to a light bulb. Neutral wires connected with a neutral point of a 3-way combo device and light bulb. Ground wires connected with both switches and light bulbs.
Can I convert a light switch to an outlet?
- We can convert a light switch to an electrical outlet. Since outlet and light switches come with different features and wiring for one or another is different get the services of an electrician
How much power can an outlet draw?
- Outlet used at home a duplex receptacle has features to handle 15 or 20 amp current for 120 volts. and providing 1800 or 2400 watts. This capacity is best for handling lamps, chargers, or TVs.
What happens if a light switch is wired wrong?
- The wrong light switch wiring can cause fire which means current flow is not controllable from one to another conductor.
How are light switches wired to outlets?
- In switch wiring power goes to receptacle first. Neutral wire connected with outlet and hot wire split. There is a need wire nut for splicing hot wire with the receptacle, there is another wire connected to the same wire nut and switch.
Read also
