Help with older house wiring

[transferguy]

Posted By: dakota95

Recently I moved into an older home & was hoping to change out the light switch my bathroom to a combination light toggle switch-receptacle. The wiring in the bathroom is only a 2 wire (1 white & 1 black) setup. The toggle switch-receptacle I have found look to be only for a 3 wire connection. I'm hoping that somebody can steer me in the right direction to wire it or find the correct switch-receptacle.

WEB LINK

is the type of switch-receptacle I have.

Thanks for any help & tips,
Steve

[transferguy]

posted by: Mr T

Houses up through the late 40's early 50's often use switch loops. You have a switch loop if there is only 1 cable entering the switch box and 1 wire goes to 1 screw and the other goes to the 2nd screw. There is no neutral wire in this setup and no way to power a outlet. A "white" wire in this setup should be marked black or covered with tape. It is not a neutral in this case.

I would suggest running a new 20A circuit back to your panel if there is room in it. Install a GFI outlet and you wont have to worry about your wife tripping a breaker when she goes out and buys the largest hair dryer made.

[transferguy]

posted by: Navyguy

As has been stated, you cannot put a receptacle there unless you run some additional wiring. The correct switch for that application is called a "single pole switch".

Cheers

John