How To EASILY Add An Outlet In Any Room Using A Light Switch!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Have you ever needed to add an outlet to a room? How did you go about doing it? And would this have made it easier? I really appreciate the feedback!

[@KE5ZZO]

Good tip leave outlet tester in while flip on light switch…. I 2 situations where outlet tested correct with nothing plugged in but plug in washing machine and it flipped hot and neutral… and different outlet. Plug in oil scent warmer and it killed power to outlets

[@SalemAbuOmar]

sometimes the light switch dont have neutral line

[@nothankyou5524]

Not with a wago or an ideal, that's for sure. Your stuff is great!!

[@rayray8687]

You screwed the new J-box into basically nothing. It will fall off the wall the second or third time you pull an appliance plug out of it. There are metal boxes designed for retro work that a can be screwed securely into the stud. This is the kind of uninformed workmanship that kept my company in business for decades.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@rayray8687 what are you talking about? It wasn’t screwed into anything. It’s an old work box that has wings on it that tighten down onto the sheet rock like a vice. It will last as long as the house does. You sure you had an electrical company?

[@imredojcsany9877]

Good video, but its worth mentioning that not all switch outlets will have a neutral available in them, especially in older homes they would use 2 wire to cary a hot and a switch leg from the lighting outlet.

[@SalemAbuOmar]

same my comment

[@narlycharley]

This should be at the top. Most older homes will run power from the box in the ceiling.

[@bthamus8334]

Just pull another wire through the pipe. Use a fish tape... Remember to stay 80% of the pipe. Take your time, do a good job. Easy. Residential in Chicago requires it to be piped out per the NEC. EZ-PZ. Same if you want to run extra switch leads to say a ceiling fan to control a light, etc... Just run a extra wire. What seems to be the problem?😏😼

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Exactly! What is the purpose of running the neutral to the switch in the first place? Lot of wasted wire in my opinion.

[@bthamus8334]

@@Watchyn_Yarwood They are replacing the switch with an outlet.

[@aurvaroy6670]

Great video. I do have a tip for identifying the hot wire in any electrical box without having to go back and forth flipping a breaker. So when the power is off, you can test continuity between the neutral and ground wires for each cable in the box. The cable that feeds power into the box will always have continuity between its neutral and ground wires since they're bonded together at the panel. Any other cables in the box will obviously not have this continuity. Once I learned about this trick, I always do this whenever I need to identify a hot wire in a box I work on since it saves me time and makes me feel safer not having to energize any exposed wiring.

[@johnrodgers6768]

These are absolutely the best DIY electrical videos I have ever seen. After watching a number of these, I'm going to pull my past work and double-check everything. Love the WAGO connectors, never saw those before -

[@AR-up4xe]

Thanks, very helpful video. It would also be nice to see how you would go about adding an outlet downstream of the switch. Especially how you would fish the wiring through several studs or even around a corner of an adjacent wall.

[@crazydoglady5]

VERY clear and detailed on how to do it and what not to do. I am still learning electrical. Its alot for my pea brain. The best I can do is change out an outlet. switch or electrical outlet.

[@billhandymanbill2775]

Nice step-by-step video. Some suggestions: be very careful when cutting in the “old work” electrical box into the drywall as the “Romex” non-metallic plastic jacketed electrical cable may be stapled to the 2x4 wood stud and you don’t want to damage that cable. Yes, in older homes, you may not have a neutral in the switch electrical box because the electrician first brought the supply power cable into the ceiling light electrical box and then ran a “switch leg” to the electrical switch, something that is rarely, if ever done, today. No, you cannot use the ground wire as the return neutral even though they are both connect together in the panel per the NEC (National Electrical Code). Be careful when using a “old work” electrical box next to a stud as if it is too close to the wooded stud since one of the two fold out drywall wings may not fully open up since it may hit the 2x4 stud. For convenience and to meet NEC requirements, I always leave 6” of wire past the electrical box to make my electrical connections. It should be noted that this video uses “Romex” wiring and not the original “BX” spiral armor electrical cable which is found in older homes and in homes in older cities like Chicago and possible New York City.

[@billhandymanbill2775]

Also, you should not use an oscillating “multi-tool” to cut the drywall since you accidentally and quickly cut an electrical cable, water pipe, gas pipe whereas the “jab saw” give you better control to feel around albeit it is much slower in cutting!

[@mrmcdermo]

Great tutorial. Alas, I live in the Chicago metro area and everything has to be conduit or BX (only allowed for runs less than 30” I think). No romex allowed. Soooo annoying for DIYers.

[@What1zTyme]

Great lesson/seminar/demonstration.. well done! Thank you for your hard work and clear explanations!

[@clarencewiles963]

The combos work great for my vacuum in our hallway one outlet and ready to go.

