Hey Gang –
Off and on long time reader, first time poster. Lots of great info here that I’ve already put to use. So, thanks!
I’ve got a light switch in a formal living room (13 yr old house) to which I can’t identify its purpose. It’s got power at the contacts, but does not control any outlets in the room, and the room doesn’t have a ceiling light. I would like to install a ceiling fan in the room (first floor of 2 story + basement.) Walls are sheetrock, wood floors, carpet upstairs. I’m hoping there’s already a junction box in the ceiling that may simply have been covered over with sheetrock.
What’s the best way to try and find the box in the ceiling – if it exists at all? Any tricks that I can utilize to home in on the potentially already existing wire?
Thanks,
Flobey
Replies
Nevermind - I found a few posts regarding a wire tracer. Will try that first, unless someone has a better idea.
Thanks,
Flobey
Either sconces with live boxes in the walls, or an old overhead rocked over. Trace it and reopen it. I did. The DR sconces looked beautiful in my restored 1920's home.
I was wondering why my porch light has been going on and off.
Please leave the switch alone. My neighbor is complaining.
Yadda yadda yadda
Luka: who you tryin' to kid - you know you don't have any neighbors close enough to see your porch light. Unless, of course, bears can complain.DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Artistic lisence.;o)
Yadda yadda yadda
A lot of times they used to control a wall recepticle with a wall switch and they didnt want an over head light . Used to turn lamps on . Only one side of the recept will be on the switch if thats the case so put a plug in light on every side of every one .
Tim
Check the receptacle nearest the switch. It's probably powered thru your mystery switch.
Yes, the switch probably controls an outlet inside the room
BUT
it might also control an outlet on the exterior of the home as well (if you have one)
Maybe even a light in the fireplace (again, if you have one) as some older homes had fake inserts with a lightbulb for effect.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. -Albert Einstein
http://www.peteforgovernor.com
Or fans for "heataltor". But those are usually near the fireplace.Other have mentioned, but it might not have been clear.When checking receptacles, check BOTH HALVES. Often the duplex recpetacle will be "split" so that one part is always hot and the other is switched.
It is also possible that the switch at one time controlled only one side of a receptacle- but the receptacle was installed (or replaced) without breaking off the 'tab' that connects the halves.
Check out the split receptacle theory first. If that isn't it, open up the box and determine which wires are the hot and the switch leg. Which direction does the switch leg exit the box? Or is it even connected?
-- J.S.
All outlets (top & bottom) in the room remain hot regardless of switch position, and the wire runs out of the top of the switch box. I'll try the tracer method this weekend. Thanks for all the suggestions, fellas.