Changing a 3way switch from a Receptacle to a Light

You may want to add a light in a room in your home that is controlled by two switches. You have the switches already there but they control a plug, not a light and that's the problem. This article is going to tell you how to do that. Lets get one thing out of the way, looking at colors in a box is one way of doing and has worked for me many times. Just look for the switch leg, but what if they didn't wire it the way normal electricians wire and used the wrong colors. I have found this to be true just as often as it was done correctley so i will explain the sure fire way. Trouble shootiong.

Changing a 3way switch from a Receptacle to a Light

If you have any questions please ask in the comment link below, I will answer them to the best of my ability, also if you have future projects that you would like step by step instructions please post in the comment box I will usually answer the same day.

1) Tools.

a) Thin flat head screw driver

b) Phillips head screw driver

c) drill(optional)

d) wire strippers(maybe)

e) ac tester

f) electric tape

2) Remove the plate cover from the switch. This will be the easiest part of your project. On the top and bottom of the switch there will be small screws. You will need the thin flat head screwdriver to remove these. If the location you are installing the switch has multiple switches you will need to remove all the plate screws. Then remove the plate and place the screws and the plate together for replacing later. Do not lose those little screws believe me they are easy to lose.

3) Remove the switch from the wall. OK the fun part. Take a drill or a Phillips head screw driver and take out the screws on the top and bottom of the switch. Now grab the yoke of the switch(that's the top and bottom of the switch) do not grab the switch by the side we want to be sure the power is off and the only way to do this is to pull out the switch. The power is located on the side so if you grab it by the sides and for some reason the power is still on you will get shocked. This is electricity SAFETY FIRST!!!!! So grab the yoke and pull out the switch. If you are in a box with multiple switches you may need to remove multiple switches to be able to pull your switch out far enough to easily work on it. Wires commonly get stuck behind other switches so take the extra step you will wind up doing it anyway after trying to work with short wires and fail. Trust me I tried too.

4) Troubleshooting.

a)You should(if the house is not too old) have 2 gold screws and a black screw(three wires total) connected to the switch. Your tester will have a black and red lead. Start with the switch in the up position.

b)Take your black lead touch the metal box or if you have romex touch the bare wires in the box the other lead will go to the black screw on the switch. If you have 110v, move tester away so you don't get shocked and flip the switch to the down position. Test the black screw again. If the black screw is still hot this is the hot side of the three way,we are looking for the switch leg so repeat this testing at the other switch. If your balck screw loses power when you flip the switch you found the switch leg

c) Now you found the switch leg. Make sure by plugging in a lamp, if the lamp is on test the switch leg (black screw) it should have current. Flip the switch the lamp should be off. Test the screw it should have no power.

d) Turn the power off. Remove the wire from the screw and cap it. That screw is where is where you are going to connect your switch leg to your new light.

e) Disregard (e) if you have a neutral in the switch box You should also have neutral in the box. If you do not have a neutral in the box you are in luck. The wire that you just took off the switch is going to a rectacle. Take your white tape and complety cover this wire with it. Now go to the receptacle and remove it from the box. Turn the power on and test hot wires on the box. Now if the wire you took off is a different color, like red, than you know what wire you are looking for. I would like you to test anyway to be sure. One of the wires is not hot right now so that's the wire we want. Turn the power off and remove that wire and mark it with white tape. The receptacle has a white wire connected to it, I want you to connect your now new white wire to this wire so you can feed the switch box with a neutral. You need to put a new receptacle in because now half the receptacle does not work.

f) If you have a neutral in the switch box already disregard (d). Cap off the old wire you took off the screw and buy a new plug. Replace the old switched plug with the new and only connect the hot and neutral and ground, that way you don't have half a plug not working.

g) Run your 3 wires to the new light and connect the switchleg, neutral and ground.

5) Finishing. Put the plate back on. Please for me make sure your screws are all facing the same way on your plate(i know but its a pet peeve) If your box has multiple switches you may need to slide your switch left or right to get the plate on. Turn the power on because you just finished installing your first switch.

6) Check. Make sure you wired it correctly. To do this flip the switches in this order (it doesn't matter which number you assign the switches) (1 flip) (2 flip) do not flip again just because your going back to 1) 1 flip. Congrats!!

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John

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. I can not be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.