[@hmj.seward2015]

A few weeks ago I did these steps to add another receptacle in the bathroom to run an LED strip nightlight. I jumped off the dining room light switch which was on the other side of the wall inline with where I wanted to put the receptacle. I believe that light was wired backwards because when the LED lights come on, so does the dining room light. When the dining room light is on, the LED's won't come on. The power goes first to the light then to the switch (only 2 wires in the box when I opened it- black and white). To fix this I believe I would need to rewire first to the switch, then to the light. This video certainly would have come in handy when doing that. I did, however, also add another receptacle in the living room off of one in the kitchen and that one works fine, as well as the light above the sink which is hardwired to a switch.

[@paulhughes3961]

Awesome information, I know a little about electrical but never thought about using waygo clips .

[@Hengry-uw7gi]

Yes 👍 you explain things very well & make easy for the viewers . New sub

[@chifan7]

Excellent video. Very clear and straight forward. Thank you.

[@scottallberry]

Ive watched a lot of your videos. Great reference material for a diy person. I bought a new house and shortly after noticed a lot of outlets had no tension and plugs just fell out. I watched your videos, felt confident and replaced nearly every outlet. No issues, used wagos, and it turned out well. The only thing i had difficulty with was managing the wires in the box. The wago didnt particularly take up much room, but the added wires to correct stacked wires on terminals just ate up every bit of space. Are new boxes bigger now than they used to be or are their tricks to getting the wires folded up behind the outlets?

[@JersayPedro]

Your switch/receptacle suggestion made me realize: if i was building a new home or adding on a room, I'd call for them at all switches. Having a higher receptacle is convenient for things like vacuum cleaners or corded tools that are used then removed. I don't think there's much of a visial appeal tradeoff considering the added convenience.

[@marklewus5468]

Interesting video for beginners, but what about those of us who live in houses built in the 80s or before where there is no neutral in the switch box? Ie, hot+neutral at the lamp, hot + switched at the swiitch box?

[@geesharp6637]

Link to your Sheathing Stripper? Great video. I have a small hallway at the bottom of the stairs in basement with no receptacle. Now I have options.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Yes definitely does open up another possibility to adding outlets and not having to do a lot of work cutting out drywall and drilling holes in studs to get wiring to another outlet. Thank you very much for reminding me to add the sheathing stripper! I knew I was forgetting something. I added a link to it in the video's description! Thank you again for the reminder and for the feedback!

[@JersayPedro]

Two questions: 1. I usually would pigtail as you showed at the switch, but is it a code violation to backstab the new hot wire connecting into the switch by backstabbing it into the same location as the hot wire at the switch? I've heard people say backstabbing isn't safe overall, but if that's the case, why are manufacturers allowed to sell them in the USA? 2. Decades ago an electrician told me that a pro can tell if a homeowner has been messing around with a receptacle or switch by looking at the screw on the cover plate. Supposedly, pros will always leave the screw in a vertical position. Is that still true? It looks like you practice that. Very informative videos!

[@frogfoot198]

A better video for me is adding a light switch to both sides of the closet door. My closet has a light switch on the outside of the master closet but I'd like to have one on the inside as well. This would require using two three way switches too I believe. Thanks for all your videos.

[@williamput3154]

Always pinch the hook of solid wire together just in case the screws loosen. Same thing if you use crimp on fork terminals.

[@bobcosgrove3235]

If the screw loosens you have bigger problems. If properly torqued it should not loosen. If the screw loosens you can get arcing or the connection can get overheated due to resistance causing a fire.

[@billmcmaster7909]

Good video, however you didn't explain how you secured the Romex going out of the switch box?

[@bobcosgrove3235]

He didn't and that's a code violation.

[@imredojcsany9877]

@billmcmaster7909 your not required by code to support cable being run in an existing wall, because you couldn't without opening the drywall.

[@civildk9077]

This method also works for putting an outlet on the 'other side' of the wall, in the same location between the studs.

[@Baumer747]

You wired a regular outlet. Would it be different if you added, or wanted to add, a GFCI outlet?

[@sim539]

You are the best !!! God Bless You and your channel ❤

[@joejoewhite7552]

Great video thanks

[@cdarrigo]

Can you do a video on adding additional receptacles into an existing circuit. I want to add to outlets in my basement and tie in to an existing circuit. I don't want to have to install another breaker into my box, mostly because that scares the hell out of me

[@jamesglach3229]

I think you should have mentioned that you could connect the hot wire from the receptacle to the other switch terminal (via a pigtail) to have a switched outlet.

[@tomlaffey924]

Does the outlet stayed powered when switch is off, of does it need to be in the on position?

[@alexosorio4889]

Great tutorial video. Thank you

[@michaeliavecchia9555]

most mechanics will use a widow sash chain. it's stronger and has holes so you can attach the conductors through then before you tape. not all walls are that open.

