skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

can a light switch be turned into outlet and light switch?

14 years ago

my bathroom had only one electrical outlet which was just below the light fixture. I'm replacing the light fixture... which means no more electrical outlet.

can a new electrical outlet be wired from the light switch and is this something relatively simple or should i call an electrician. (i'm able to replace light fixtures and put on new switches and outlets without much trouble. but that stuff is all pretty straight forward stuff.)

thanks

j.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

dave777_2009
14 years ago
Simple or not - depends on what is in the box for the light switch...

A switch is in Series. So - you might have very few conductors in the box...

If, you have a White, Hot, and ground in the switch box - it is very simple to add an outlet.

If you have a White (neutral) & Hot; but no ground - you could add a GFCI. Bathrooms require GFCI's anyway - even when you have an actual ground - but these saftey devices will work ungrounded. And add to your saftey - rather than just a plain jane 25cent outlet...

If you only have a Neutral, or Hot - then you must run additional wire...

A bathroom with no outlet - is probably small. So, it might not be to difficult to run some new wire if you have too...

Pick up a Wiring/Lighting book at your local Hardware store. Do some reading, and you can do this job yourself.
joed
14 years ago
If you only have two wires in the switch box then you can't do it. You have a switch loop. There is no neutral.
Related Discussions
Help with light switch, outlet, thermostat, towel ring placement
Q
Comments (6)
I'd want the light switch to be at the "standard switch height" for your house. That way there is no searching the wall for the switch in the darkness. Or out of habit. I'd not want the towel hanging on the ring/bar to cover anything up. Nor would I want the wire from whatever is plugged into the outlet to be in the way of any switch or to get tangled with the towel. Will things be permanently plugged into it? Or will it be "time of use" only? That can make a difference. With the Thermostat most likely being the least used and if it can't be set at the same height as the light switch, I'd set that a bit higher up on the wall than the light switch/fan switch combo, but aligned vertically with it. Personally, I prefer fan/light combo timer switches. A single switch controls both. You turn the switch on, the light and the fan come on. You turn the switch off, the light turns off immediately but the fan runs for an additional preset time. If you did that, you could put your fan/light switch and outlet in a dual gang box at the appropriate switch height. Put the thermostat in its own single-gang box a little higher on the wall, but aligned vertically with the switch box. Below that, at a height high enough to keep your draped hand towels off the countertop (if I understand your situation I think it's hand towels), but low enough to deconflict with the outlet, place the towel bar/ring. I'd use painters tape and mock up the locations and see how they work. Unless I'm really misunderstanding your description, I don't think "how they look" will be an issue. "New things" sometimes look weird to the un-used to it eyeball. Once you get used to the look, all will be well. So prioritize substance or functionality over style.
...See More
Installing tile backsplash around outlets and light switches
Q
Comments (17)
I'd vote box extenders, as for shimming or whatever, if the tiles are cut just like the drywall would be, the ears of the switches and outlets should rest on the tile, bringing them out to the right level. I just re-installed outlets and switches in a bathroom when I tiled it, and noticed that the cover plate screws hit the tiles before the plates were properly tightened down. This could crack the tiles if they got tightened too much, so you may want to notch the tiles where the cover plate screws are going to be. In the end, I used a dremel with a rotary tile file, which did the trick.
...See More
Mock up layout of light switches, outlets, lights, etc. Thoughts?
Q
Comments (0)
So I just went over my floor plans in MS Paint, very tedious endeavor to make a layout of all the light switches, outlets, lights, etc but its done. Should I take away/add anything? Hows it look? House is 2063 sq ft, everything finished in the basement except mech room.
...See More
light switch color light switches
Q
Comments (8)
It depends on one's design approach and concept. I have always like switch plates and other similar devices to be inconspicuous, and not call attention to themselves, since I've long believed that there are many more important things in interior design than these "service" items. Thus, I always try to make the colors consistent and closely match the wall colors or other surfaces where they may be installed. No gold or mirrors please, unless those are the materials inside your home...
...See More
hendricus
14 years ago
You can put a new outlet right below the new light fixture. The wiring for both is contained in the old fixture. When you take the old one down, study the wires for the light and outlet and move to the new ones.
kudzu9
14 years ago
With all due respect, if you are asking this question, you should get help from a friend who understands wiring or get an electrician. I'm all for people doing their own work, but, since electricity can kill you or start fires if not done right, you need to be cautious. If you can get a book from the library on wiring and understand what's going on, then good. Otherwise, play it safe, please.
clwguy
Original Author
14 years ago
I agree and that's why i posted here first.

Yes there is a hot wire in the switch box. Thanks for the answers. I will read up on it further before attempting.
hendricus
14 years ago
There is always a hot wire going to the switch and in the switch box. What is missing at times is a neutral wire and white wires on a switch are NOT neutral wires.
dave777_2009
14 years ago
"There is always a hot wire going to the switch and in the switch box."

Gee - you may want that to 'always' be the case - but it is definitely NOT always the case.

What is ALWAYS the case - is that a regular light switch (not a three way, four way, etc.) is always in Series with the light.

Yes, it would be good, to have the HOT controled by the switch... but for example, years ago - I got zapped by a light - because the Hot was gong to the lamp, neutral to the switch... and I was an idiot and hadn't killed the power at the breaker...

Anyway - in a bathroom which has its only outlet on the lamp - it seems a good bet to me - that we are probably dealing with knob & tube wiring... I have seen some wierd electrical in my days... so I try not to assume.

But adding a GFCI outlet; is definitely something the average person can do - after some careful reading.
hendricus
14 years ago
What is ALWAYS the case - is that a regular light switch (not a three way, four way, etc.) is always in Series with the light.

3 and 4 way are also in series.

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Bright Ideas for Fun Light Switches

By Meaghan Mountford

Give walls a unique spin with the kookiest switch plates and outlet covers you ever did see

DECORATING GUIDES Homeowners Are Flipping for Push-Button Light Switches

By Rachel Grace

Button-style switches are hot off the presses again, making news in new homes and antique remodels

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Install a Dimmer Switch

By Mary Jo Bowling

New project for a new year: Take control of your lighting to set the right mood for entertaining, dining and work

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Hide Those Plugs and Switches

By Jason Ball Interior Design

5 ways to camouflage your outlets — or just make them disappear

HOME TECH Switch On the Phone-Controlled Home

Lock your front door from afar, let your thermostat set itself and more when you use your phone as a control device

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Switch to a Tankless Water Heater

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

New project for a new year: Swap your conventional heater for an energy-saving model — and don’t be fooled by misinformation

GARDENING GUIDES How to Switch to an Organic Landscape Plan

By Falon Mihalic

Ditch the chemicals for a naturally beautiful lawn and garden, using living fertilizers and other nontoxic treatments

DECORATING GUIDES Switching Up a Colonial Home to Suit a Modern Family

By Becky Harris

Floor plan labels are thrown out the window as a designer helps a family shape rooms to fit the way they live

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Blanket Switch-Out

Store those light summer throws and cozy up with our warm and wonderful cold-weather blankets

Sponsored

More Discussions

How to place outlets within 24" of a sink (with dishwashers)

27

Does NEC require a DUPLEX receptacle in kitchen?

2

Killing electric outlet behind cabinet

4

Why would only one outlet be working and no others on the same breaker

4

Feeder Wire - Wire Insulation is slightly under lug. Is this an issue?

2