Easiest Way To Wire a Light Switch and Outlet In the Same Box

In this video I show you how I wired a light switch and outlet in the same box. Having or adding an outlet to a light switch box can be a nice combo and especially helpful in shops and garages, but many also add them to various rooms throughout their house. This is in my opinion the best and easiest way to wire them both together!
Items I Used In The Video:
Linesman Pliers: amzn.to/3JJC6Dt
Wire Strippers: amzn.to/3LxTT1h
Wire Nut Assortment: amzn.to/3uwOj87
Klein Non Contact Voltage Detector: amzn.to/3wCmSws
Klein Magnetic Screwdriver: amzn.to/36IYfDs
GFCI Weather Resistant Outlet: amzn.to/36HAb3P
Single Pole Light Switch: Cheapest at your local home improvement store.
Thank you for watching and for subscribing. You can support the channel at no cost to you by using one of the above affiliate links. This helps support the channel for new content!
Blessings,
Adam
How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

[@StefenTower]

One of the most thorough explanations of a DIY task I've seen. Thank you - this *really* helps me.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!

[@davisgunner6687]

Love setting the cover screws the same direction. True professional job. ( I look for this in all the homes I have been in). ALSO.. In a new home check ALL the outlets with a circuit tester. Even in a hospital you can find bad wired outlets.

[@brendantwlthewolflover6653]

Omg! I’m so glad you brought that up! Tho my OCD can’t stand any outlet that is either crooked, not probably flush with the wall, or revealing the cutout for the box. Also, my tiny house is all wired up and all my outlet screws are in the same direction. That too I can’t stand. My ocd kicks in when I see an outlet with the screws not in uniform. My parents house has a lot of outlets that look like a 2 year old put together. 😂 It’s terrible. Like if I was able to redo all the electrical stuff, the house would probably be worth a bit more. Just saying, whoever did the electrical work did a crappy job. To me, if you put your heart and soul into your work, it’ll make a much bigger change than you expect. Ya know?

[@scottieruck]

I’m no electrician, by any stretch. I only change fixtures and that’s about it. However, I am handy and do as many house projects as I can on my own, but this is an area I always said I’ll call pros for. This video was simple, easy to follow, and made sense. It helped give me confidence to take on my shed project. My new shed has a power supply running to it, but nothing else. I wanted a light and and outlet. This was perfect! Thanks again!

[@leonardoristori]

Anyone else noticed he's using a square bit to drive the phillips screws? First time I see this, now I have to try it!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I have a video on the channel about it and some even better options out there now.

[@rbtsplcsndme]

It's not a Phillips screw. Some call it a quadrex.

[@honestdon123456]

Robertson bit

[@robbynv9900]

Great video, and very detailed. I love how you took your time and explained everything so we could follow along.

[@dieterheinrich8377]

This was my Bible today. Thank you. Very well done video, clear and concise.

[@brucemixburns333]

Excellent video bud keep doing what you're doing I'm a handyman/drywaller and sometimes electrical gets on my nerves but you completely simplified that whole process

[@problemsulfer]

I love your videos. Very logical, very structured. Straight to the point.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I am really glad to hear that you are finding value on the channel. Thanks a ton for the feedback and hope to see you around the channel on some other videos!

[@markshively1365]

Awesome video, easy to follow. As a DIYer I appreciate these step by step videos, every question was answered. Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! Really glad to hear you liked it and found value in the video. Thanks a lot for the invaluable feedback Mark!

[@brngrofdeth]

Very nice and thorough explanation! Love and blessings from Ontario Canada!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I am glad you think so! Love and blessings to you too!

[@iHeartIndieGames]

Watched quite a few videos and I thought that this one was thorough and covered things that a newbie wouldn't know... like the little hole on the wire stripper. Thank you!!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome. Really glad to hear that the tips were helpful for you. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@scottyg8965]

Very appreciative thank you- added a light with outlet in shed powered by exterior RV type outlet heavy extension cord and this was perfect!

[@bobkarolak935]

This is one of the best videos on an extended GFI outlet & Switch to light ceiling! You are an excellent teacher and great detail instructions. Thank You!!

[@richvechi885]

Thanks! Great video and very thorough! Saved me from burning down the house! I had wired everything but little did I know that the white (natural) and black (hot) lines were reversed. Lets suffice it to say big sparks breakers blew and I had to figure out what went wrong ...I followed your video step by step and so far everything is working ok.