[@stuw5910]

Wow, as a brit used to very safe 'ring' mains circuits and far lower power capacity radial lighting circuits this scares the heck out of me and would breach all safety regs in UK. Are there many electrical related house fires in US?

[@Lola_Santoro]

I love your channel!

[@mikemcmenamin9226]

What about the code that says the wire should have a staple at 6" from the box.?

[@samsonjpedroza]

EXCELLENT TUTORIAL !!! A+

[@hankaaron3942]

Best guidance ever! Nice channel, new subscriber for life.

[@dastickyone5822]

Very helpful

[@kevinvt4174]

A lot of light switches don't have neutrals in the box they are just breaking the hot wire also don't be surprised if it doesn't have ground either.

[@edreitmartinez9127]

I would like to use a switch receptacle cambo i just need instructions how to hook it up my parents bathroom has lights in ceiling and the wall with the mirror controlled by a two lights switch combo

[@johnconnors7000]

Most new homes with overhead lighting do not have a neutral going to the switch. They use the “down on the black up on the white” method . Good video but this should be mentioned and looked for.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

They did that on older homes. Most homes now have the neutral in the box.

[@flatroc1]

Thats all good but Often find, the power is taken straight to the light fixture and only a 2 wire positive wire is dropped down to the switch, leaving no negative wire in the switch box.

[@B0bby.315]

Never seen those Wago connectors before. Sick

[@smittyone66]

great video

[@waynerosenthal6737]

Thanks!

[@brucesamuelson7541]

Great, but oftentimes there's no neutral wire in a switch box. It does have a ground which is the same as neutral, so is it within code to combine them going to the outlet?

[@imredojcsany9877]

@brucesamuelson7541 no it is not ok to use your ground as a neutral. The neutral is a current carying conductor. Although they both return to ground at your service, if you connect a neutral to the ground you run the risk of energizing the metal components of everything on that circuit.

[@bobcosgrove3235]

No. A ground is not the same as a neutral

[@brucesamuelson7541]

@@imredojcsany9877 Question: What are the 3 service wires coming into a home? Answer: two hots and 1 common/neutral/ ground all the same thing. A ground is added to the box for safety

[@imredojcsany9877]

​@brucesamuelson7541 as i said in my first comment, yes they are all bonded at your panel. The reason for a separate ground is to cause a short if the line side of a circuit were to come in contact with any metal part of an appliance. Without it the metal could become energized without tripping the breaker. Neutral wires carry current back to ground, thats why they are insulated and grounds are not.

[@brucesamuelson7541]

@imredojcsany9877 As I'm not a certified electrical engineer and it's called alternating current for a reason I'll take your word on it. I've wired whole houses always keeping them separate with no issues. I've never ran a new outlet from a switch as most have no neutral and outlets and lights are always on separate breakers in modern applications. Thanks for the info, have a pleasant evening

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

I have a question. Why is there a neutral wire in the switch box? The switch switches the hot wire. I put a junction box in the attic. I cut a length of romex to go from the junction box to the switch. I put black tape on each end of the white wire in this length that goes to the switch. I then splice this length of wire into the black wire in the attic junction box, leaving the white wire that comes from the breaker panel intact in the junction box.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Because that’s how most homes are wired now. Older homes though oftentimes won’t have a neutral in the box as it’s at the light fixture. So if that is the case, obviously you wouldn’t be able to do this.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

@@HowToHomeDIY But is it required under NEC? I have spent the last hour or so searching and I found nothing in NFPA 70 that requires it. I read 210.7 and 404 and unless I am missing something, which is a good possibility, it's not there. I am NOT a licensed electrician. I subcontract fire and security system design and build under electrical contractors so I have access to NFPA 70. I do my own electrical work and have for years and honestly, this is the first I have ever seen of a neutral ran into the switch box and tied off. I just asked out of curiosity and further education. I have learned a lot from your videos and look forward to many more. Thank you!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@Watchyn_Yarwood check out NEC 404.2 (C). There are some exceptions but generally they don’t come into play in residential. This code really got enacted in 2011 as more and more homes are using occupancy sensors and smart switches and for those to work they usually need a neutral. Appreciate the feedback! I’ve seen you in the comments before. Thanks for contributing to the community!

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

@@HowToHomeDIY 👍

[@Sparky-57]

Look in NEC 404.2(c) code now requires it.

[@cdarrigo]

I'm confused. When do I use a old work box versus a new work box?

[@Bonkrr]

The 'old work' box doesn't have to be attached to a stud to hold it in place. Instead there are clips that hold it firmly against the drywall. The screws you see at the top and bottom of the old work box pull the clip tight against the front of the box, pinching the drywall in between.

