# Electrical Outlet/Switch Wiring Q **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 27, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-outlet-switch-wiring-q/664652 "2013-07-27T05:46:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-outlet-switch-wiring-q/664652/1 "2013-07-27T05:46:27Z")
I’m having some issues with an outlet/switch wiring, I hope someone here can point me in the right direction. There are two switches, both switching a single light. My hope was to simply swap one of the outlets with a single outlet and a switch. If it’s easier, I’d be fine with making it two outlets on one box and a single switch on the other instead. Unfortunately, one of my interns - told to simply kill the breaker and pull the plate - took the ‘initiative’ to also undo the leads before I could see their positioning on the switch terminals or take pics. So I have a green (earth ground, I assume), a black, and two red. One of the reds is actually a white wire that was wrapped in red electrical tape. I assume one is a traveler? I checked for voltage between leads, getting about 105VAC between the black/red I assume the 105 is because of something else loaded on the circuit? What should I be looking for? Everything I read talks about white, black and green. I’m pretty comfortable with electronics and DC circuits, but I am totally out of my element with house wiring. Just never dealt with it. This seems like it should be a simple task but I’m hitting a wall. I can’t visualize how the two outlets (again, originally with a switch each and no outlet) should share the circuit for a switch plus outlet. Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-outlet-switch-wiring-q/664652/2 "2013-07-27T06:54:05Z")
Here’s a [link](http://www.judiwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Improved-3-Way-Switch-Wiring.GIF) to a wiring diagram for a 2 switch/1 light circuit. You’ll need 3-Way-Switches. Most home circuitry is 2 conductor + gnd. For this, some 3 conductor + gnd wiring is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-outlet-switch-wiring-q/664652/3 "2013-07-27T11:45:04Z")
> [@picker](#): > > Unfortunately, one of my interns - told to simply kill the breaker and pull the plate - took the ‘initiative’ to also undo the leads before I could see their positioning on the switch terminals or take pics. > > So I have a green (earth ground, I assume), a black, and two red. One of the reds is actually a white wire that was wrapped in red electrical tape. I assume one is a traveler? > > I checked for voltage between leads, getting about 105VAC between the black/red I assume the 105 is because of something else loaded on the circuit? Check voltage between the green/ground wire and the others as well. If the other switch is still connected, check voltages with the switch in each position. There are [multiple ways](http://www.homeimprovementweb.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm) a pair of three-way switches and a single light can be wired. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-outlet-switch-wiring-q/664652/4 "2013-07-27T13:53:37Z")
if you have a black and two red (one a relabeled white) then this would be one way to wire a three-way switch. if that is so then you have no neutral (white) there to put a receptacle (outlet). you could put a switch there or wire it always on (use the other switch for operation) and cover with a solid cover plate. you could maybe put a receptacle (outlet) at the other switch position if there is a neutral (white) in that box. you should have a switch at each entrance to a room/hallway. maybe you need two switches. give more detail.