Switchable Outlet

• Always make sure the power is SHUT OFF by turning off the breaker in the circuit breaker box or by removing a fuse in a fusebox. Note: fuseboxes are not as common as circuit breaker boxes.
• Test outlet. Plug a working radio or lamp into the outlet (make sure they are turned on). When the radio or lamp turns off, you will know the power is off.

Supplies for Electrical Home Improvement to Hook Up a Switchable Outlet

Home Improvement Instructions for Adding a Switch to Control an Outlet

Decide which outlet you want to control.


2. Decide where would be a logical place to install the switch for the switchable outlet.


3. Measure for and trace around the outlet switch box on the wall where the switch is to be installed.


4. Using a utility knife or drywall saw, gently cut out the hole in the drywall being careful not to overcut any of the traced pencil lines.


5. Examine the route that the romex wire needs to take to travel from the new switch to the outlet to be switched.


6. Drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom or top wall plate located in the wall above or below the new switch. This will mean going into the attic or the basement/crawlspace and finding the exact location.


7. Now start "fishing" the romex wire through the hole in the wall where the switch goes, down or up the interior of the wall, through the 3/4" hole you drilled in the plate and then onward towards the outlet.


8. When estimating the length of romex wire required, be sure to over estimate the length. You can always cut the wire off at any length needed later.


9. Make sure the power is off to this outlet.


10. Remove the outlet plate and the outlet from the new switchable outlet.


11. Fish the romex wire through a knockout hole in the outlet box.


12. Strip the wire as per the diagram below, so that you can hook this wire to the switchable outlet. (See below).




13. Unhook the black wire from the outlet screw. Straighten the wire out. Using a yellow scotchlok connector, connect the two black wires.



14. Attach the white wire to the right hand side of the outlet, which is the side you saw the existing black wire connected to.


15. Attach the ground wire to the ground wire screw on the outlet.


16. Gently push the outlet back into the box.


17. Re-attach the screws holding the outlet to the box.


18. Screw the outlet plate cover back on the outlet.


19. Go back to the new switch area.


20. Strip the wires like you did at the outlet. See picture above in line 12.


21. Fish these wires through the knockout in the new switch box and pull it until the wire extends out about 7".


22. Now push the box into the hole.


23. Using box holders place them such that they hold the box tightly into the wall by following the directions on their package.


24. Grab a single pole switch and find the two screws where you will hook the wires to.


25. Attach one black and one white wire to each screw by bending the end of the wire.


26. Install the switch to the box in the wall.


27. Attach the switch plate.


28. Turn the power back on and flip the switch.


29. The outlet will ONLY be "hot" when the switch is turned on.