[@zaxmaxlax]

Im surprised this is allowed in the US 😂 your code is more picky than europe, and here its definetly a no go

[@Ni5ei]

Why would there be a neutral inside a light switch box? Maybe that's common in the US but here in Europe there's usually only a live and switch wire. It's a waste of copper to run a neutral to a switch box since it's never going to be used, unless someone ever decides they want an outlet there.

[@thetapper61]

This cannot be done if switch is fed by 14 gauge wire. That is only for lighting and outlets need 12 gauge feed only. Otherwise it is dangerous for possible fire from overloading wire.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Yes it can. That is false. Maybe a local code but not NEC or what is generally installed. Most 15 amp circuits are going to have #14 wire which includes outlets.

[@thomasbelanger8715]

I always thought wires had to be twisted together under a wire cap

[@10forthebigguy753]

As I get older, I prefer outlets that I don’t have to bend over for.

[@enigmawyoming5201]

I must be older than you. I prefer to not need to plug anything into any outlet. My wife, bless her heart, loves to plug into outlets.

[@nothankyou5524]

Me, too. I'm 33.

[@kennethchang1275]

Please tell your viewers this only applies in north America and not in the UK or Europe lighting cable there is too thin for a power outlet.

[@fpostgate]

Too bad most of my original wire is 2 conductor.

[@chrisyoung8062]

you don't address the biggest problem which is how to put the outlet somewhere that requires going through studs. that's the video that I want to see.

[@billd4470]

Sorry, National Electrical Code 300.14 requires 6" of wire out of the electrical box not 3".

[@scorpio8428]

It's 6 in. from where it enters the box, as demonstrated in this video. 300.14 Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions, and Switch Points. At least 150 mm (6 in.) of free conductor, measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the connection of luminaires or devices.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@billd4470 sorry, but did you actually watch the video? What do I actually say? 6” from where it enters the box AND 3” extending past the front of the box. Both are required. So if it’s a deep box you may have more than a total of 6” in order to also have it extend at least 3” from the front.

[@aaronblackford981]

I wish you didn’t pretend it’s always an interior wall. I mean it makes sense as most walls are normally interior. But wouldn’t be best to show the hardest and then just mention you ball string idea for interior but this is how to do exterior

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I mean, I am not really pretending but most of the time the switch is probably going to be an interior wall. And I do mention in the video that the chain method is really only for interior walls without insulation. Fish rods. That is really the best way on an exterior wall that is insulated.

[@rayray8687]

@HowToHome: It might be worth mentioning that the hot lead at a light switch will be white, not black, if the live power goes first to the light fixture J-box and then down to the switch and back. Standard light switches have no need of a neutral wire.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@rayray8687 ok but if that is the case you can’t do this anyways as you need a neutral for the receptacle.

[@rayray8687]

@HowToHomeDIY: That was exactly my point, to inform people up front that this cannot be done from that type of switch wiring. DIYers often think a white wire is automatically neutral and they might be ‘shocked’ to find out different one day…pardon my pun and I’ll see myself out. 😊 Perhaps you can tag that bit of important info into the next video.

[@aaronblackford981]

@@HowToHomeDIY I will try to watch the video again but I don’t recall this edit had you saying fish rods. But merely mentioning it rather than showing us how to do it, and your literally being paid to show us how to do it, do the harder thing that many people have the issue with it. I do love your videos and thank you for doing them. Really no shade. I just need to figure out how to do x better. In this case, why I started watching fourteen commercials, not your fault, and then skipped through.

[@davidpatriot1082]

constructive criticism- I HATE your thumbnails. i find myself not clicking your content when its recommended, but I also find myself clicking dont recommend simply to stop seeing the thumbnails. I think youd do better numbers with different style thumbnails that better match the quality of your content

[@HowToHomeDIY]

They seem to do well for me. Not sure what you think I should be doing differently. I can’t please everyone.

[@davidpatriot1082]

@@HowToHomeDIY I simply think they could be different to better match the high quality of the content you produce. the thumbnails feel hacky and clickbaity and low end but your content is high quality which doesnt warrant that style. just my own advice based on how I respond to certain styles. not even criticizing the titles or the content, just the thumbnail. youre nailing it with everything else

[@KE5ZZO]

1 your demo assumes neutral is present in switch box. If power went to fixture first then only a switch leg was sent to the light switch you will not have a neutral present in the light switch box 2 easiest if convient to use is swap out light switch for a light switch and plug combo. Then you just need that plus a new cover plate 3 don’t double stack hots at switch code violation- yes but is it a code violation if in addition to original use screw terminal for light power. You backstabbed also to power outlet?

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@KE5ZZO Not assuming anything. I touch on this briefly in the video. I talked about the switch outlet combo as an option at the end. Don’t backstab.

[@KE5ZZO]

@@HowToHomeDIYI know don’t back stab but my question was is that against code? Backstab and use screw termination