How to tell if home is wired for lights??

Question

I recently purchased a new home. It is a new construction built late last year. I notice that all the rooms have a light switch. I naturally thought that the light switch worked an outlet as we home no light or ceiling openings. Today, I checked the switch to the outlet and the switches do not work any of the outlets. I proceeded to remove the switch and notice that they are wired. I tried checking for wiring in the attic and have not been successful ast there is over 10" of blown insulation in the attic.

Questions...

1. Is it safe to assume that the rooms are wired for electricity and the ceiling openings were never made?

2. What is the best way to verify if their is wiring present?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Jay

Answer 1

ask your neighbor

Answer 2

When it comes to electrical, never assume.

One option you have is to purchase is a tester that detects the presence of electricity in a wire. You just need to be near the wire and do not actually have to touch it. It may detect through the drywall and you can trace it from the light switch. They are pretty commonly available at hardware stores. I bought mine from a electrical wholesaler. Here is what one looks like http://ca.fluke.com/caen/products/Fluke+...

I believe that plans are held by the city. You should call the division where they issue permits for construction and see where they may be held. You can then look at the electrical plans to see how they set it up. Keep in mind that what is actually there may not be exactly as they are drawn on the plans.

Answer 3

First check power in all the outlets in the rooms, the top of the two outlets may be switched and the bottom always hot.  Turn the switch off and plug a light into both the top and bottom.  Code requires all rooms to have switched overhead lighting or a switched outlet so unless the contractor didn't have the house inspected they didn't isolate the switched portion of the outlet from the hot, so they are both always hot.  If they are both hot, remove the outlet cover and pull the outlet out (without shocking yourself) to look at the sides.  If there are two black wires attached and two white wires (could be only one) attached look at the side to the outlet and you should see a small metal tab with a slot connecting the top and bottom screws on the side of the outlet.  Shut off the power and break the tab by inserting a screwdriver into the slot and twisting.  Breaking this connection will isolate the top and bottom plug, one switched, one always hot.  All your outlets may be wired this way or only one or two.  I would look at all the outlets before you break the tabs.  This is just a little step overlooked and not caught be the inspector.  What your are looking for is a constant hot wire and a switched wire coming into the boxes, this could look like 2 14-2 wires, one hot, one switched and 2 14-2 exiting the box to the next outlet or 1 14-3 (1 hot black wire, 1 switched black wire, 1 neutral white wire, 1 ground copper wire) coming in and 1 14-3 going out to the next box.