I have outlets controlled by light switches in the rooms of my house. I changed the outlets and now they don't work. I wired the new outlets the same way that I took the old ones apart - I disconnected one wire from the old and immediately put it in the same place on the new one. Can you please help me fix the problem so I don't have to hire an electrician????
2007-01-08 08:18:10 · 8 answers · asked by offcrferg 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You did not "split" the receptacle between the screws on the black(hot) side. There is a metal piece that connects the two sockets of a duplex receptacle. Usually they wire a receptacle to be controlled by a switch so that one socket is on all of the time and one is controlled by a wall switch. If you do not remove the bridge between the two black(hot) wires the switch does nothing and both of the sockets are on all of the time.
2007-01-08 18:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you note : "I wired the new outlets the same way that I took the old ones apart - I disconnected one wire from the old and immediately put it in the same place on the new one."
You likely wired it correctly.
So, the wiring is correct, however, you didn't prepare the outlet correctly.
Just under the hot-wire (bronze) terminals/screws of the outlet, you'll see that both screws make an electrical connection to themselves by a small (snap-off(able) connection.
You need to snap this off to break that electrical connection -- otherwise the switched wire will not control the light -- it will be controlled by the other hot-wire attached.
Of course this assumes conventional wiring -- either top or bottom outlet being always "on", and the other, controlled by the switch.
Good luck
2007-01-15 06:33:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a small bridge that runs across the screws. Usually this bridge will be broken by the electrician so that only the lower outlet is connected to the switch. Take a closer look at the old outlet where there is a brass bridge between screws broken or not broken or You might have tripped the panel. Reset all the circuit breakers . They should work. Change the bulb
2007-01-08 08:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by saran_d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends upon how many switches control your lights... 3-way switches control power to a light from two separte points...4-way switches control power from 3 separte points. Single pole is used for single light...If you don't use these types switches it will get messed up...
2007-01-08 08:27:41 · answer #4 · answered by stretch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes wire nuts get loose once you try pulling them out of the box. you may want to examine the wire nuts. check the copper jumper on the side of the receptacle, ensure both (hot and neutral) are intact, sometimes they' cut to separate another line from another source.
2007-01-08 15:03:07 · answer #5 · answered by johnny five 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably have a misconnection somewhere. Take it all apart again and secure them again. All you need is one misconnection for it to not work.
2007-01-08 08:21:19 · answer #6 · answered by DA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is your homeowners policy paid up. sounds like your gonna need it if you keep going the handyman route.
2007-01-13 11:10:56 · answer #7 · answered by big hammer 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should call an electrician.
2007-01-08 10:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by Stanleyscg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