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February 1, 2008
light switch controlled outlets
After installing several large, heavy shelving units along one wall and spending too many hours getting them shimmed level to account for the uneven floors in an old brownstone, I’ve discovered that the plug behind the unit is attached to the on/off switch for the overhead lighting. In fact, all of the outlets in the room seem to run off of this switch. Both plugs in each outlet work this way, it’s not like one of them is switched and the other always live. The goal was to incorporate the stereo and computer into this wall unit but I’d like to be able to use them without the overhead lighting needing to be on. Likewise, with the other plugs in the room I like the idea of having a reading lamp that turns on and off with a wall switch but this is pointless if the overhead lighting also goes on and off at the same time.
Is it likely that an electrician could come in and fix this problem at the on/off switch or is it more likely that he/she would need to access each outlet, including the one that is now buried behind the shelves? The thought of pulling them apart and starting over with the shimming does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Yes, I probably should have dealt with this before I put up the shelves but we just moved in and the lights were coincidentally always on when I was testing the plugs. I removed the face plate on the switch but there were enough unlabeled wires behind it to make me think playing amateur electrician was not a great idea.
Comments
Aren't these discoveries wonderful? I had a similar issue. I ended up putting a ceiling fan with lights in the overhead fixture. The fan has separate pull chains for the lights and the fan function. You could just leave the switch on.
When moving in I had an electrician in to resolve load issues on lines and breakers to make sure no circuits were overloaded with modern appliances. Sounds like a consult with electrician give everything a look over if you are not sure of the condition and wire mapping is a good idea.
I use WCK Electric, but there are other good recommendations on this site.
-1910
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 3:54 PM
Im no electrician, but it seems that all of your power goes to the switch, and is cut on or off at that switch. I think that the electrician would need to work only at the switch and rewire it so that the outlet power bypasses the switch. I would think it's a simple job (unless building code makes is complicated).
Posted by: cornetor at February 1, 2008 4:11 PM
I would recommend Christopher John electrical they are Great and they clean up any mess that they may make , and they will also check you panel box for you. I'm sure they could help you call them 718-389-9898
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:20 PM
OP here.
I think that idea works if there are separate wires leading from the switch to the outlets and the overheads but that wasn't immediately apparent. If I just bypass the switch entirely than I lose the ability to turn the overheads on and off.
I guess a consult with an electrician as 3:54 suggests probably would be the smart move as the switch controls a whole bank of recessed lighting, not something that can be easily swapped out. Does anyone know what it would cost to just have somebody come in and take a look at the situation? Totally clueless on how much these things cost as I've never owned before and consequently always had a super I could call to fix these problems.
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:21 PM
Really depends on home much work they have to do. If they need to rewire it depends on what floor and how long the wire needs to run. If they can just redirect the lines, less work and cost.
It's always good to get more than one estimate initially. You may get different opinions. Getting multiple quotes also lets you get a feel for the electricians too since you are just starting out. Get an itemized list with costs so you understand what costs what.
Also you do really want to establish a relationship with electricians, plumbers, handymen etc when/if more work or emergencies arise. Try also to get someone who will show you what they are doing - not to say you will do it yourself but you will understand the process and vocabulary for next time.
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:46 PM
Many electricians don't charge to come in to give an estimate. check first.
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 4:48 PM
Not an ideal solution, but a very cheap one-- it wouldn't be a big deal to install a pull string switch on your ceiling light fixture.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 1, 2008 5:16 PM
The key is understanding how your ceiling light/fan is getting power. If it is in series off of one of these outlets, you job is more complex since you want the overhead light to be controlled by the switch.
If the wires to the ceiling light and the room outlets are independent and simply tied together at the light switch, rewiring the hot lead (usually black) that goes to the outlets so that it is not controlled by the switch could be very easy.
Looking at and understanding the wires in at the light switch box is key. It might be a 10-minute job if you are in luck.
By the way, national electric code requires a light switch to control either an overhead light or at least half of one room outlet so that you can control light at the room entrance. New York City code should be consistent in this respect.
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 5:39 PM
You are screwed and you wasted a lot of time. Sucks to be you.
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 6:45 PM
Besides all that your crooked piece of s--t house is next to a 250 foot tall job Scarano is going to build. How funny is that????
Posted by: guest at February 1, 2008 8:03 PM
You can also get a screw-in wireless socket for the light bulb (if there's room in the fixture), with a separate independent switch that turns it on/off. The real switch, which you do not have to modiify, is always on.
Google wireless light switch or http://www.buyhardwaresupplies.com/?t=5&m=g1&itemNumber=3006806
Posted by: cmu at February 2, 2008 11:06 AM
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