How to Install a Combination Switch & Receptacle
A combination switch and receptacle combines both a switch and a receptacle on a single mounting strap in a single-gang electrical box. These devices come in several configurations. The receptacle is either a conventional polarized, 110-volt receptacle or it may be a Ground Fault Current Interruption (GFCI) protected receptacle. The switch portion is either a single-pole or a three-pole switch. There must be a neutral conductor in the box to use one of these devices. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- AWG #14, black solid copper wire
- AWG #14, white solid copper wire
- AWG #14, bare solid copper wire
- Yellow wire nuts
- Green wire nuts
- Black, plastic electrical tape
- Combination switch and receptacle
- Cover plate
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Phillip's-head screwdriver
- Diagonal pliers/wire cutters
- Lineman pliers
- Wire strippers
- Needle nose pliers
- Plug-in GFCI receptacle tester
Instructions
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How-To
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1
Turn off the breaker to the circuit that you will be working on. Check the circuit at the device box with the non-contact voltage tester to make sure that the power is off. We are going to install a combination switch and receptacle in a single-gang box next to the bathroom sink. The box currently holds a single-pole switch controlling the light bar over the medicine cabinet. The National Electric Code, Article 210.8(A)(1), requires all bathroom receptacles to be GFCI protected, so we will select a device that combines a GFCI receptacle with a single-pole switch.
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2
Remove the switch cover plate and remove the two screws securing the switch to the electrical box. Pull the switch from the box. Disconnect the wiring from the switch and separate the spliced neutral and the white insulated wire. Temporarily cap the conductors with wire nuts.
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3
Turn the circuit breaker on and use the non-contact voltage tester to determine which wires are the hot wires. Turn the circuit breaker off.
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4
Make a pigtail splice to the two bare grounding conductors using a 6-inch piece of bare copper wire. Place the ends of the two bare conductors entering the box against the pigtail and twist them together in a clockwise direction using the lineman pliers. Screw on a green wire nut. Form a loop in the free end of the pigtail and place this loop around the dark colored, hex-head screw in a clockwise direction. Connect the black hot wire to the brass-colored screw on the line side of the GFCI receptacle and the white wire to the silver-colored screw.
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5
Cut a 6-inch piece of black wire and strip three-fourths of an inch of insulation from each end. Form a clockwise loop in each end of this wire and connect it between the brass-colored screw on the "Load" side of the GFCI receptacle and one side of the switch. Connect the white wire going to the light bar to the silver colored screw on the load side of the GFCI receptacle. Connect the black wire from the light to the other brass screw on the toggle switch.
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6
Check your connections. Wrap tape over the connections and install the device in the electrical box.
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7
Turn on the circuit breaker and test the circuit. Turn the toggle switch on and off. Does the light bar turn on and off properly? If it doesn't light, press the reset button on the GFCI receptacle. Some of these devices ship in the "Tripped" position. The light should work properly. Plug the GFCI receptacle tester into the receptacle and press the test button on the tester. The GFCI reset button should pop out into the tripped position. If it doesn't, you need to check the "Line" and "Load" connections on the back of the GFCI receptacle. One or more of the wires have been reversed.
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