I wanted to install an iPod loudspeaker system in my master bedroom, and needed a dedicated, switched outlet (switched because the silly thing draws 8 W when "off" and it will be "off" many more hours than it will ever be on. When on, it only draws 10 W, so there isn't much difference). The only answer is to shut it off completely by removing power. So not only did I want a switched outlet, I wanted an indicator of when the outlet was on. I searched high and low for a switched outlet with an LED indicator - but all I could find were units with incandescent indicators that ALWAYS glowed, regardless of switch position. So it was time to make my own.

The first step was to wire up a Yamaguchi nightlight board to the proper terminals on the outlet. I then glued two turquoise 20 mA LEDs on the side of the switch, and glued the circuit board to the back of the assembly, and insulated it.

Wired it all up in the new hole I made in my wall.

Shoved it in into the box, and fired it up. Somewhat blinding in this configuration. And that is one of the reasons why I chose not to pop the LEDs through the cover plate. The other reason was to make taking the cover plate off easier!

I just fire the LEDs into the back of the white plastic plate, and the switch now has hidden pilot lights. The entire plate glows around the edges and around the switch and outlet holes as you can see. You can definitely tell when this thing is on! At night the whole room as a turquoise cast. Eventually I'd like to find a more translucent cover plate. Anybody have a source?

And here I thought I was all unque! LiteAswitch beat me to it. Even if theirs lights backwards by default (light in intended to go on when the switch is off, and vice-versa).