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roguehippie · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: USA

Hi,

My family room currently has no permanent lighting fixtures, and we’d like to install recessed lighting to brighten things up. Currently, we have only seven outlets which are split so that the bottom outlets (duplex) are all controlled by two three-way switches. The top outlets are always live. We plug lamps into the bottom outlets so that we can flip on the lights, when entering the room, with the switches.

I'd like to install ten recessed lighting cans, using the three-way switches that currently control the outlets, to control the recessed lighting instead.

Can I possibly remove the switch from the "outlet circuit" and run a new feed (with a new breaker installed in the main service panel, new wire, etc.) to the existing three way switches and then up to the recessed lighting cans?

If so, can I use the existing outlet wiring, removed from the switches, and just "directly" wire it all together so that the outlets work? What I mean is, can I remove the feed from the COM on switch 1, connect it to one of the traveler wires on the same switch, and then take that traveler wire on switch 2 and connect it to the COM wire that runs to the outlets, thus removing the two switches and directly wiring the outlets to be always on all of the time?

Does any of that yank-gibberish make any sense?

Thanks in advance!

b · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

disconnect the switch leg from the one 3 way switch that currently feeds the bottoms of the plugs and wire nut off. Pig tail the hot wire of the receptacle to both hot screws on the plug. You should run a new circuit for the new lighting circuit as you suggested you were planning to do. disconnect the switches from the existing circuit so you can use them for your new lighting and hook it up to the new feed wires. if you are unsure about it hire a licensed reputable contractor to do the work.
B