Expert: Don Beck - 9/20/2006

Question
I want to install two flourescent light fixtures that came wired with plugs to an outlet in two separate locations in my basement. I want to control both receptacles into which each light will be plugged with two 3-way switches from two different points in the basement.

Can you provide me with specifics about how to wire such an arrangement. A diagram would be helpful.

Thank you very much for you help.

Answer
Hi Dick

The first thing we need a source of power. It can ab outlet or the breaker panel.

Running the wires:

From the source, run a 14/2 with ground romex to switch #1.

From switch # 1 run a 14/3 with ground to switch # 2.

From switch # 2 run a 14/2 with ground to the 1st switched outlet # 1.

From switched outlet # 1 runa 14/2 to switched outlet # 2.

---------------------------------------------------------

Connecting the wires:

Switch #1 connections:

The hot black feed coming from the power source goes onto the dark colored screw of  3 way switch #1.

The Black and red in the 14/3 going to switch # 2 get connected to the 2 light colored screws of switch # 1.

The white wire in the hot feed 14/2 gets connected to the white wire going to switch # 2.



Switch # 2 connections:

The red and the black wires coming from switch # 1 go onto the 2 light colored screws of switch # 2.

The white wire coming from switch # 1 gets connected to the white wire going to outlet # 1.

The black wire going to outlet # 1 gets connected to the dark colored screw of switch # 2.

Outlet # 1 connections:

The black coming from switch # 2 gets connected to one of the dark colored screws of outlet # 1.

The white coming from switch # 2 gets connected to one of the silver colored screws of the outlet.

The black wire going to outlet # 2 gets connected to the other dark colored scrw of outlet # 1.

The white going to outlet # 2 gets connected to the other silver screw of outlet # 1.

Outlet # 2 connections:

The black coming from outlet # 1 gets connected to the dark screw of outlet # 2.

The white coming from outlet # 1 gets connected to the silver screw of outlet # 2.


All the ground wires(green or bare) get connected to the green screws of each device. If there are no green screws, twist all the ground in that box together.


I have tried before to send diagrams thru this site, but in the transmission, they get all fouled up and are almost impossible to understand.

I can draw a diagram and scan it up and send it thru regular E mail, but I would need your E mail address and I would also have to wait until tomorrow to do this as I have no idea hpw to scan up a document, but my wife does.
I hope I spelled out the pulling of wires and the connections at each location where you can understand it if you just take it one step at a time. However, if you need a diagram to get it clear in your mind as to what needs to be done, let me know and I'll E mail it to you tomorrow.

Don