Calling all residential electricians

[Pixguy]

Hi all, I'm looking to add an outlet to the double switch plate I have in this toilet room so my wife can get in a nightlight. I knew I'm supposed to use a gfci outlet in a wet area so instead of adding in an old construction outlet below, I decided to put in the combo switch/outlet shown below. There's two sets of wires coming into the box, I don't have my volt meter here in Florida and the wires are 14/3 and a 14/2. It appears obvious to me that the 14/2 wire is power coming in and the 14/3 goes up to the light/fan. I followed the instructions but the gfi pops each time I turn power in.
What am I doing wrong?

 

[dstig1]

That's not a 3-way switch, and the presence of a red wire (the 14/3) indicates it may well be a 3-way circuit. Is there another switch controlling that light?

Also you really don't need a GFCI there...

My $0.02

 

[grsthegreat]

You realize they make lighted coverplates if all you want is a nightlight

 

[grsthegreat]

Also, looking at that gfci. I think you need to power the fan switch from the load side of the gfci, not the line side. Ive seen gfci issues before where you split off a line to the device that receives its neutral from a gfci.

 

[Pixguy]

That's not a 3-way switch, and the presence of a red wire (the 14/3) indicates it may well be a 3-way circuit. Is there another switch controlling that light?

Also you really don't need a GFCI there...

My $0.02

The 3 wires lead up to the fan/light

 

[Pixguy]

You realize they make lighted coverplates if all you want is a nightlight


View attachment 848872

Decora ? Don't see it

 

[Pixguy]

Also, looking at that gfci. I think you need to power the fan switch from the load side of the gfci, not the line side. Ive seen gfci issues before where you split off a line to the device that receives its neutral from a gfci.

Please explain to me a bit more

 

[grsthegreat]

SwitchLight for Double Gang Light Switches | Lighted Wall Plates

The SnapPower Double-Gang SwitchLight offers the same innovative design as our single-gang model but is tailored for double-gang light switches. SwitchLight delivers soft accent lighting and practical pathway illumination throughout your home, enhancing nighttime aesthetics, safety and convenience.

www.snappower.com

 

[grsthegreat]

Please explain to me a bit more

The incoming feed to the fan switch needs to be powered from the load side of the gfci. Right now it’s being powered by incoming line side

 

[camshawn]

i think you may sharing the neutral with both the light, gfci and fan but not having all the power going through the gfci. My money would be to splice the 2 whites together with a tail to the line side of the GFCI plug. Then the fan and light are not on the GFCI, only the plug.

 

[lilranch2001]

You realize they make lighted coverplates if all you want is a nightlight


View attachment 848872

I have never seen a covered plate that lit up. Thank you.

 

[dougtrr2]

Rather than add a night light to the switch, I would change the overhead fixture. We have bathroom fan/light fixtures that include a night light. It is amazing how well a small night light in the ceiling fixture lights up the room.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Pixguy]

SwitchLight for Double Gang Light Switches | Lighted Wall Plates

The SnapPower Double-Gang SwitchLight offers the same innovative design as our single-gang model but is tailored for double-gang light switches. SwitchLight delivers soft accent lighting and practical pathway illumination throughout your home, enhancing nighttime aesthetics, safety and convenience.

www.snappower.com

Thanks grs but the house has decora switches.

 

[Pixguy]

The incoming feed to the fan switch needs to be powered from the load side of the gfci. Right now it’s being powered by incoming line side


View attachment 848876

Winner.... Thanks

I tried this this am and all is good. I may decide just to add a receptacle below cuz it is an open inside bay.
Thanks all!

 

[grsthegreat]

Glad you got it fixed. But those lighted covers come in toggle and decora style. Just have to scroll thru site.

 

[Pixguy]

Glad you got it fixed. But those lighted covers come in toggle and decora style. Just have to scroll thru site.

Ok. I only looked on Amazon. Thanks again

 

[grsthegreat]

The reason it tripped was due to uneven load thru gfci. The neutral was running thru gfci, but the fan positive wire was not. Now that you rerouted fan feed, its all balanced.

 

[Xfaxman]

Too late for this thread, but this is what I use: plugin switch - Image Search

Plug the nightlight into the plugin switch.

 

[Pixguy]

Glad you got it fixed. But those lighted covers come in toggle and decora style. Just have to scroll thru site.

I see the decora highlight now but I'll pass at $28.48 with shipping. thanks again tho

 

[Pixguy]

After all that, I'm going to add a receptacle below instead of that funky plug combo. It just looks weird. Thanks all