1/2 switch 1/2 hot wire outlet?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I currently have a GFCI outlet under my sink, to which the garbage disposal is connected. Of course, the disposal is on a wall switch.

I would like to have 1 of those plugs in that garbage disposal outlet, to have power all the time (not controlled by the wall switch).

1. What do I need to modify (take off) of the plug that I want hot full time?

2. I've heard that if this outlet is at the front OR end of a line, this type of 1/2 & 1/2 application can't be done? If true, how do I know if my outlet is 1st or last in it's line?

I would greatly appreciate any help on both of those questions!

Thanks in advance!

Gary

[Anonymous]

...just wanted to clarify in case it wasn't apparent.
both of the plugs in the current garbage disposal outlet are controled by the wall switch.
I just need to know how to modify one of them to be constantly hot.

thanks.

[Wgoodrich]

Open you receptacle and look to see if you have two romex cables inside that receptacle box. If you only have one cable [black, white, bare] inside that box then you are end of line and you will have to run a new cable with a black, white, red, bare from the switch box to that receptacle replacing that old cable that is a black white and bare only.

If you have two romex cables both having black white and bare in each cable in that receptacle box then you can do as you wish without running new wires.

To explain what we are trying to find out is if you have power in that receptacle box or just a switch leg from that switch with power in the switch and not in the receptacle box.

Tell us which you have then we will proceed from there.

Curious

Wg

[Anonymous]

thanks for the reply so far!

I have 2 wire bundles (not sure if they are romex cables) coming into the box. So I'm assuming right now that I'm not at the end of the line!?

There are two black wires that are capped and pushed inside. On the outlet, I have 2 white and 1 bare on the left side...and 1 red wire on the top right side (outlet facing outwards).

So...at this point, all I need to do is take a white wire off either top or bottom post on the left side to make that plug full time hot....right?

[Wgoodrich]

I am thinking right now that you got lucky and can easily do as you wish.

No you must leave the white wires connected as they are.

ON the side where the red wire is connected to a brass screw I expect there is a second screw that is empty.

If I am right turn off you power at the braeker. Make a black pigtail about 6" long and wire it under the wire nut with the two black wires. This will make three black wires under that one wire nut. Take the other end of that 6" pigtailed wire that you installed under that wire nut and install it on that empty brass screw of the receptacle.

Look between the two brass screws and you should find a small metal tab that connects those two brass screws. REMOVE THAT METAL TAB THAT CONNECTS THOSE TO BRASS SCREWS ON THAT REECEPTACLE. It is our goal to have those two brass screws separated and acting differently from each other. LEAVE THE SILVER TAB BETWEEN THE TWO SILVER SCREWS. DO NOT REMOVE THE SILVER TAB. ONLY REMOVE THE TAB BETWEEN THE TWO BRASS SCRWS AND LEAVE THE WHITE WIRES WHERE THEY ARE NOW UNTOUCHED.

Turn on you power and you should have what you wish being one plug in of this duplex recepatacle switch controlled and the other one plug in of this duplex receptacle hot all the time.

Let us know how you come out.

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

thanks again for the info!

once last question if you don't mind....
I know I need sold core copper wire, but what gauge?

My house is only 4 months old, and I live in california (if that matters).

[Wgoodrich]

If you are talking about the wire size of the pigtail, then match the wire size you have now. If in question use a piece of 12 awg copper.

Wg

[Anonymous]

I have successfully completed this job and would like to thank you Wgoodrich, for your advice on how to accomplish my task.
It really wasn't that difficult at all....but I just didn't know where to start.

Thanks again!

rxsid

[Wgoodrich]

Thank you for telling us of your success in your DoItYourself project.

Love seeing your success makes us feel a bit more useful in helping others.

See ya on your next project.

Good Luck

Wg