[@donnutter8619]

Had no clue as to how to do our bathroom out/switch followed your video and it worked very helpful, thank you

[@1Calusa]

Excellent demonstration of how to wire an outlet and a switch together. Love your videos!👌

[@danielgreiner6397]

Thank you for the great video! Used the exact same steps to wire in an outdoor gfci outlet, instead of a light at the end, worked perfectly.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Oh perfect! I am glad to hear it was helpful. I also will be adding a GFCI outside soon. Thanks a lot for the feedback.

[@michaelclark4704]

Great job! Very clear, very smart, and very safe. Highly recommended.

[@stanleygavin9903]

Excellent! You’re a terrific teacher. Thanks for making these videos.

[@rogerhurd8741]

You have explained this procedure perfectly. Thank you.

[@ally4675]

Thanks! Really detailed easy to follow instructions. Thanks for showing me the right way!

[@josephcarreoniii6434]

I've watched your video a few times and your explanation is great and easy to understand. I have this same set up at our kitchen sink. I need to install a GFI receptacle in place of what I have now. Thanks again.

[@kasilofmusher]

I used this video and one other by you to add a switch / outlet and a basic light fixture to my walk-in crawl space, and it worked first time, thanks! Great instructions, they make sense.

[@aLaCartePizza]

Had to look once I was done, but not for wiring, but for organization in the box. Tomorrow I'll redo my outlet/ switch to look more neat. Thank you

[@chefrman]

Thank you! Great video tutorial. Just finished wiring an outdoor sensor light, same set up.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear that it sounds like it was able to help you on your project. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@randombarbarian5637]

This video actually helped me set up the same configuration that I just did in my basement... very helpful!

[@rpan5441]

I am always scared of electricity, however after watching your video, I feel quite confident now. Your explanation was very detailed and informative as well. Many thanks. 👍👍

[@alonsocorrujedojr1527]

You are a very good teacher! Thank you! I saved my self some change.

[@rosch99]

You just made my day! It had been a while since I wired anything and I had to do this exact set-up. Followed your example and it worked out perfectly! Thanks, much!

[@kingartsprojects4150]

I am in the process of wiring a panel, lights and receptacles in my newly built garage. I wired the inside lights to a GFI Receptacle just like in this video so now they are all protected. I will put the outside lights on another circuit. Wish me luck on my inspection!

[@psucsi4145]

Oustanding video and narration. Just finished this job thanks to your video and ... everything works! Thank you for posting.

[@francescabeal6224]

Really good video! Information that’s correct, no BS, straight to the point and everything is explained im a thorough and knowledgeable manner. Keep up the great work!

[@johnpicard4909]

Very thorough and clear! Thank you!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are welcome! Glad you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@user-nq5rp8zt2d]

Thanks for your video. I followed your steps and everything came out great. Thanks again and keep up the great job.

[@paulandre560]

Thanks for this great video, very logical explanation throughout! The best that I found on youtube for adding a GFI with a switch for my low amp garden fountain. A+ quality video, its nice to see exactly what you're doing close up compared to other videos that talk through parts. Just a warning to others to take your ring/bracelett/watch off, if it is metal while you're doing electrical work-- I grounded my watch once accidentally on the positive terminal of a car battery when I was 18 (no youtube back then)- hello second degree burn - took some skin off the inside of my wrist and that was with me being able to remove it. With a tight fitting ring you might be talking third degree burn, because it may not come off easy. I realize the panel power is off in the video as he checked all cables and took the correct precautions, but mistakes can happen.

[@johncastle3350]

AWESOMENESS 👌 Took a lunch break to watch this before I started a job. I look like a rock star

[@krisrocker437]

Thanks much! Great video and detailed explanation - just right up to the point where a DIY can understand! Nice job! Can you please do a video on how to connect upper half of the outlet controlled by a switch?

[@melendezvm]

Thank you so much for this. Super helpful.

[@nelsoncaraballo9446]

That was a great idea. I'm going to replace an ancient two line with modern 14/2 at a light switch. May just do this while at it. Thank you for sharing.

[@billreynolds9107]

Thank you! This was very informative and spot on to what I was doing. Thanks again!

[@chaddnichols3607]

Thank You. Been putting this off for almost a year.

[@darylsawdy3910]

Appreciate the help and spelled out installation instructions. Thanks from Milan Tennessee 🇺🇸👍🏻

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad to help! Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@111forestray]

Very good detailed video. Easy to understand. Awesome job!

