I am replacing all the outlets in my bedroom. I had a fairly easy time until the last one and really need someones help. This outlet is a half hot, half switch receptacle. There are three sets of wires comming into the box and I am unsure how to wire this up. I have already broke the tab on the new receptacle. The old one had two sets of wires pushed in the back and one set connected to the top hot screw. I was in a hurry and did not think to look at which set was connected where. Any help would be greatly appreciated
one of the wires will become hot when the switch is turned on---that will go on one screw---
the remaining wires----one will be constantly hot----the other wires (colored) will be sending power
elsewhere--
are there other 'half hot' outlets? if so --one may be for that----most likely, the others are intended to power
outlets or switches ---you need a tester.
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that will help. Let me clarify my problem. I have three sets of wires (black, white and ground) coming into the box for a total of 3 black 3 white and 3 ground (those are pigtailed together and I know what to do with them). One set comes from the top of the box, one set from the bottom left and one set from the bottom right. I assumed the one coming from the top was to the switch, but when I hooked it up the switch did not work.
Yes all three white were connected to the outlet, separately. The old outlet had two black and two white pushed in the back of the receptacle and a black and white connected to the top hot screw. No wire nuts were used.
The white hopefully has a black mark on it or it should. The same should be on one of the whites at the outlet.
You have a switch loop. One white in the outlet is the hot.
...learn how to do that, then use that knowledge to figure out which black and white wire goes to the switch.
Then mark those wires. That will greatly help to get things put back together again!
With the neon test light you can able indentify which one is supply source.
Now for the switch loop turn the breaker off please first before you do this test ( make sure you set the DVM on ohm setting after you verify the power is off 100% ) and find one pair and with the switch off you should not read anything ( useally on DVM it will stay " 1 " or on anlog meters it will not move ) then turn the switch on and retest it should swing over or show the low number of ohms which you will get the conuinity.
When you done identify it then you will have to remark one of conductor ( white ) with bleu or black marker to remark that is your power feed and with that remarked white you will bundle the other two conductors with wirenut and pigtail and push it in and the single black conductor from switch that will go to top half or bottom half of the duplex ( depending on which side you want it switched ) and the other black pigtail that is constant line will go other brass colour screw so it will line up properly like one of the member posted above.
Ok every, much thanks for all the help that has been provided. I am going to go get a tester so I can figure out which set comes from the switch. Once I find that out, how do I connect the six wires to the outlet?
Wire nut all the bare grounds together with a pigtail to the green screw on the receptacle.
Wire nut all the white neutrals together with a pigtail to the silver screw on the receptacle.
Find out what black is hot all the time with a tester and the one that is not hot even with the switch on. Wire nut those two with a pigtail to one of the brass screws.
The remaining black wire is your switched wire just connect that to the remaining brass screw.
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