[EdLank]

In one bedroom of our house, two adjacent exterior walls have a total of 3 outlets, one each below a window. The house has window candle light wiring, so all window candle lights are on one switch. That frustrating bedroom has a wall switch that controls the lower outlet of all the wall outlets. Therefore, those two walls have no continuously live outlets. I want to upgrade from the heavy extension cord I have used for a computer in the room that wraps halfway around the room. I assume that each of the outlets of those duplexes already comes from a different circuit breaker. Normally, when I want to expand something like this, I install a larger outlet box and put the new outlet in the same box, to avoid so many penetrations of the exterior wallboard. I think 3 circuits in a box is not a good idea. Am I right?

Fortunately, the other front room in the other corner of the house does not have the wall switch controlling the lower outlet of the corresponding "window" outlets, but just the outlet next to the switch.

 

[Nealtw]

I think you will find that both halves of an outlet is on the same circuit. To make them half switched they have just cut the tab between the two brass screw. One screw will have constant and the other will come from the switch. So put in a new outlet and leave one wire not connected. If it is still switched you have the wrong wire, just cap the one you are not using.

 

[EdLank]

Well, I can test, but note that all these outlets are switched, but the two outlets of each duplex is controlled by 2 different switches. One is downstairs for all the candlelight outlets (upper of each duplex), and the lower one of each duplex is controlled by the bedroom wall switch in that bedroom. I cannot check right now, because someone will not like me killing their light when I throw a circuit breaker.:smile:

 

[Nealtw]

Well, I can test, but note that all these outlets are switched, but the two outlets of each duplex is controlled by 2 different switches. One is downstairs for all the candlelight outlets (upper of each duplex), and the lower one of each duplex is controlled by the bedroom wall switch in that bedroom. I cannot check right now, because someone will not like me killing their light when I throw a circuit breaker.:smile:

I doubt you will find 2 circuits to the same outlet.

 

[jbfan]

I doubt you will find 2 circuits to the same outlet.

It is rare, but has happened.

What else is controlled by the switch in the bedroom?

 

[Nealtw]

It is rare, but has happened.

What else is controlled by the switch in the bedroom?

Then 2 neutral would be hint. Or should be.

 

[Jim Port]

Can you out not leave one of the switches on?

 

[joed]

Simple enough to find out if two circuits. Find the breaker(s) that turns them off. If you can turn off both switch controlled sets with one breaker then one circuit.

 

[lenaitch]

That frustrating bedroom has a wall switch that controls the lower outlet of all the wall outlets. Therefore, those two walls have no continuously live outlets.

These two sentences seem to conflict. Are both upper and lower receptacles switched or is one each switched and the other continuous?

 

[EdLank]

One switch is downstairs for all the candlelight outlets (the upper outlet of each duplex), and the lower outlet of each duplex is controlled by the bedroom wall switch in that bedroom. So two walls have a total of 3 duplex outlets, with all outlets switched, one by a switch in the room, and one by the switch at the main entrance to the house controlling all 14 candle lights.

I just checked, and one circuit breaker is for the candle lights, and another for the wall switch controlling the other half of each duplex outlet.

I was asked, so will answer that the wall switch in the bedroom controls half of 6 duplex outlets all around the room. That means that 3 outlets on the other 2 interior walls have a live lower outlet of their 3 duplex outlets. There was no ceiling light or fixture in either bedroom, and I added a new circuit for a ceiling fan in each room.

 

[Nealtw]

One switch is downstairs for all the candlelight outlets (the upper outlet of each duplex), and the lower outlet of each duplex is controlled by the bedroom wall switch in that bedroom. So two walls have a total of 3 duplex outlets, with all outlets switched, one by a switch in the room, and one by the switch at the main entrance to the house controlling all 14 candle lights.

I just checked, and one circuit breaker is for the candle lights, and another for the wall switch controlling the other half of each duplex outlet.

I was asked, so will answer that the wall switch in the bedroom controls half of 6 duplex outlets all around the room. That means that 3 outlets on the other 2 interior walls have a live lower outlet of their 3 duplex outlets. There was no ceiling light or fixture in either bedroom, and I added a new circuit for a ceiling fan in each room.

So each of those duplex outlets have two wires to the brass screws.

Pull the switch 2 wires and tie them together away from the switch.