Expert: Jeff Evans - 7/3/2005

Question
how do i change a switch for an outside light to a recepticle?

Answer
Pretty easy if the wires are there.  First turn off the power.  Then remove the switch cover plate and the 2 screws holding the switch in.  Grab the switch at the top and bottom and pull it straight out and then down with the terminals facing up.  If there are 2 black wires going to the switch all is good.  Look inside the box and see if there are also 2 white wires wirenutted together.  If there are then it is easy to add a receptacle.  Simply add a short piece of wire to the white wires and land it on one of the 2 silver colored terminals of the receptacle.  Land the 2 black wires on the brass or gold colored terminals on the receptacle and of course the bare wire goes to the green terminal.  Install the receptacle into the box, put the cover plate on and turn the power back on.  Check voltage.  Now if there is only 1 set of wires, black, white, and ground this is only a switch leg, without a neutral as none is needed for a switch to operate properly.  You are going to have to bring another set of wires from a location with a neutral to get this receptacle to work.  Good luck, be safe and have a Happy 4th of July.  Jeff