Stupid Electrical Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

THE SCUD · 08-22-2011, 10:14 PM

I googled this, but I couldn't find the answer.

We have a wall switch in our new home, in the living room, that doesn't do anything. I believe it's supposed to control a switched outlet - ie control a plugged-in lamp.

However, I jumped around on my hands and knees trying all the sockets with a light and the switch doesn't seem to deactivate any of them.

Is there a general 'rule' on how these things work? I heard that perhaps only the bottom socket would be switched (doesn't seem to be the case) - does it have to maybe be a three prong grounded item plugged in (seems impossible/doubtful)?

I know it's a stupid question and of no real significance, but it's been driving me nuts and thought maybe someone on CP would know (or the thing really is just wired to nothing!)

Pablothegreat · 08-22-2011, 10:32 PM

I'm no electrician, but there is a tab on the outlet than can be disconnected so that either the top or bottom outlet is connected to the swtich. That way, you could have a lamp connected to the top outlet slot, that is theoritically connected to the switch, and the bottem outlet slot, which would have a permanent electrical current through it.

Also, in our house, our air exchanger is hooked to a switch that is located on the main floor kitchen. Perhaps your switch is hooked to something like that.

That is all I've got.

THE SCUD · 08-22-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablothegreat

I'm no electrician, but there is a tab on the outlet than can be disconnected so that either the top or bottom outlet is connected to the swtich. That way, you could have a lamp connected to the top outlet slot, that is theoritically connected to the switch, and the bottem outlet slot, which would have a permanent electrical current through it.

Also, in our house, our air exchanger is hooked to a switch that is located on the main floor kitchen. Perhaps your switch is hooked to something like that.

That is all I've got.

I have a main floor ventilation fan switch (which I've used given the weather lately!)

However this tab idea is great - any suggestions on what it looks like?

THE SCUD · 08-22-2011, 10:35 PM

lol I was thinking a plastic tab outside, but I bet you mean the common ground tab inside the receptacle

CM ONE · 08-22-2011, 10:38 PM

Is it in a room with a fireplace? It could be a rough in for a fireplace fan.

THE SCUD · 08-22-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CM ONE

Is it in a room with a fireplace? It could be a rough in for a fireplace fan.

It is! that would make sense!

Will I kill one of the sockets if I break off the brass tab on one of the outlets?

However the only light in a rather large family room is a few picture frame spot lights, so it would make more sense (I think?) that it's for a switched socket, but could definitively be a rough in for a fan on the insert.

Jacks · 08-22-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

Will I kill one of the sockets if I break off the brass tab on one of the outlets?

On the sides of the receptacle, under the cover plate, there are tabs on either sides. If you break these tabs then the top and bottom plugs will no longer be joined together. You would only do this if you for sure had a separate hot wire that you wanted to hook up separate from the other. That being said if you did it then changed your mind you can always splice the hot wire into two wires and manually connect the top and bottom plugs again, or put in a new receptacle for a couple of bucks.

Northendzone · 08-23-2011, 08:10 AM

have you checked your roof - perhaps this switch controls some lights that say "happy new year - 2002"

THE SCUD · 08-23-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northendzone

have you checked your roof - perhaps this switch controls some lights that say "happy new year - 2002"

Considering the house was built 6 years after that, I would be both confused and impressed

ken0042 · 08-23-2011, 09:15 AM

As anybody who watched "Married With Children" knows, you should always check to see if the switch controls the light in the dog house.

The other thing; if there was a previous owner they may have taken the electrical plug it controls and made the plug "always on"- bypassing the switch all together.

THE SCUD · 08-23-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

As anybody who watched "Married With Children" knows, you should always check to see if the switch controls the light in the dog house.

The other thing; if there was a previous owner they may have taken the electrical plug it controls and made the plug "always on"- bypassing the switch all together.

Sorry, what do you mean by "taken the electrical plug "it" (assume you meant "in") controls? There could be some controller that forces the plug to be switched?

