Making a simple remote switch

[@Kowzorz]

It is so much more aesthetically pleasing the way you did than any of the alternatives anyway. It makes your machines look that much more professionally made.

[@adammcghee1466]

Yup. This works well. I do it all the time. You can also run lots of switches to a single box mounted under a table or something. Lets you switch on various fans/lights/equipment from one place.

[@hansdietrich83]

I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to find the most antique looking apliances and stuff like that.

[@Monkeyheadtpc]

When I did this, I used surface-mounted plastic fittings. I also added magnets on the back of the switch, so I can stick it to stuff.

[@BMDura]

i haven't worked with wood since i was a kid. im terrible at it. yet i watch every video Matthias puts out.

[@billybobjoe198]

Matthais is a better electrician than I see in 90% of homes. Wire gets wound cw around the screw, bottom screws are line, top are load, and screw down all screws, even unused ones.

[@Furiends]

Metal junction boxes ensure that there is always a shorter path to ground than natural that might be going through you. GFCIs are then used to ensure the ground is a not faulty thereby making to long a path or worse a path for line/phase. Using a plastic box insulates any connections happening inside the box but can melt, distort or crack plus you don't really get any feedback if something shorts until the firealarm goes off because your house is burning down.

[@Wiresgalore]

A neat little tip for using NM clamps on personal non-code-conforming project, mount it in the box with the strain relief screws on the inside of the box. Looks a bit nicer, feels nicer to hold, slightly more relief from bends on the cable, and less likely to catch on something when being shuffled around the shop. Also can make tightening the retaining ring a bit easier, depending on the depth of your metal outlet box :P

[@0vahawaiin]

Just make sure the conductors in your cables (for AWG the smaller the number the larger the conductor) are equal to or greater than the conductors used by your equipment. Same goes for the temperature rating (shown in degrees Celsius) of the insulation. Otherwise you can cause damage to insulation resulting in a short circuit or fire. - Electrician

[@simonrichard9873]

Thanks captain obvious

[@lukerediger8431]

Looks really useful! not an electrician, but studied under one in HS, tip from him I learned: It looks like you might have wound the receptacle ground on counter clock wise, you may want to wind it clock-wise so that when you tighten the screw it winds the wire in tighter rather than looser. I find that's more of an issue with stranded than solid as well. Not that you're supposed to use stranded under screw terminals iirc, though I do it all the time too. I believe you're supposed to pig tail solid off the stranded and put the pig tail on the terminal but I've never had a problem and it clutters up the box.

[@MrMeasureTwice]

I can always count on you to show us a great way to make what you need, and always better quality than store-bought MIC junk (Made In China), and, you can make it to your exact desire or specifications. As always, great no nonsense solutions.

[@mitchelll7846]

i wish i could be half as good at tech as this dude- he makes it look so easy

[@colossalbreacker]

wiring an outlet isn't particularly hard, look it up.

[@gertjanheinen]

Mitchell Liu wiring a outlet socket should be easy.

[@poiiihy]

thats because it is

[@tooltechandmore2221]

Matthias sending you a shoutout from Texas, I enjoy your videos keep up the great work!

[@punkbloater]

Lol, i read "shortout" and had to scroll back to read it again, that was funny. :D

[@deanaoxo]

As always, i never know exactly what people will react to when you post a video, but thank you. I was using a switch at the end of the cord for remotely starting the vacuum(with home built vortex)but now i'm going to build three way switches for all stations. I will use handy boxes for sure(metal). If anyone doesn't know basic electricity and wiring, simply call an electrickcian, they are not to expensive, and you will know you are safe from falling piano's. Srsly, thank you Matthias.

[@robinson-foundry]

Thanks, I did this today. I hooked up a couple florescent lights on the ceiling of my workshop.

[@diggler306]

Finally, something Matthias has done that I understand.

[@weasel2htm]

I made one of those years ago to go with a computer monitor where the power switch was stuck on, mounted the switch under the desk, worked really well!

[@dhtango]

Your an amazing guy. Of all the interesting things you have made my favorite has to be the air raid siren.

[@ryanelliot5225]

I learn so much from watching your videos, thank you !

[@fossman03]

awesome timing! need one of these for my router table that I finished last night. thanks

[@jimbooth3]

I use a similar arrangement for the dust collector on my table saw. I mounted the switch next to the power switch for the saw. I can turn both off with just a swipe of the hand.

