It is very unlikely that the light switch will have a neutral wwire in the box. It is very likely just a switch drop coming down from the light fixture. Of course, this depends on how they ran the wiring. If they ran the wiring from the panel up through the switch and then on to the light fixture, it will have all the wires you need to add the receptacle. If there are only 2 wires on the switch plus a ground wire, then it is just a switch drop and there is no neutral wire. You need a neutral wire to install a receptacle. If all the wires that you need are present, then it is just a matter of hooking up the wires to the proper locations on the new switch and receptacle.
As far as changing a light fixture, it also depends on how they ran the wiring as to whether the switch will kill all power present in the light. You should always turn off the power to that circuit at the main panel. ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert J. Moore To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 12:13 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Over head lights and switches/outlets Two questions I have a light switch in my garage in the front. also the wall outlet is in the back and is not as handy as whare the light switch is. I would like to take out the light switch and put in a light switch/outlet. I have a friend that is pretty handy. is this a pretty streight forward task and can this be done by your average Joe long as you get the colors correct? also Just out of curiosity with an over head light If I were to replace one I would turn off the braker just to be on the safe side. but if you leave the braker on and turn off the light switch what is your chance of getting shocked, provided it is whired correctly in the first place? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/594 - Release Date: 12/20/2006 ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/594 - Release Date: 12/20/2006 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
