Is it possible to convert a switched light into an unswitched outlet?

Question

I am installing an overhead automatic garage door opener. My only power source close to where I will be hanging the motor is an overhead light socket that is operated by a switch on the wall next to the house entry door.

I wanted to know if it is possible to rewire the light socket with a standard electrical plug outlet AND to remove the switch & wire it to provide constant power to the new outlet. The overhead light is on my 15A garage GFI circuit & the opener lists 120V/6A as its power requirements.

I live in the US.

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely!. You can do this by pulling out the switch, and splicing together the two wires that formerly went to the switch. Then put a blank cover plate over that switch's electrical box.

You should know however, that you don't have to have a constant power outlet for a garage door opener. You can have a garage door opener on a switched outlet just fine. And you can use that switch as a lightweight form of security lockout.

I would recommend instead you put a switch guard like this over it, and just keep that switch on forever. It's less work and easier to undo. It also would let you cut power to your opener if you wanted to without getting up on a ladder.

Put a descriptive label on it "Garage door, do not turn off" if you want.

You can also get adapters that give you two outlets and a light socket with a pullchain, into which you can plug your garage door.

This way you can keep the light in place and also avoid having to do any wiring in the ceiling. However, you should shop around and make sure it can supply the amperage you want. Use LED bulbs to conserve amperage and stand up to the vibration of the opener better.

If you cant find a double-outlet-plus-pullchain-light adapter (above) that satisfies your amperage need, then consider one of the single-outlet adapters:

Lastly, if none of those do what you like, you should replace the light fixture with one that has its own built in outlet, so that you don't lose the overhead light capability. This is rated for the full 15A of a normal outlet, and accepts a grounded plug without the cheater adapter you would otherwise need for the light-socket-to-outlet adapters above.

You can get all of these parts at any common home center. Have fun!

Answer 2

If the box containing the switch contains only the two wires that are connected to the switch plus a ground wire, you already have power in the ceiling box. You can install a second box in the ceiling and have both the switched light and the outlet for the opener.

If the box containing the switch contains two wires and ground from the circuit breaker plus two wires and ground going to the ceiling, disconnect the two wires connected to the switch and connect them to each other. Remove the switch and replace the switch plate with a blank cover.

Another alternative

If there is un-switched power coming to the ceiling box, you could also replace the ceiling light socket with one of these:

Answer 3

Yes, "it is possible to rewire the light socket with a standard electrical plug outlet AND to remove the switch & wire it to provide constant power to the new outlet." But, I wouldn't do it that way if I was you.

All you probably have to do is install a new receptacle into your ceiling near your light bulb & then run NM-B building wire to the closest electric circuit in your attic & then connect the wires in parallel with those wires.

Important Note!: One thing you want to be sure of before making such a connection is that you won't be overloading that electrical circuit by adding your garage opener to it. That can sometimes happen when too many loads are connected to an electrical circuit. That task is one of the things a properly qualified technician or an electrician would do for you.

If you want to diy, then add up all of the peak Watts of all of the devices that are connected to that circuit & try to keep the total Wattage under what the breaker is rated for. For example, a 120V, 15A breaker can provide up to 1800W (120V*15A) before it will break(trip). If you only have one light on that circuit & you're using a 100W bulb, then 1800W-100W=1700W of available power. If your garage opener draws a peak 5A then 120V*5A=600W. 600W is well below your 1700W of available power.

But, in general, if you have any other loads on that circuit, they may eat away at your available Wattage & you may not have enough Watts available when your garage open is started. Remember, all of those loads would have to be going simultaneously for the breaker to trip (which usually doesn't happen--but it is possible, depending on your specific loads).

Answer 4

Yes, it is possible.

In the switch box should be 6 wires: 2 blacks, 2 whites, and 2 grounds. The white wires should currently be wire nutted together. The blacks should currently be screwed onto each terminal of the switch, and the grounds should be wire nutted together and pigtailed to the switch. Of course this all depends on the age of the wiring as it might not have a ground or such and there could be other wires sharing the box, but these are the ones you'll want.

1. Cut power to the circuit by flipping the breaker.
2. Remove the switch from the box.
3. Remove the pigtail from the ground and wire nut them back together.
4. Wire nut the two black wires together.
5. Add a blank cover back to the switch box.

Your switch is now gone and if you flip the breaker back on now, the light will stay on - constant power.

Now in the light box, you'll have just 3 wires: 1 black, 1 white, and 1 ground. They should all be connected to the existing light.

1. Ensure power is off.
2. Remove the light and disconnect the wires from it.
3. Bring in your new receptacle and connect all three wires back to it:
4. Connect the black wire to the bronze screw terminal.
5. Connect the white wire to the silver screw terminal.
6. Connect the ground to the green screw.
7. Add a cover and it's good to go.

Answer 5

Would have made this a comment if I had more reputation.

I suggest that you leave the power to the garage door opener switched, as @Billy C said. When I had an opener installed I actually had them ADD a switch so I could shut the opener off. As he said, cheap security.