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View Full Version : Have a switch that is piggybacked off another switch need 1st one hot always?


mdemt
Aug 25, 2010, 07:31 AM
I have a switch that is piggybacked off the switch that controls the light over my kitchen sink. I need the 1st switch to be hot all the time not only when the light over the sink is on. How can I fix this?

hkstroud
Aug 25, 2010, 07:50 AM
Not sure I understand your question. You have a switch that controls your kitchen light and want to do something but I don't know what. Tell us more about what you are trying to do.

donf
Aug 25, 2010, 11:38 AM
Okay,

If you have one feed, that is part of a switch loop, then you have a constant hot feeding both switches. Switches do not use a neutral conductor unless there is a pilot light or some other constant need.

The constant feed, can feed two switches. Normally, feed from the ceiling is brought to the switches via the white conductor that has been re-tasked (marked with either black or non white, gray or green color to signify that it is a hot conductor).

The way I would do it is to wire-nut two short black conductors to the white conductor (if it is the constant hot). One black pigtail would then feed the lower screw on each switch. That way, both switches stay hot and can be operated individually.