Outlet controlled by switch

Shardi · 10-08-2005, 03:21 PM

I have an outlet that is controlled by a wall switch and I replaced the switch and outlet so that the color matched the room since I painted. I put all the wires in the same place on the new switch and outlet but now the switch does not work - the outlet has power no matter if the switch is on or off.

Any help would be appreciated

K2eoj · 10-08-2005, 08:19 PM

Sounds like you got a couple of black wires mixed up. Hard to troubleshoot from here but if it was working before it should not be to hard to get it back. HS.

Teetorbilt · 10-08-2005, 08:20 PM

Shardi, If you remove the receptacle and look on the side where the black and (possibly) red wire is, you will see a bridge between the two terminals. It is usually brass and has a raised part. Take some needlenose pliers to the raised part and break the connection between the two terminals. Your switch should work again.

K2eoj · 10-08-2005, 09:18 PM

Yes Teetor is correct. I just ran back to change my post and he was here first. That would make it a half switched receptacle. There is probably a tab on the white side that does not need to be broken. I hope there was no harm done by my first post. HS

Shardi · 10-09-2005, 07:24 PM

That worked like a charm, thanks to you both