three way switch question

[desert]

I asked this someplace else and wasnt clear on the answer so I will ask here..

I have a three way switch set up for my kitchen lights ( a switch on each side of the kitchen ) what I want to do is replace one of the kitchen light switches with a switch outlet combo and wire it so that:

- the switch still retains the three way fucntion for the lights
- the outlet portion remains constantly hot ( regardless of switch position )

Home Depot employees say that what I want to do here is not possible because a switch outlet combo is not designed for this kind of use.

Is this true? if not how do I wire this sucker?

Thanks

 

[MrMark]

Depends on which side of the three way the power comes in on. You can do it if the common in the box is the power leg.

 

[Justanoldguy]

Can someone point me to a diagram of how this works?

 

[GShelton]

You would have to find a combo that was a 3 way, but I have never seen one.

 

[Jinks]

Google "3 way switch outlet combo" & you'll find several. Here's one:http://www.westsidewholesale.com/leviton-5245-w.html

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As 'Mr Mark' pointed out, this will only work if the 'source' power for the circuit comes into the box that you want to add the outlet too. You need to look in both boxes and figure where your incoming power is.

 

[pfctblu]

The Pass & Seymour versions have removable spades on the rear to select independent vs switched power to the outlet. Google Pass Seymour TM838

Edit: However, as noted above, you will need power to the box to have the OPTION to select "independent"

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depends on which side of the three way the power comes in on. You can do it if the common in the box is the power leg.

Yep !

Can someone point me to a diagram of how this works?

Google and YouTube are your friend ! (Not a 3 way switch but that is just standard wiring.)

 

[Jinks]

Can someone point me to a diagram of how this works?

http://robbieselectrical.com/3wayswitchworks.html

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I'll take a stab at this. With a 3 way switch you have a switch at each end of the circuit. One of the 3ways has power coming IN to the COMMON, then two "travelers" going out to the other switch with a white neutral. The other 3way has these two "travelers" coming IN and the power goes OUT to the light on the COMMON. If you want to add a recpeticle to a switch, and make it a "combo" you need to do this with the switch that the power comes from. To determine which this is, safely, power off, remove the two switches and check for power on the common with the device switched off. You will need to turn the power on to do this. One of the switches will have 120V at the "COMMON", device off, the other will not. The one with the 120V present is the one you can rewire for a recepticle.

 

[chicken89]

question- instead of maintaining the 2 3-way switches, how would I go about removing the 3- way switches, and just go to a 1 pole switch?
I have a 3-way switch in my house that controls the lights in the garage, along with the other 3-way switch in the garage. I would rather just have the 1 switch in the garage.

 

[pattenp]

Remove the 2 3-way switches and wire nut off one of the traveler wires. Then wire nut together the common and the other traveler wire in the house box and place a single pole switch on the common and the used traveler wire in the garage box.

question- instead of maintaining the 2 3-way switches, how would I go about removing the 3- way switches, and just go to a 1 pole switch?
I have a 3-way switch in my house that controls the lights in the garage, along with the other 3-way switch in the garage. I would rather just have the 1 switch in the garage.

 

[chicken89]

Thank you, i should get it done tomorrow!!!

 

[desert]

thank you for answers