[@codenamegamma]

what you might wanna think about doing is picking up some Plasti-dip, since its a spray on rubber it should help with insulation plus it will make the switch box that you hold a bit nicer then touching bare metal, since i know some kinds of metal can leave a weird smell on your hands.

[@Elec-DIY]

There are all kind of relay boards out there that come with a remote, no need for wiring, just wire some outlets to the relays and you can control multiple outlets with a single remote.

[@ArcaneTinker]

this is great, I may want to try this but with a twist lock connection to keep it from being plugged into the wall, and to prevent the socket on the machine from being mistaken for a mains receptacle. I have junior tool inspectors in the house that have hit that age where they want to work on stuff too.

[@B0M0A0K]

1M subscribers, way to go Matthias.

[@Brian-Burke]

More electrical projects! I love watching them.

[@sdavidleigh6642]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will try it. BTW I down loaded your Jenga Gun PDF and made it. What fun and excellent plans. Bravo.

[@grayem76]

you're good at making electrical circuits something i don't even touch

[@reforgedcriterion1471]

This is basically how I power my shed,I run a switch from the garage to a power box that runs the extensions in the shed.. got the same thing going out in the shed just in case I need to shut down power out there. As soon as I do some landscaping with a nice flagstone sidewalk to the shed I want to run real conduit and a few wires out there. One that powers a string of lights along the sidewalk and I want to run a double switch to the light in the shed so power can be turned on from either the garage and shed. This will solve the random dark trips out to the shed for firewood in the winter. Better yet I should just keep a good supply of firewood in the garage in the winter but life isn't always that simple.

[@TheStroiDom]

Спасибо за подсказки.

[@ColinMitchell124]

this is a great home/shop hack, thanks!!

[@Jasoninee]

Matthias Wandel I know you aren't the biggest on buying things you can make, but one issue you have created is adding a lot of length/resistance to your circuit. These are on amazon, and I dunno if prime is in Canada or not, but for $27 I got 5 wireless outlets and 2 remotes. They have worked well and are rated for 15amps. You can also bind multiples to one remote (or even to both remotes I believe) and there is an "all on" / "all off" button.

[@milesparris4045]

You can buy replacement tool cords with one molded plug end, but I've found a short extension cord (about 8 feet) is usually cheaper.

[@specialk22tt]

Even the outlet screws are Robertsons!

[@coast2coast00]

Typically those kind of screws are compatible with robertson, phillips and flat screwdrivers.

[@MrMooseSlayer]

If I may offer a small dreg of advice.... If you twist the strands of the wire counter-clockwise the strands won't try to separate when you tighten the binding screw... Try it. You'll amaze your friends! :) Thanks for the videos, Matthias!

[@gregkinkead4540]

Good tip! Thanks!

[@benjaminlorrig9299]

Interesting. I put a combination of light switches and outlet boxes on a few machines that are either self-built or have one of those deadman-type power switches you need to keep pushed down, so I just taped them in place and added a switch that way. You route the cable a little different which gives you that handy remote, while I have 2 cable strands going into the light switch box and only one into the outlet box, which is fine for stationary use. I might build one of yours for general purpose use though. Even including the double-socket so I can connect a vacuum + whatever to it, I suppose. It's just going to be a bit tricky to find such a nice switch that fits into your hand so well ;-)

[@BrassLock]

When a KZbinr has a million woodworking subscribers, he can make videos about mouse traps, metal and electrical stuff, lawnmowing and tractors too.

[@triplecranks9540]

The hot side of the receptacle is smaller so you don't send the hot to the ground of the component you are powering. Especially if the component is made of metal and the metal is grounded. I think this makes sense.

[@eat_things]

I think we can agree that Matthias's better 7/8ths finds him both handsome and handy.

[@martingreen9411]

Thanks for the Red Green reference. :-D

[@hypnogognosticist]

will something explain the "7/8ths". I watch Red Green but am drawing a blank

[@hypnogognosticist]

ohhh, like "better half"... keep your stick on the vise

[@eat_things]

LOL well done mikey

[@GregVirgoe]

Are those felt tip pen lids you're using as connectors? Look like it 😂 lol

[@simonrichard9873]

They are called wire nuts and they are the standard for joining two wires in North America. They screw onto the two wire which have been twisted togheter.