[@mikerioux7267]

Wad so frustrated on trying to do a project like this one . By following your steps had it wired right in 10 mins. Thanks

[@foregodandcountry6581]

Thank you for being comprehensive!

[@darrellstrom7011]

The best explanation. You get an A+ .

[@MrMountainchris]

This was very helpful and easy to understand. Thanks!

[@sukhcheema121]

Tnx bro you make my life easier

[@clariceduncan23]

Great ! Same comment as below; needed review and your directions were absolutely clear! Thank you

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!

[@gerrymcintosh4477]

Excellent instructions. Thanks for posting.

[@ZussieMakesit]

great explanation!! so happy to have found you! i need to do a loooot of electrical to replace switches and outlets in y mobile home. and the ones in the house are so weird theyre not regular switches & outlets, wish i could show you, i also have to add new electrical boxes because the old ones come in their own box, you could say and I've had a hard time learning which cable is which and what is what. Your video is helping 👍

[@heberclementiii6788]

Finally the video I was looking for . Thanks for this .

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! I am glad to hear it was able to help you. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@honweb]

Excellent Job thank you. Clearly done and easy to follow.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad you like it! I really appreciate the feedback! Thank you.

[@thejnow76]

Video was really well done, easy to understand and well explained.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great review of how it’s done from a tradesman I trust. Thanks for walking us thru this without chit chat. Sincerely, satisfied subscriber.

[@julianneestrada6239]

This is so cool! Thank you for showing us this very detailed video! A+👍👍 👏👏👏

[@samueljohnson3664]

Awesome man, this really helped me and was exactly what I was looking for. 👍🏻

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad it helped! Thanks for the feedback Samuel!

[@danam664]

Worked great!!! Your video helped me to connect my dust collector to the switch since the dust collector itself is mounted high on the wall and the on/off switch is out of reach.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! Glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@lonnieayers5959]

Great video I have a light switch in my bathroom and would like to add a outlet with it this was a big help thanks.

[@larrybecko8701]

Absolutely one of the best tutorials I have seen. Nice Job

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!

[@JoseMartinez-bb2qf]

First and most importantly I love your shirt I have the same one .. thank you for the instructions you are the best I have watched other to no avail... THANK YOU MY FRIEND 🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@0017Bulldog]

OMG...You saved my bacon with this vid. It worked perfectly!!

[@joshmonaco6170]

Nice video. A lot of times I really hate DIY electrical videos because the creator doesn't take the time to properly research what they're doing and teach their viewers unsafe practices. But I was impressed with how you cited codes and even did your homework on why those codes exist. Your work was very neat and professional looking as well. I would be happy if I came to work on a job that you had wired

[@MrKidQueso]

Ditto Josh, the video has great explanation throughout. I don’t know what my camper has for wiring but I believe it has 12 gage, I’ll have to research or try to find an outlet or two that’s is original, the camper got updated by the previous owner and don’t know if it’s to RV code. I guess I should check those as well.

[@joshmonaco6170]

@@MrKidQueso probably. 12 awg is the appropriate size for a 20 amp breaker. The NEC lists the proper gauge wire for all breaker sizes over a set distance and when voltage drop occurs on that gauge (something you shouldn't ever have to worry about on an rv, you just won't ever need to run your wires long enough for it to effect you) and the types of wire that can handle that level of heat (most likely THHN which is what you will want, and is exactly what you'll find at your local hardware store in droves) it can always be kinda scary going in after someone who may not know what they're doing, I might suggest testing things like receptacles and light sockets with your multi meter if you have one, to make sure everything is properly grounded and all the conductors are landed in the right places and bonded correctly at the panel. Any questions you have are probably freely available on the internet and personally I think it's a good idea to Google everything, even if you think you know how to do it properly, there may be something you don't know, and you don't know what you don't know until you know, ya know? 😉 good luck!

[@MrKidQueso]

@@joshmonaco6170 thanks for the response, I’ll take a look at The NEC for clarification. I just ordered the KUS water level sensor and KUS gage, and will be installing it up over the weekend. Thanks again.

[@dannyspring5146]

Couldn’t have done without this video.

[@ChuckRoc]

You explained that so well thanks

[@pesterlig]

Clear & helpful! Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!

[@christopherosgood7206]

Thanks for the video. So far, this is the best tutorial I’ve seen.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I am really glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@jackofalltrades12]

I've had an outlet that would short every time I would flip the switch to on. This fixed my problem. Thank you for the easy to follow video.

