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Sat 1 Jul, 2017 03:08 pm
Hi there. My question concerns what I would consider to be an "odd" wiring solution for a kitchen pendant light switched by a newly installed "air-switch" embedded in a granite counter.
This is all brand new construction using a licensed contractor (and presumably licensed sub-contractors).
They installed an Insinkerator (tm) air-switch like you'd see for a disposal application. The "switch module" is energized by a standard outlet (switched by the air-switch) and, in turn, has a standard outlet built into the face of the "switch module" where you'd plug in your appliance (disposal).
This is where it gets weird for me. This air-switch is used to switch an overhead pendant light. The electrician ran the wires from the light to a regular outlet under the sink. Think standard outlet but not energized. He then created a "male to male" cord by cutting two cheap lamp cords and splicing them together by twisting the wires and covering the splice with electric tape.
Now, follow this: one end of the male-to-male extension cord plugs into the back of the air-switch module and the other end runs to the non-energized wall outlet where the pendant light was wired.
So to summarize:
* Air-Switch module gets 110 from a regular wall outlet under the sink
* Male-to-Male home-made "extension cord" plugs into the air-switch module
* Other end plugs into NON-engergized wall outlet under the sink (not labeled) to power the over-head light
I'm no electrician, but this strikes me as extremely odd and possibly dangerous. The electric-tape splice seems really ill-advised for a potentially wet environment under a sink. (I'm thinking of the day I have to take apart the P-trap).
The worst part for me is the though of somebody unplugging the cord to the unmarked pendant light outlet and then plugging it into any number of powered A/C outlets inches away. That seems like a boom or shock waiting to happen.
Finally, it just seems super odd-duck to have an outlet that is not providing power but really is just a junction for a light overhead.
The whole contraption "works" but I just can't believe this is safe. Before I confront the electrician, I wanted to get some insights. Much appreciated.
God bless.
FoothillTom
@FoothillTom,
I would get the man's supervisor to come over and review the work.