[@GregVirgoe]

They would fall off if you sneezed too hard 🤣

[@simonrichard9873]

Well our electrical code SPECIFIES to use wire nuts.

[@GregVirgoe]

I take your word for it. 😂

[@Ukefool57]

I'm using remote wireless switches used for Christmas lights. I can run three tools off of one wireless switch controller. I glued a magnet on the back and I can mount it on my table saw or chop saw to control my vacuumed.

[@sheep1ewe]

I wonder if those metal boxes are available in Scandinavia?

[@gnuthad]

Just to life easier for yourself in future, put the cable through the strain relief and into the box before stripping it back. It saves the individual cables or strands of copper from getting everywhere except where you want them. :-)

[@linod7265]

Have you tried with a Relay? That could make wires not so big. Even that . You're great !!!! Thank you for your video.

[@andregross7420]

I made one of those many years ago and still use it often

[@plunder1956]

It's been interesting to see how different US style electrical components, switches and sockets are. We in the UK have a rather different design style, to US or more typical European systems. I'm Danish, so I have seen European socket designs & dealt with three phase. I suppose the big thing is to see so many metal components in situations where we tend to use plastic ones in the UK & Europe.

[@DinosawrsAreAwesome]

I'd have used metal for this, it's more crush resistant and this is exactly the application that counts in.

[@osgeld]

glad I am not the only one that makes switching outlet boxes

[@halsti99]

you can also buy adapters for wall outlets to power and unpower with a remote control.. i use that for most of my lights. costs like 15 - 30€

[@sup3rbird]

American 2 pin plugs fall out of the socket under the weight of the power cord. Apart from that minor detail I like the fact that their fittings are so robust. Not as pretty or uniform in style as ours but sturdy as hell. Check the size of those wire connection screws, industrial

[@MukYJ]

Harry Irvine I've never had a problem with plugs falling out except where the outlet is A) 40+ years old or B) really cheaply made. In both cases the outlet is completely worn out and in need of replacement if the plugs are falling out.

[@sup3rbird]

There are a hell of a lot of old outlets in America. I lived in an apartment in Manhattan and the plugs were hanging halfway out all the time. The building was a lot older than 40 of course but my point is that our standardised outlets never get that worn unless they have been spectacularly overloaded at some time.

[@dandesjardins937]

never had a plug fall out of an American outlet, unless the socket itself was damaged.

[@tastenheber]

This maybe my German Vorsicht talking, but aren't these terminals (the screws) only supposed to be used for solid wires and not flexible ones? Normally you should use at least some sleeves to keep them together. After all you want the full diameter of the conductor to be used. Never seen these wire nuts, but I imagine they're somehow screwed on the wire - but again - doesn't this only work with solid/thick wires? Or are there different types of these nuts for this?

[@simonrichard9873]

Technically yes, but meh.

[@hogwashsentinel]

There are many ways for doing this, he could have used a quad box with the switch and outlets together, or an in-line switch made for film lights.

[@dlwatib]

You can buy powerstrips at various price points. I'm sure there is a price point where you can find a powerstrip with an adequate switch. Personally, I've never had a switch fail on a powerstrip, but that's just me. Still, your solution looks more rugged and may allow for more convenient switch placement.

[@martingreen9411]

"You can buy powerstrips at various price points" You are missing the whole point of this project. The goal is to have a switch that is remote from the power outlet. You can't do that with a power strip switch which is right next to the sockets.

[@gelu88]

Martin Green dlwatib you can. The trick it to have a power bar where you want to use a switch, then plug an extension cord to get to the machine. It works fine, but it's not as clean or robust a setup.

[@wolfsfarm7667]

those metal boxes make me shiver...

[@simonrichard9873]

It's grounded.

[@ronyerke9250]

I've never seen that plug on a sump pump before, but I bought something similar (ungrounded) a couple of decades ago when I was too lazy to build another like yours. Mine only has a 4 foot (122cm) lead to the plugs and 8 feet (244cm) to the switch. I use it to turn on shop lights in the basement. Nice tutorial though. Too bad the internet wasn't available when I made mine as it took me a while to figure it out.

[@bwhite-ee]

Nice little project, Matthias. But I would remove the little paper washers for better grounding to the boxes.

