Find solution
What to do when you are frustrated and have no creative outlet?

Where to find a remote power outlet switched on/off by another outlet?

  • Remote power outlet switched on/off by another outlet, not a wall switch? I have a room with a light switch that controls a wall outlet, but that outlet is on the wrong side of the room from where we've put lamps. I know there are many options for RF switches that will control power receptacles, but they are all switches that you mount to the wall. I don't need that—I already have a switch, and it works fine, but it just operates the wrong outlet. What I'd like is a plug-in device that controls another power plug. I could then plug the transmitter into the outlet controlled by our wall switch, and when that's turned on/off, it would signal the other outlet to turn on/off. Sure there must be such a thing? I've searched but couldn't find one. Can anyone point me to a suitable product? (Or tell me of a clever way of accomplishing the same thing?)

  • Answer:

    Depending on how the room is wired, it may be a trivial wiring change to make the outlet in question switched. I'd hesitate to call an electrician just to find out if this is possible, but if you know anyone who is handy with wiring, they can tell you if this is possible in a couple minutes (and possibly do the work in about the same time).

StrawberryPie at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

If this isn't a thing... the other hacky option is... an extension cord around the base of the room from where the outlet is to where you want the lamps to be.

brainmouse

You could take out the existing switch and hardener the existing switched outlet to on. Then install the rf outlet in the old switch's place. There is no real way to have one outlet control another as you specify. There are things made to only turn on when current is flowing but that would still require you to run extention cords.

d4nj450n

@ssg: I'm unfortunately in an apartment building, and don't have the option of rewiring. Otherwise, you're right, that would have been ideal. @brainmouse: that crossed my mind, but I was hoping for a more, um, attractive solution. @d4nj450n: I agree, that's an option. I thought about doing that, and might still go that route. It just seemed that there must be some form of transmitter that would be turned on when plugged in (or in this case, when the power to the plug is turned on via a switch). It doesn't seem all that different from the typical RF switches operating a remote plug. I just need something that senses when power is turned on at the transmitter side, rather than a button-operated transmitter. I can't believe there isn't a gadget that does this :-). (Guess I'm an eternal believer in gadgets.)

StrawberryPie

Can't you just wire the currently switched outlet to be permanently on (as d4nj450n suggested), then replace the switch AND the other outlet with appropriate RF devices?

jon1270

JJ86

JJ86

@jon1270: Indeed, yes, that could be done, but I am hoping to find something that would avoid all that. If key-fob-based RF switches exists, and RF switches that mimic the look of regular wall switches also exist, then a switch triggered by power at an outlet coming on/off may exist as well. That's what I'm hoping to find. @JJ86: Thanks for your suggestions, but these are exactly the things I mentioned I'm trying not to use.

StrawberryPie

What about something like this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0035YGLZG/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/? There are various flavors of this in the woodworking realm, since this one probably isn't very decor-friendly.

specialnobodie

@specialnobodie: Not quite, but getting close. If only the two halves were wirelessly controlled! Thanks for pointing it out, though, because it introduced me to new stuff I didn't know existed.

StrawberryPie

Load more

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.