A Switch Outlet Combo device is an interesting electrical unit as it combines a receptacle (or outlet) and a switch into a single device. Such devices are very useful in space constrained locations such as kitchens as you can fit an outlet and a switch into a single receptacle box. But how to wire a Switch Outlet Combo unit? Is there only one way of wiring or more than one? If so, then what are the different ways to wire a Switch Outlet Combo? We will explore all these topics in this essential Switch Outlet Combo Wiring Guide.
What is a Switch Outlet Combo Device?
Receptacles or Outlets are the access points to mains electricity in our homes, offices, garages and shops. Main power supply coming from your utility first reaches the main breaker panel. From there, we create different circuits for different applications and wire different parts of the house. The final point is the receptacle, where you plug in your appliances.
Switches on the other hand are electrical devices that make or break the circuit. They easily connect/disconnect the mains power supply to an appliance or a light fixture.
Coming to the Switch Outlet Combo, as the name suggests, it combines a receptacle and a single pole switch into a single unit. The following images shows an artistic rendition of a typical switch outlet combo unit. Usually, the switch receptacle combo unit is available with a 15 Amp single pole switch and a 125V 15 Amp receptacle.
If you don’t need two outlets and are tight on space, then you can use a Switch Outlet Combo device. The same applies for a regular switch unit which usually has only one switch in the entire unit. Instead of a single switch you can replace it with a switch outlet combo that gives you a receptacle and also a switch.
NOTE: This is not a user guide on how to wire a switch outlet combo but rather a technical explanation of the wiring possibilities. If you are a DIYer and have experience working with main AC, then you can easily replace an existing switch/receptacle with a switch receptacle combo unit provided you take the necessary precautions. That being said, if you are not comfortable working with mains AC, then you can always call for a professional electrician to help you out.
How to Wire a Switch Outlet Combo?
As the switch outlet combo unit consists of both the switch as well as a receptacle, you can wire them in multiple ways. The first option is a popular wiring choice. In this scenario, the single pole switch will control the lights whereas you get an additional receptacle at your disposal.
This wiring scheme is extremely useful in kitchens where all the existing outlets are occupied and you can replace the light switch with a switch receptacle combo unit. This way, you can still control the lights and at the same time, you get an additional receptacle.
In the second wiring scheme, you can wire the switch outlet combo to control only the receptacle in the same unit and nothing else. This option is not a popular as the other two but none the less, it is available.
This system is useful where you want to turn on and off the receptacle without bothering to unplug the cable from the receptacle. Such wiring is very useful in workshops and garages.
Finally, there is also a third wiring system that is a combination of the previous two where the switch in the combo unit controls both the lights as well as its own outlet. With this option, you can control the lights as usually but also control an additional device such as a lamp or other simple appliance plugged into the outlet.
Let us now see how to wire Switch Outlet Combo for all the above three cases in detail.
Switch Controls Your Lights
The incoming hot (black) wire is connected to one of the black terminals (line) and the break-away fin tab is kept as it is. Next, we connect the incoming neutral wire (White) or a pig tail from the wire nut to the silver screw (neutral) on the other side.
Now connect the black wire from the lights to the brass terminal and the white wire from the lights to the neutral wire nut. Finally, we connect the copper earth wire to the earth screw on the device.
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When we flip the switch, only the lights turn on or off while you can independently use the receptacle to plug in any appliance such as a juicer or grinder.
Switch Controls the Outlet Itself
In this case, the first thing we need to do is to remove the break-away fin tab. Next, we connect the incoming hot wire (black) to the black ‘line’ screw near the switch. Then we connect a jumper wire from the brass screw (load) to the black screw (line) of the receptacle.
Finally, we connect the bare copper earth wire to the green screw (which is the earth terminal).
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In this case, the switch controls its own receptacle. This setup is quite popular in workshops and garages where you plug in your device into the receptacle and leave it there. Then use the switch to turn it on or off.
Switch Controls Outlet and Lights
The last wiring option is a combination of the previous two. Even for this wiring system, you have to remove the break-away fin tab. First, we connect the incoming hot wire (black) to the black screw (line) of the switch. Then using a jumper wire, we connect the brass screw (load) of the switch with the black screw (line) of the receptacle.
Now, we connect the black wire from the lights to the brass screw (load) of the switch. Then we connect the white wire from the lights to the neutral wire nut which also has a pig tail wire going to the silver screw (neutral) near the receptacle on the combo unit.
Finally, we connect the earth (copper) wire to the earth terminal (green screw).
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From the image, it is clear that switch controls both the lights as well as the receptacle. You can connect an appliance or an additional lamp to the outlet to control all the lights/appliances with a single switch.
NOTE: These are the popular ways of wiring a switch receptacle/outlet combo device. There are other ways to wire such as separating the switch and receptacle and wiring them from different sources etc.
Conclusion
A Switch Outlet Combo Device is very useful if you want to replace an existing single pole switch with a combination of switch and a receptacle. In this way, you get access to an additional outlet by keeping the switch to control the same circuits as earlier. We saw three different ways to wire a switch outlet combo unit. Depending on your requirement, you can opt for any wiring scheme.