[@martingreen9411]

I don't know if you specifically wanted both sockets to be switched, but I would have broken the tab on the hot side of the outlet and wired one socket to the switch and the other directly to the hot so you could have one socket permanently powered and the other switched. You could even go one step further and used a ganged dual switch with a three-conductor wire (plus ground) between the switch and outlet boxes to make both outlets independently switchable. www.homedepot.com/p/Broan-NuTone-White-2-Function-Rocker-Switch-Wall-Control-68W/100599267

[@matthiaswandel]

I'm always amzed at how expensive those dual switches are compared to two single switches!

[@martingreen9411]

Yeah, anything more that SPST gets expensive too. SPDT switches used for "two-way" light switching such as top and bottom of a stairwell cost several times what the simpler switches do, and DPDT switches used for all but the first two switches in "three-way" or higher configurations are a ridiculous $20 or more each.

[@TrentR42]

Martin Green My guess is he plans to use this with his relatively recent trend of tool+mini dust collector into one outlet.

[@milehighslacker4196]

I'm gonna guess that's due to volume of sales. There are probably 5 to 10 times as many SPST switches in a house versus the ones used for two-way circuits.

[@EgadsNo]

Hot side also always goes on the brassy screw, technically you should have used a receptacle with pressure plates for stranded wire, or crimped on a forked connector. Light switches are really not designed for starting and stopping motors either, generally want the lightswitch to be rated for 3x the nameplate FLA because induction loads can have some pretty powerful arcs. Still a good idea though. I'd have maybe used the switch to power the coil of a relay, well not for that blower if that is your final purpose.

[@tomastruksa9312]

interesting to see the America style of sockets = all covering made of metal, this is what in Europe cannot be seen. In Europe all covers made of plastic only as "safety reasons"..... Good video. Regards, Tom

[@51farmalla]

Tomáš Truksa watches one video...assumes all boxes are metal...we have both in the US and I am pretty sure Canada does too.

[@arinroy002]

Wheres the wood?

Arin Roy in the woods

[@trustball]

*unzips*

[@seannkanal5807]

Takes out meatscepter

[@Feldspar__]

On the first cord you showed, is the switch grounded?

[@jaxxbrat2634]

good tool..those yellow handle wire strippers are simple and great

[@braxtonmann9459]

hi Matthias thank you for your videos and the inspiration you have given me

[@braxtonmann9459]

don't like this

[@CProgrammer3088]

don't @ me

[@CWR032]

@CProgrammer3088 Why not?

[@charlesmorris100]

Now for the wood housing!

[@poiiihy]

1:16 They are "twist-on wire connectors"; "wire nut" and "marette" are trademarked/brand names of Ideal and Thomas & Betts respectively Canadians typically call them marettes but United-Statians don't

[@jburt5914]

So how would you do this with a double pole switch for a 220 outlet for a compressor, dust collector, or A/C?

[@martingreen9411]

"So how would you do this with a double pole switch for a 220 outlet for a compressor, dust collector, or A/C?" The cabling to the switch box would require 5 conductors (including ground) which would be unwieldy so I would stick a heavy relay in the outlet box and wire the switch to control the relay instead of the outlet directly. The 240V receptacles are bulky though so I'm not sure everything would fit into the box.

[@leahawild1843]

I've noticed the switches you use on your machinery , why don't you use an nvr switch ?

[@matthiaswandel]

because they cost 100x as much.

[@eaglecot]

Is there any risk for "flashover"/"arc" (don't know the canadian word for it) when using 110v and more powerful motors?

[@simonrichard9873]

Motors that run on 120V draw 15 or 20 amps max. They are made not to overload the wiring.

[@MegaBCAD]

Makes me glad I live in Australia I do some scary things but useing a metal backing box I leave that to you

[@simonrichard9873]

It's grounded.

[@MrTarfu]

bradley clarson for something that's probably going to be laying on the floor most of the time I'd much rather have something that's not going to break open being stepped on.

[@MegaBCAD]

MrTarfu I get that but the plastic boxes we use in Australia are strong enough to run over with a car not saying it's wrong as thousands of people use them with no problem just I just don't like the idea

[@simonrichard9873]

We are not in Australia. In Canada, metal boxes are the standard.

