thegallery
Member
Hi. I have a garage light switch that is 40 years old and failing. (please see photos). It's a 15amp circuit. The circuit also leads to two outlets upstairs. I know the line seems to be comfortable handling most of my shop tools because I’ve used an outlet on the circuit next to the garage light fixture. However I’d like to put a new outlet down next to the switch too. I don’t care if it’s a switched outlet or not, whatever is simplest.
I happen to have a GFI outlet and thought I might use that. I don’t know if I can or if that complicates anything? But being that this outlet will be used very close to the door it may be useful to have extra protection if it’s offered.
The problem is I’m not sure how to add the outlet. If you notice in the picture there are 3 lines that come into the box. One presumably is from the breaker box, one goes to the light fixture, and one travels upstairs to the other outlets. Right now all the white wires from these 3 lines are just linked together, while two black lines go on one terminal of the switch and one goes on the other. (single pole)
So I have replaced the box with a double box, and replaced the switch and wired it exactly as I found the previous switch. All is fine. But I’m not sure how to add the outlet? I’m not sure if I need to use the ‘load’ terminals either. I wonder if any of you can tell me the correct way to add this GFI, or a regular outlet? I’m assuming I can just take a black and white link to them, but I’m not sure if that’s all I do, or if I have to use the load to go back to the circuit somehow?
It’s been a while since I’ve done electric. But I have done plenty in the house before, replacing virtually every other switch and outlet and adding a couple new lines and circuits. I got some great books and had everything checked out by an electrician, and I had my box upgraded by an electrician. But in all the books I have now I don’t see circuit; the extra line is confusing me. So I wonder if you can safely tell me the solution? Thanks very much!
I happen to have a GFI outlet and thought I might use that. I don’t know if I can or if that complicates anything? But being that this outlet will be used very close to the door it may be useful to have extra protection if it’s offered.
The problem is I’m not sure how to add the outlet. If you notice in the picture there are 3 lines that come into the box. One presumably is from the breaker box, one goes to the light fixture, and one travels upstairs to the other outlets. Right now all the white wires from these 3 lines are just linked together, while two black lines go on one terminal of the switch and one goes on the other. (single pole)
So I have replaced the box with a double box, and replaced the switch and wired it exactly as I found the previous switch. All is fine. But I’m not sure how to add the outlet? I’m not sure if I need to use the ‘load’ terminals either. I wonder if any of you can tell me the correct way to add this GFI, or a regular outlet? I’m assuming I can just take a black and white link to them, but I’m not sure if that’s all I do, or if I have to use the load to go back to the circuit somehow?
It’s been a while since I’ve done electric. But I have done plenty in the house before, replacing virtually every other switch and outlet and adding a couple new lines and circuits. I got some great books and had everything checked out by an electrician, and I had my box upgraded by an electrician. But in all the books I have now I don’t see circuit; the extra line is confusing me. So I wonder if you can safely tell me the solution? Thanks very much!