How do you get a wall switch to turn on a lamp?

Question

I've seen it in hotels, and I don't like overhead lights, so I want to hook my lamps up to the light switch on the wall.

Answer 1

You need to re-wire the outlet and install a wall mounted switch, so it is "switched". If your not an electrician, best leave this to a qualified person.
Outlets typically are always ON, however most houses have these SWITCHED outlets typically near the entry way of a room and control at least one outlet in that room. You need to check to see if you already have such an outlet. A "switched outlet" is switched on or off by a wall mounted switch. The device (lamp) you plug into the outlet should remain in the ON position.

If you want to do this yourself from a standard outlet ...here is another way that may help you.. please visit...

http://www.charm.net/~jriley/powsw1.html

PS: I am not affilicated with the web site and take no resonsibility for its accuracy. I simple did a search and this is what came up.

Answer 2

The project is complicated. It depends on the way your home was wired. If it was wired with "Greenfield" (Flexible Metallic Conduit) and the receptacle is connected to a switch box, it may be as simple as adding an extra wire to the conduit. The extra wire would have to be connected to an added switch in the switch box, which would probably have to be changed out to a multi-gang box. A combination device could be installed to prevent the need to change out the switch box. At the receptacle, you must break a small tab that connects the top receptacle to the bottom receptacles. DO NOT BREAK THE TAB ON THE NEUTRAL SIDE. Then you'll have to connect the new switched conductor to one receptacle, and the always on conductor to the other receptacle. Every kind of wiring method will require different procedures, so if you're not sure of yourself, call an electrician. It's not worth burning your house down over. Plus, for this project you'll need lots of expensive tools, so you'll probably end up paying more if you try to DIY.

Answer 3

In rooms where there is no overhead lighting there is usually, some where in the room a wall outlet(s) that are hooked up to the light switch. Find this outlet Turn on lamp use light switch to turn lamp on and off

Answer 4

each of several people had good ideas. you will need to run at least 1 pair of wires between a switch and an outlet. hear is something for you to think about. put an outlet up on the wall and install some track lighting. i'm not a big fan of ceiling lights because they never seem to be in the right place especially if you want to read. i'm also not a big fan of cords either. track lighting allows you to keep the light above and behind your head so you don't get glare in your eyes and you can move it where you want.

Answer 5

You may want to get an electrician for this. What you want is a switched outlet. You will need to run wires from the outlet to the switch. Most people then remove the internal jumpers on the receptecle and power one full time and make the other one a switched hot wire. If you want, then you can run the same wire to another outlet, so both outlets will control the lights. good luck

Answer 6

Sometimes, if you're really lucky, you might find that whoever wired the house already ran a 3-wire to your outlet. We generally do this sometimes if we think someone will change their mind and want to add a switched outlet in places we commonly put them. I don't know how old your house is though and chances are they never did that for you, but you never know. Otherwise, you gotta fish a wire in and depending on what type of wall (inside or outside) or if you can easily drop to the basement, it could be a tough pull.

Answer 7

First you would need to wire a new, or current switch to the outlet you wich to plug your lamp. It is not plausible to hardwire the lamp, because replacement issues, so trace the wires and hook up. May need an electrician if you have never fished wires. Good luck.

Answer 8

look at a home center for a product or kit it has a switch that acts like a transmitter that will turn on a light or outlet . place the switch anywhere to turn on a lamp.

i seen them at my local building center

Answer 9

It needs to be wired directly to the wall switch whick will require hiring an electrician and possibly someone to repair your drywall as new wires will need to be run to accomplish what you want. I saw someone eles suggested buying a 'clapper' which will be the cheapest and easiest way to get what you want and they actually work very well..

Answer 10

Check with Home Depot or Lowes for a wireless light switch
If they don't have it an electrical supply store will or go on the internet