[@frankb3929]

Same here what did you do to fix it? I have a single pole switch and receptacle blowing in one room

[@mcnizzle9934]

Awesome vid I’m getting ready to wire in a switch today thanks

[@clayhaddon3968]

Excellent video helped me tremendously thank you

[@tommasogiannetti3703]

Thanks for making these videos, very helpful

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome. Really glad you are liking them. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@jimmyhodge2221]

Great info. Every one should watch

[@RickK-vz2in]

You give great, easy to understand instructions. Do you have a video for wiring a switch outlet combo and a receptacle in the same box? The switch is independent of the 3 outlets and activates one device.

[@dianakiger3027]

wow wow wow!!!! you da man! countless videos and you were the one that explained it so I could follow you., THANK YOU

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear it helped. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@jasonbargmann536]

Thank you.. just what I needed.

[@balrajsokhi6187]

Thanks. Explain very nicely . great help. from Toronto canada

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are welcome. Really glad to hear that you liked it. Hope you all are warming up up there!

[@kurtmiller1683]

Exactly what I needed to see, thank you

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@user-xj6lm5xo9n]

Best damn instructional video on You Tube. You saved my project. Thanks aren’t enough. Keep up the great work! I subscribed.

[@Eddy63]

Good little vid and you have all your plate screws vertical ... Nice pro looking job ... Thx ...

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I personally can't walk away unless they both are vertical. Glad you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Eddy!

[@whitebeardbrewer]

Great video, very informative, Exactly what I was looking for. Any chance to get a wiring diagram posted of your wiring in this video? I have a GFCI (plug 1) that is feeding another plug, (plug 2) I am adding a switch and receptacle (plug 3) for uplighting in my kitchen. Plan is to add the switch in the box with the GFCI (1), run Romex up to a receptacle (3) from the switch and plug in the uplighting to that receptacle (3) above the cabinets. I am assuming my connections would be exactly the same as this video, only I would connect the Load receptacle (2) to the bottom of the GFCI.

[@georgecarmona1817]

Awesome thank you

[@jeanchery7246]

You got me and thanks again l learn something great 👍

[@steveedwards2861]

A couple of newbie questions: 1. Could the switch be wired 'downstream' of the GFCI so you would be protected while changing a broken light bulb? Or (shudder) using a 'light bulb to outlet' adapter? 2. Would it be better to put the receptacle closest to the stud so there is less leverage when pushing/pulling plugs? Also, I would have liked to see a wiring diagram up front so I understood why you needed which color and how many pigtails.

[@marvinwhite6030]

Great video. I have slider dimmer with a power on /off switch. This is for a ceiling fan with light. i no longer want the dimmer part, but there are 3 white wires and 3 black , also the power going to this box also applies two outlets on the other wall. I am having trouble getting the ceiling fan and the outlets to work with a replace switch. can you help

[@chuckquinn8026]

This is the exact same project I’m starting shortly 👍👍

[@odobutler6058]

Thank you!!! You really helped me out!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad I could help! Thanks for the feedback!

[@ronnym1977]

This is exactly how it is done. The only thing I would add to the instructions would be: If your GFCI is not protecting a load, be sure to leave that yellow sticker on it, but I believe the sticker reads that anyway.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Thanks Ronny!

[@toniviudez6371]

Thanks for the video. I want to install some receptacles (outlets) in my new shed. Should I use only GFCI for all the circuits?. Thanks

[@richardknotts5264]

Very clear

[@adamwills5077]

Love your stuff man

[@olboxer4450]

Great video, very detailed & clear, thank you. Can you add an outlet from a 3 way switch? Can one of the travelers serve as a neutral needed for the outlet?

[@elisgonzalez2452]

Your video was very helpful. I will recommend my friend to follow you..

[@louisquero9850]

Excellent video- keep it up...all the best

[@ShawnBo]

Thank you this video helped me!!!!

[@ryoshino]

Great videos, learned a lot, as I have no real experience with writing electricity. If you were continuing on to another outlet from this box, would you just add the outgoing ground to the pigtail bunch ?

[@elpilito1990]

very nice!!!! thank you amigo!!!!!!

[@dmiller3011ify]

This was so much help thx

[@georgecarmona1817]

Will definitely subscribe 👍🏻

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I am glad you liked the video George. Thank you for the feedback and hope to see you around the channel again!

[@tjpit]

Awesome thanks.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@elibomar2174]

Great video. Thanks

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad you liked it! Thanks a lot for the feedback Eli!