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    davidbiek's Avatar
    davidbiek Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jun 16, 2008, 11:19 PM
    Add a receptacle to a 3-way switch
    I hope that this is possible, since I don't have the option of pulling new wire to this location. I want to add a receptacle next to an existing 3-way switch that controls a fluorescent light in a kitchen. Coming into the junction box is a single 12/3 nm cable, with a black, a red, and a white wire (no ground, the installation is probably about 40 years old).

    By following an illustration I found online, I ended up with this: if the light switch is off, I have power to the receptacle, but if the light switch is on, I have light but no power to the receptacle.

    Any help will be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    David
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jun 17, 2008, 04:08 AM
    This can 100% absolutely NOT be done. DO NOT even try.

    There is NO neutral present in this box.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jun 17, 2008, 05:15 AM
    You can 3 way switch receptacle with existing light. You may have a problem getting a neutral their as the 12-3 likely only has 2 travellers and either a hot or switched leg, A neutral is needed.
    davidbiek's Avatar
    davidbiek Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jun 17, 2008, 12:36 PM
    stanfortyman and stratmando:


    Thanks for the quick reply on the 3-way question. I guess, since there is no neutral in the box, that it would also be impossible to wire the receptacle so that it was live only when the light was switched on. Is that right?

    David
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jun 17, 2008, 12:57 PM
    That is correct.
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