[@El_Travo]

Absolutely nothing wrong with using a metal box in this application. Obviously it'd be substantially better to have the box itself bonded to ground rather than relying on the connection between receptacle and the box. If the hot makes contact with the metal then the breaker will trip immediately if bonded properly.

[@mykkail1727]

wouldn't it be wiser to wire neutral (not ground) cable to the switch instead of hot one?

[@teenflon]

North American household electrics is so different compared to here in the UK!

[@bohaggin5913]

So is our dental hygiene ;D

[@slendy9600]

Bo Haggin shots fired XD

[@PaulWW36]

And American calorie counting :-)

[@NeAZ]

No wonder coming from a Murrican.

[@TheChipmunk2008]

+bo haggin, yes, fake bleached white all the way

[@xulahftw5108]

But the real question is what would you use to make it a foot switch?

[@urbanweekendwarrior7238]

agh.. pet peeve- or maybe just junk collector symptom- but when you cut that extension cord you didn't leave enough cord on the plug end to re-wire that into something else! You never know when you'll need a new plug for something (or that's what I tell myself anyway)

[@slendy9600]

Urban Weekend Warrior i didnt even think about that. good point

[@Cynyr]

Glad i'm not the only one that noticed that.

[@FishFind3000]

Urban Weekend Warrior my dad would make double ended plugs like 2 male or 2 female for when you hang Christmas lights and put a string up backwards.

[@windsunh2o]

FishFind3000 Double-ended male = "suicide cord"

[@Spott07]

I've never heard a double-ended male cord called a "suicide cord", because you just don't make something so foolish in the first place, and therefore it doesn't need a name. In the electrical/electronic industry, the term "suicide cord" means a cord with a pair of alligator clips on one end for testing purposes. That's dangerous enough, and IIRC Matthias has demonstrated the existence of them in previous motor/blower videos. Also can be used to cook hotdogs.

[@Rizon1985]

Are metal electrical boxes normal in Canada? In EU I've never seen anything else than plastic and rubber varieties.

[@matthiaswandel]

Pretty standard here. Unlike you europeans with your superior plastic boxes! :)

[@Rizon1985]

That's terrifying considering the amount of times you find unconnected ground wires. Stay safe and away from made in PRC :)

[@ralhmcc47]

Sir, when you say you can buy similar things but they are annoying is that for item in the US and Canada or just one but not the other?

[@simonrichard9873]

US and Canadian wiring is exactly the same

[@JoshuaFinleyJF]

Matthias Wandel, being that you are using a metal box with a metal outlet plate, I would strongly suggest adding a 'ground' wire to a ground screw attached firmly to said box. That way, if a short does happen, the metal is not a conductor waiting to zap you but instead, trips the breaker. Technically, the box is grounded by using the ground screw on the outlet and switch but better safe than sorry IMO.

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Thank you for sharing Matthias!

[@YoungPineTree]

With all the power tools he has, Matthias still hand tightens most screws.

[@fjdbendfllf9119]

does it matter if you switch the polarity of the wires? it's AC power

[@stevewilliams2498]

Fjdbend Fllf it's is to ensure the switched wire is the hot wire not the neutral. if you plugged in backwards and switched the apliance off with a single pole switch it would still be live because you have only tuned off the neutral return wire.

[@simonrichard9873]

No it wouldn't. Hot and neutral are always swapped around because nobody remembers if the black wire goes on the gold or the silver screw.

[@AL6S00740]

Dear Matthias , a small suggestion ( with a pinch of salt ) Is your switch rated for 20A or what ever is the maximum wall outlet fuse is ? Other than that It seems a nice solution :D

[@simonrichard9873]

ALL standard switches and receptacles are rated for 15 amps in North America. 15 amps is the capacity of a normal household circuit breaker.

[@Boragon77]

As per the Canadian Electrical Code, the white wire which many know as the neutral wire is called the identified conductor. The hot wire can be can color. That's why the left side of the receptacle is larger, so it is identified. Feel the cord on a lamp. The smooth side is the hot and the ridged side is… say it with me now… identified. And yes, I am an electrician.

[@MakingStuff]

Awesome

[@garretcastlebright8996]

Another great video. Mattias the Great.

[@brianfaini]

Always amazes me the number of licensed electricians that are watching every youtube video that involves an electrical mod.