Ducay · 08-23-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

Sorry, what do you mean by "taken the electrical plug "it" (assume you meant "in") controls? There could be some controller that forces the plug to be switched?

Outlets can be switched if they are fed by 2 separate hot lines. (Usually one black and one red). Receptacles that are switched will have to have the joining tab between the two outlets cut so that they are seperated. (By default there are little tabs that connect the 2 outlets on both the hot and neutral sides that make it so both outlets can be energized by simply one pair of wires coming in.

So essentially what the other guy was saying is that the previous owner might have done is simply replaced the old receptacle (that had the joining tab cut to make one line switched (with 2 hot lines coming in, 1 switched)) with a new receptacle that didn't have the tab cut and just wired in the receptacle with the 1 always-hot line. (and simply didn't hook up the switched hot wire.

Poorly described but thats the gist of it. Essentially if you have 1 outlet switched you can make it always on. If you really can't figure out what it controls, just unscrew the receptacles and look for one with additional hot lines capped off.

ken0042 · 08-23-2011, 09:34 AM

How about this re-wording:
The other thing; if there was a previous owner they may have taken the electrical plug that the switch controls....

What I mean is the builder put in a switch to control an outlet. Homeowner says "that is dumb" and takes the switch out of the equation, so now the outlet always has power.

THE SCUD · 08-23-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

How about this re-wording:
The other thing; if there was a previous owner they may have taken the electrical plug that the switch controls....

What I mean is the builder put in a switch to control an outlet. Homeowner says "that is dumb" and takes the switch out of the equation, so now the outlet always has power.

What you and Ducky said makes perfect sense - I'll just pull the cover plate tonight on the switch and see if it's wired, and then pull the socket I want switched and see if I have an additional hot wire going in.

dissentowner · 08-23-2011, 10:00 AM

That was not a stupid electrical question. Should I stick my keys in this outlet? That is a stupid electrical question.

Handsome B. Wonderful · 08-23-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE SCUD

I googled this, but I couldn't find the answer.

We have a wall switch in our new home, in the living room, that doesn't do anything. I believe it's supposed to control a switched outlet - ie control a plugged-in lamp.

However, I jumped around on my hands and knees trying all the sockets with a light and the switch doesn't seem to deactivate any of them.

Is there a general 'rule' on how these things work? I heard that perhaps only the bottom socket would be switched (doesn't seem to be the case) - does it have to maybe be a three prong grounded item plugged in (seems impossible/doubtful)?

I know it's a stupid question and of no real significance, but it's been driving me nuts and thought maybe someone on CP would know (or the thing really is just wired to nothing!)

I have a switch like this, it's for a blower for the gas fireplace. Do you have a fireplace? Does it have an empty space and an electrical outlet hidden behind a grill below it?

Bindair Dundat · 08-23-2011, 05:50 PM

One other possibility that has yet to be raised...is there a electrical outlet installed somewhere in the soffits (roof "overhang", outside)...likely at the front of the house? Some builders offer this up as an option, allowing you to control your Xmas lights from a switch inside the house...

Cheers, Ron

THE SCUD · 08-23-2011, 05:50 PM

and the winners are...

CM ONE AND HANDSOME!

It's for the outlet underneath the insert's panel (where you adjust gas flow and the pilot).

I guess if it's wired, I should look into a blower motor for the insert, to help heat the main floor in the winter using the insert...

Any suggestions?

Bindair Dundat · 08-23-2011, 06:14 PM

Inside that same cavity (below the insert) you should find a plate with the model number, burner specifications and manufacturer.

Google the manuf./model and find the fan that will do what you want...or call one of the HVAC company's that installs products made by that manufacturer in Calgary and see what they have to say?

The fan dramatically increases the "utility" of a gas fireplace. Without one...it's little more than a "decorative" waste of natural gas. Well worth the price of admission...Git 'er done!

Cheers, Ron

Violator · 08-23-2011, 07:35 PM