Floor Outlet?

Question

I am getting ready to install a floor outlet in our living room. I have the materials but my only question is this......I have lighting throughout my crawlspace, can I tie into one of the light fixtures or do I have to go back to the light switch to tie into that box?

Answer 1

I believe that the light fixture is hot even when the light is not on. The switch interrupts the nuetral, not the hot wire. Take a test lead and check the wires when the light is off.

I could be wrong, though, but it's not a guarantee that the light has to be on for the outlet to work. Some are wired that way so that the table lamp can be controlled by a switch. In my kids' bedrooms, the receptacle feeds the overhead light fixture. The switch has no effect on the outlets.

Answer 2

We've done the same thing, but in the middle of the dining room under the big table, through the linoleum. We'd sit around the table with power cords for printer, and laptops stretched out to the walls, and it was a hazard! We installed a brass floorplate with covers over two outlets. The power box is suspended between floor joists and it turned out very well.

You need to tie into somewhere whose power won't be turned off when you turn off the crawlspace lights. Test the outlet on the crawlspace light fixtures by plugging a fan into it, turn on the fan, then turn off the main crawlspace light switch. If the fan goes out, then the power is cut to that outlet, and you shouldn't tie your floor plug into there.

Answer 3

Its never a good idea to tie into a circuit designed only for lights, look for the heavier cable that would go to power appliances ( Not cooker)
I assume you are fitting a floor outlet for computer and its accessories.

Answer 4

You can tie into the light if you want your plug to only work when your crawl lights are on.

Answer 5

Masking tape over the outlets when being waxed.