[@martingreen9411]

"Always amazes me the number of licensed electricians that are watching every youtube video that involves an electrical mod." Always amazes me how many people fail to appreciate the risks of messing with A/C power circuits when you don't understand them. I have always said about DIY... if you screw up your plumbing you might get a flood... if you don't grok wastewater drainage your toilet or sink might overflow... if you mess up installing your hardwood you might have lumpy floors... but if you get electrical wiring wrong you run the risk of killing somebody or burning your house down (or both). I'm not a licensed electrician, but I've completely rewired multiple homes (including panel replacement and outside utility feed) and have passed Electrical Inspection first try every time. Everything Matthias did with this build looks fine, but plenty of KZbin electrical mods are just death traps.

[@spacemanrick2014]

Martin Green, you could poorly do your plumbing, have it leak on electrical components. As "basic" as plumbing is, a bad install can result in more than just a flood. Saw a building burn down from both a water leak, that got into the electrical.

[@aiTheVulture]

DIY(we don't have such things here, for fair price) multi-socket extender with multi-channel wireless switch much more handy. Next revision maybe?

[@scott98390]

Today I Learned that there is a term for "wire nut" other than "wire nut". Cool!

[@Wordsnwood]

Darn it, read through the comments and didn't find a single hater or pedant or safety police... I'll come back later. ;-)

[@robotturkey2929]

Better now?

[@Wordsnwood]

Yup... back to "normal"...

[@janergaard]

You cannot say darn it. You should say damn it. Here is why: "darn - to repair a hole or a piece of clothing with long stitches across the hole and other stitches across them.".

[@robotturkey2929]

But darn is an acceptable colloquial term to replace damn same as heck is to express alarm but is used to substitute Hell.

[@zakzennii8905]

But that is *exactly* why I say "Darn it!". Just in case someone up there is listening. I'd rather They repair what I'm upset about than condemn it to fire and brimstone. Unless They're offering to share the brimstone so I can add it to my element collection :P

[@JoshKilen]

very nice job, thanks for the tip.

[@MasterofTongs]

Seems legit. If you want to make this much longer you should ask a professional about what gauge cable to use. You should also take the power requirements of the machinery you intend to operate with this, compare them with the circuit you intend to use them on (taking special note of the load typically put on that circuit at any time), and consider the need for weatherproofing your box and wire.

[@erfansabih5749]

What is that screw driver that you are using?

[@johnford7847]

Very useful idea. Thanks.

[@Anvilshock]

Daisy-chainable plug/socket arrangements with pick-off leads, what could possibly go wrong.

[@Zybrdog]

when i make these i use a single cord and glue those 2 boxes back to back so that the plugs are behind and the switch in front... works better for me that way...

[@EnderMalcolm]

Cool, I can implement this in my homemade vacuum cleaner^^

[@boristhebilder7553]

Keep a pair of cheap $1 wire cutters in your car and snip wires off of discarded appliances, especially vacuums. I've probably got 500 feet of wire with plugs on the end of each. Cheap.

[@MsSomeonenew]

I guess when all works perfectly those metal cases are fine, but I've taken apart far too many old wobbly and corroded extension cords to take those kind of chances. When wires get old and half broken they will do exactly what you don't expect.

[@kuciapix4093]

It may be better to use installation cube for connecting wires or wago cube.

[@eliask6180]

Wow, the electrical wiring in Canada is very complicated compared to german one. But very interesting to watch

[@MukYJ]

Man in the Mirror it's a hot, a neutral, and a ground (earth). Three wires with a switch interrupting the hot is about as simple as it gets.

[@stefanrichter9162]

It is a little off-topic.... Last night I saw you , Matthias Wandel , on cable TV (Discovery) in Spain. It was called "You have been warned" , a TV-Show where people all over the internet show or weird personal skills or weird skillful technical inventions. You have been presented with a homemade sirene for air-attacks. It was a spin-off from your dustblower constructions. They didn´t mention your name , but your face and your product in your workshop was impossible to mistake.

[@alierencalapkulu6273]

Which department did you graduate from university

[@MicahMartinDIY]

Believe it or not, you can use a dimmer to make a variable speed fan control.

[@simonrichard9873]

I hooked a battery charger to a dimmer to make a 0-12V transformer. Useful for testing small motors.