3-way switch + plug… got 4 conductors
Once upon a time I cut a trench from the house to the toolshed so that I could put in a water line for a hose bibb on the side of the toolshed. While I was at it I threw in two runs of direct burial 12/2g for good measure. So, I have (4) 12 gauge conductors + 2 ground wires running out to the shed from my crawl space.
At the time I figured I’d simply put a plug and a light in the shed and call it good. The extra wire was just… extra. Now my wife wants to know if I can install a 3-way switching setup, one switch in the house and one in the shed, both controlling the light in/on the shed. Easy enough, if that’s all I’m doing, but I also want the receptacle in the shed too, and not switched with the light.
I’m assuming that–if it’s possible at all–it means a common neutral or some such, but I’m really not sure and I definitely know enough to be dangerous. What’re my options?
Replies
No Problem. You will just bring the line voltage into the switch box at the house. One 12/2 will feed the outlet with a shared neutral to the light in the shed.
The other 12/2 will be connected to the 3 way switch. The hot (black) line voltage at the house will be connected to the common on the switch. And the black (hot) fixture wire will be connected to the common on the switch in the shed.
Take your time, you can do it.
Edited 11/7/2005 12:29 am by dutchblue
Edited 11/7/2005 12:37 am by dutchblue