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Calling all electricians...

Ebuuck

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Aug 13, 2012
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10
I have a slight issue and can't figure this out. I'm trying to run two recepticles with a switch. My circuit (power feed) is coming in from the recepticles then into the switch (end of circuit switch). The switch just doesn't do anything when it's all hooked up. I'm using 12/2 wire. Do I need to be using 12/3 between the recepticles? Someone must know what they are doing.......:willy_nil
 
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Gary S

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Dec 27, 2008
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Is your power wire and neutral from the incoming power connected to the receptacle where it enters the box? If so, there is no way you can switch it after that.
 

pattenp

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outlet-switch-electrical-diagram.gif
 
OP
E

Ebuuck

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Aug 13, 2012
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I've done this, didn't work. I have two recepticals then the switch. I can get the one like in the diagram but two receps. must be different???
 

pattenp

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If the two receps are on the end of the circuit and are fed one from the other then switching the hot wire before the first recep will power off both. You must have some wiring going on that you don't know about.

Can you post a hand sketch of how you think the two receps are wired? Are the receps in the middle of a circuit or the last two in the circuit?
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
Once again, pattenp is the man with his great diagram.

If the second recep. isn't switching make sure it is spliced into the hot going to the first recep. which is coming from the switch. The wiring to switch 2 recep. isn't any different than one recep.!
 
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VHF

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Oct 27, 2008
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NW Wisconsin
If you want both recepticles controlled by the switch you would need 12/3 at least between the recepticals. Running 12/3 up to the switch as well simplifies the color coding and gives a NEC 2011-compliant installation (with a neutral available in the switch box for future use.)

12/2 from circuit breaker (black = hot)
12/3 between junction boxes (black = hot, red = switched hot)
12/3 to switch (black = hot, red = switch hot)

In box 1, wire nut the two black wires together. Connect the red wire to the brass screw on the recepticle.

In box 2, wire nut the two black wires together. Connect the two red wires to the brass screws on the recepticle (or pigtail using a wire nut).

In the switch box, the red and black wires go to the switch. Cap off the unused white neutral with a wire nut. Both outlets will be controlled by the switch.

(If you wanted, you could have 1/2 of each outlet controlled by the switch and the other half hot all the time... this is handy for placing lamps around a room all controlled by the wall switch, but lets you plug in other stuff that gets power all the time.)
 

wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
Needing 12/3 depends on which junction box the power comes into and which junction box the switch loop comes into. If the NM feeding the switch and the NM feeding the circuit comes into the same recep. jnc. box, then 12/3 would not be needed between the receps. because the circuit feeder could be spliced into the black wire going to the switch. We definitely need a diagram and more info to help out the OP.

Which junction box has the circuit feeder and which junction box has the switch loop?
 
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Ebuuck

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Aug 13, 2012
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VHF has it for me. Both receps. are being used by the switch so 12/3 is needed between the two. I found a diagram online after some doing which explained the same thing. I'll let you guys know how I made out, Thanks for all the help!
 

wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
VHF has it for me. Both receps. are being used by the switch so 12/3 is needed between the two. I found a diagram online after some doing which explained the same thing. I'll let you guys know how I made out, Thanks for all the help!

What do u mean "being used"?
 
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