[lebleu29]

Hi there. I'm running into wiring problems with adding an outlet off a three-way switch. Could anyone tell me if it's possible with the current wiring depicted in the images below? If possible, could you let me know which existing wires I should attach the new ones to via pigtail? Thanks.



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...-h605-no/1.jpg

[ma0641]

If the power comes to the switch and then through the switch it can be done by pigtailing off BEFORE the switch. If the switches are connected as a switch loop it can't be done since there is never any neutral, hot and 2 traveler legs and they change from being hot to not being hot. Picture looks like a switch loop with black and white together. Little scary too. Wire nuts? Wire leads stripped out?

[hkstroud]

Correct me where I'm wrong.

There is one 2-wire cable and one 3-wire cable in this box.

There is only a 3-wire cable in the other switch box.

The black wire that is taped to the white wire goes to the common of the switch.

The black wire that is connected to the white wire with a wire nut is from the 2-wire cable. The white wire is from the 3-wire cable.

[ma0641]

I didn't initially click on #2 photo. What voltage to you get on the outlet if any. Does it switch? It may be the same piece of Romex shown in #1 and as connected looks like a switch loop.

[hkstroud]

I didn't initially click on #2 photo

Neither did I, didn't know it was there.

Forget my post.

[donf]

Who did that wiring?

Why is there a black and a white conductor capped off together?

Just a comment, back stabbing conductors is not a wise choice. Over time the latch springs inside the switch will weaken causing loose connections. Use the screw connections.

Connecting the bare ground to the screw on the box is really useless. Ground is normally supplied by the yoke of the switch.

Why in God's name is the new receptacle have exposed copper conductor? Why is there so much tape. If installed properly, there is no reason for electrical tape on and receptacle.

[hkstroud]

Don
You must not have looked at the second picture either.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...-h605-no/1.jpg

[donf]

Hank,

Yes I looked at the second pic. If you look into the box, you can see a Black/White pair capped together in both pics. Most noticeable in #1. In pic #1, you can clearly see the mixed pair. Also, if you look at the right edge of the pic, near the arrow you can see a black conductor and a white conductor wrapped with tape. And the Bare ground wire appears to go behind the first receptacle and is connected under one of the box screws instead of unto the yoke of the new receptacle.

[hkstroud]

Hi Don,

I don't know of course, but suspect that of the black and white capped together, the white is the white of the 3-wire cable from the other 3-way switch and the black is the black returning power to the light. The black and white that is taped together is labeled (in second pic) as the new cable installed to go to the outlet.

I suppose it is taped just to keep from scratching yourself while working.

Yes there appears to be a ground wire under a mounting screw. Whether it's the ground from the new cable or the some other ground we can't tell. Clearly not proper. Lebleu29 (or someone else) probably doesn't know that there is a screw hole in the back of the metal box for a proper ground screw.