What should I do with a double gang box if I no longer need two separate switches? [solved]
We're relocating our TV to a side of our living room that has a power outlet controlled by a wall switch. The switch is part of a double gang box (1 switch controls the porch light, the other controls the outlet). I don't want people to accidentally turn off the electronics if they hit the wrong switch but I'm not sure what the right method would be to address this. It's a trivial issue so I'd like to avoid spending too much time on it.
What are the recommended options here?
I'm surprised that the switch controls the entire outlet -- generally in that setup (in North America at least), the switch only controls one plug, and the other plug is constant power. In that case of course, the answer is to use a power bar. It may even be worth checking in the plug to see if there is constant power available. You may be able to fix the wiring to work as I've described.
If you can't fix the problem at the plug, then remove the switch, connect the wires together with a wire nut, and then install a duplex faceplate with a blank. The only way I know of to do this is to use the 'decora' style blanks, and then either a duplex decora plate, or a combination toggle/decora plate.
The easiest solution is to buy a switch lock or switch guard.
Like others have said, you could add a lock out switch which would prevent it from being flipped.
You could also disconnect the switch, tie the wires together, but leave the switch in the box. That way it is not functioning and if someone flipped it, it would not matter. This is what I would probably do.
If there is non switched power in the box, you could put a receptacle in the location where the unused switch will be. May look a little odd if it is in the middle of the room. I have done this at counter height plugs in the kitchen.
This is probably extreme, but if you are 100% sure you wont use this, you could replace the box with a single, add a little drywall, and fully fix it up. But i imagine this is a lot of work, and you dont want it permeant.
Take out the switch, wire nut the wires together, and get a cover with one switch hole and one blank.
How To Wire 2 Single Pole Switch Inside 2 Gang J-Box To Light Fixture (2022) | DIY Beginner Tutorial
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