[mhbrowns00]

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

 

[Billy_Bob]

 

[oh'mike]

You may need your two wire tester---

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.

 

[mhbrowns00]

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.

 

[mhbrowns00]

no there are no other half hots in the house. What is a two wire tester?

 

[Billy_Bob]

Lets start with the 3 white wires.

Were all 3 connected to the old outlet?

Were they connected to the screws?

Pushed into the holes in the back of the outlet? Screws and holes used?

Some connected together with a wire nut? Looks like this...

 

[mhbrowns00]

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.

 

[sublime2]

What color wires are connected to the switch?
2 blacks or a black and white?

 

[mhbrowns00]

black and white

 

[oh'mike]

You need a simple $3.00 neon tester for 110 volts---the non contact testers are lousy--you can't test a neutral with a light up non contact tester---

Do you have the white (neutral) wired on the silver screws yet?

When you get the switch leg on one gold screw---and figure out which remaining wire is constantly hot--and get that on the other gold screw---

how many wires are left? what are the colors?

What else in the area --light or out lets are dead? Do the come to life when you connect one of the remaining wires to the constant live terminal?

 

[oh'mike]

You are in good hands--I'm going to bed----

My electrical talents are limited--Where I work,Romex is not allowed--so I have little experience there.

 

[sublime2]

black and white

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.

 

[mhbrowns00]

Ok I just looked the white that is connected to the switch does not have and black marks nor do any comming to the outlet

 

[Billy_Bob]

Search google.com for the words...

how to do continuity testing

...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!

 

[frenchelectrican]

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.

It should not take very long to sort it out.

Merci,
Marc

 

[hammerlane]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that will help.

How can that diagram not help? Identify your alwyas hot wire and your switched hot wire and you are done.

 

[mhbrowns00]

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?

 

[mhbrowns00]

because I have three sets of black/white wires and this diagram doesn't seem appear to have six

 

[mhbrowns00]

How can that diagram not help? Identify your alwyas hot wire and your switched hot wire and you are done.

because I have three sets of black/white wires and this diagram doesn't seem appear to have six

 

[hammerlane]

because I have three sets of black/white wires and this diagram doesn't seem appear to have six

The concept is the same. Identify your always hot wire. Pigtail that to the switch to one of its terminal. The other terminal of the switch gets connected to it the switch leg to the half of the receptacle that you want to be switched on/off.

Continue the always hot wire onto the half of the receptacle that you want to always be hot.

It is up to you to identify your always hot wire and your switch leg