Figuring Out What Swiches Control?

[D45]

Ok, so I have a single wall switch, which is the main switch for the enclosed patio and outside backyard lights

Next to this single switch, I have a 4 switch panel.........the first switch on the left controls two lights on the wall, in the enclosed patio.

The second switch is for the outlet near the pool, which I use to remotely turn on/off the pool pump

The third switch is for the two outlets near the pool, which turn on/off the lights for the pool

However, the switch on the far right has me lost......no idea what it is for

Any ideas?

 

[LXCam]

First step take the cover off and see if there's any wires attached. It could just be a dummy switch. Next if there are wires attached see if they head off the same direction as the pool equipment wiring goes. Obviously that's not conclusive but it's a start.

 

[garage guy1of38]

Any switched outlets nearby?

 

[jim111]

Does the pool have a light underwater?

 

[D45]

Does the pool have a light underwater?

Yes, the third switch is for the pool lights

 

[D45]

Any switched outlets nearby?

None that I can find or are aware of

 

[rburke65]

Security lights that were never installed.

 

[JRC3]

Any switched outlets nearby?

This is my first thought...If there is a switched outlet near by that didn't have the duplex tab broken, I see it all the time. Second thought is a ceiling fan.

In other words...

This tab must be snapped off so half the outlet stays hot and the other is switched.


Next. look to see if there is a red wire...

It's common to run that to something like a ceiling fan to control the light and fan separately. Could also be done for other reasons. Not all double circuits are ran with 3 wire, sometimes they use a black off another 2 wire.

 

[D45]

Time to pull the cover and check

 

[exranger06]

Use a non-contact voltage detector to trace the wire in the wall. Keep in mind that other live wires in the wall may throw you off. To avoid that, you can shut off some of the breakers so that all of the wires in the wall are dead. Then, take an old extension cord and cut the female plug off. Disconnect the wires from the "mystery switch" and splice the wires to the extension cord. Plug the extension cord into an outlet that still has power. Now, the only wires in the wall that are still live are the ones connected to the mystery switch. Now it's a lot easier to use the non-contact voltage detector. I used this method to figure out what a mystery switch did in my house. Turns out, it wasn't connected to anything. The wire was just dangling inside the wall; it didn't even terminate in a box. I think it was supposed to connect to a vanity light fixture that was never installed.

 

[markhm]

There was a great "Married With Children" episode on exactly this topic. If you find it, you will see how Al Bundy figured out what the mystery switch controlled.

 

[justsam]

Check your roof and eves for receptacles, there could be provision for Christmas lights.

If you have an AC ammeter, leave the switch off, connect the ammeter to the terminals and see if any current is being drawn. That will tell you if there is a load someplace, and based on current drawn a bit of a clue as to what it might be.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I was wondering who kept turning my basement lights off on me all time. Cut it out....and just leave the switch in the "On" position please....

I agree with everyone who said the first step is to remove the wall cover and see how that switch is wired up. It might be that someone wired up that switch for something that is no longer there, or they wanted to add it as a "just in case" switch position for future use.

Jim

 

[CoogarXR]

Got an unfinished basement? Can you see where the wires go from below?

 

[D45]

Bumping this up

Yes I have crawl and half poured basement

there is a large metal junction box in the crawl, and all the wires go outside

I just installed a 4x4 post, LED solar light, and a two outlet waterproof setup.

I have a ton of wires in the box on the 4x4 post, and need to ID them in order to install two gcfi outlets

I plan on also running plastic conduit in the ground to anither post and out about 25 feet away for another switch pool outlet

Any suggestions?

 

[D45]

Someone recommended buying or borrowing or renting a "tone and probe" kit

Since I have all the wiring at the outlet box I should be able to determine which wire goes to which switch?

 

[JRas]

First step take the cover off and see if there's any wires attached. It could just be a dummy switch. Next if there are wires attached see if they head off the same direction as the pool equipment wiring goes. Obviously that's not conclusive but it's a start.

This, see if it's actually hooked up and has a switch leg out.

Half Hot's are common, and like the gentleman said before many times a track home electrician forgot to brake the tab. Basically makes the switched receptacle hot at all times, granted the entire receptacle is not switched.

Do you have any blanked light boxes close by?

 

[BigGarage]

Bumping this up

Yes I have crawl and half poured basement

there is a large metal junction box in the crawl, and all the wires go outside

I just installed a 4x4 post, LED solar light, and a two outlet waterproof setup.

I have a ton of wires in the box on the 4x4 post, and need to ID them in order to install two gcfi outlets

I plan on also running plastic conduit in the ground to anither post and out about 25 feet away for another switch pool outlet

Any suggestions?

Someone recommended buying or borrowing or renting a "tone and probe" kit

Since I have all the wiring at the outlet box I should be able to determine which wire goes to which switch?

What is your question? It seems like you know what you are doing.

Did you ever find out what the switch controlled in your original post?

Dennis

 

[alfredeneuman]

Yes, the third switch is for the pool lights

Unless the switch has a GFI downstream of the switch (or all the wires in the box have GFI protection) it shouldn't be there.

680.23 (F)(3) Conductors. Conductors on the load side of a ground fault circuit interrupter or of a transformer, used to comply with the provisions of 680.23(A)(8), shall not occupy raceways, boxes, or enclosures containing other conductors

 

[D45]

Need to find out which wires go to what wall switches inside my house

 

[D45]

I have 11 wires coming out of the ground going into this:

I need two install two GFI outlets here and then run wire into two more on the other side of the pool

 

[BigGarage]

However, the switch on the far right has me lost......no idea what it is for

Any ideas?

Is it too much trouble to read and reply to the people responding to you? Did you ever find out what the 4th switch controls?

Dennis <<<---Not replying for my health.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Could it be a light switch for the unfinished basement?

 

[dadsEH]

Just get a qualified electrician !

 

[wyliesdiesels]

what a mess

is that 1/2 or 3/4" conduit?

what is the gauge of the wires?

IF 1/2" and #12, youre over the permitted pipe fill limit.

 

[D45]

It's 3/4" plastic conduit

 

[CJseven]

Is it too much trouble to read and reply to the people responding to you? Did you ever find out what the 4th switch controls?



Dennis <<<---Not replying for my health.

Evidently it is.

 

[alfredeneuman]

If 1 of the wire is a ground, it means that 10 are current carrying.
10-20 current carrying wires in a conduit have to be derated to 50% of their ampacity.
#12 in that case can have no more than a 15A breaker.