How To Wire A Light Switch From A Plug Socket

You need to add a fcu to procide overcurrent protection.

How to wire a light switch from a plug socket. So when the switch is off all hot parts of the lamp are well protected. If it s more convenient that wiring directly from the breaker box go ahead and do it. When installing a switch outlet combo unit you ll want to know the difference between the two sets of wires coming into the light switch box. The threaded socket is the neutral.

The black wire should be installed at the top wire screw on the back side of the switch. To add an outlet to a light switch you start by making a pigtail using the hot wire the wire going to the fixture controlled by the switch and a third length of wire. Yay we have light. One will be the power line coming from the breaker box and the other will be the wires connected from the light switch to the light fixture.

Connect the black incoming wire to the switch to be installed in the circuit using the screwdriver. The switch allows you to stop the power flowing through the socket. This wire has a brown sheath but this used to be red before 2004 see here for more information on cable colours. So don t worry about wiring a socket from a light switch.

Plug in the extension cord aka your new light into the wall socket to ensure it is working. Hook up the outlet as you normally would. I would advise fitting a 5a fuse though you may be able to fit a 13a one depending on the type of light fitting and the size of any wiring. This is the wire that takes the electricity from the consumer unit via the switch into the socket.

Thread the connected wires into a twist on wire nut making sure that all the exposed wire is covered by the nut. But you must do it right ensuring you connect the right wires to the right terminals. Cable from the socket circuit to the fcu should be at least 2 5mm 2. Before you ask yes it is safe to have a plug socket and a light switch on the same circuit.

And when the switch is on only the tab at the bottom of the socket is hot but if the wiring is reversed and the power goes to the threaded socket the threaded socket is always hot whether the switch is on or off. You then splice all the white wires and all the ground wires in the switch box together. Fed from a socket circuit without a fused connection unit.