switched outlets

[Noobis]

does any one have a wiring diagram for two duplex recepticles that have constant power to the bottom plug with the top pulg switched? The switched plugs are via a three way switch.

For the layout there are 2 boxes on either side of the bed,
the box on the right has a 2 wire power in and a 3 wire out to the box on the left side of the bed.
From the left box there is a 2 wire out to the switch on the same wall.
From there another 3 wire to the other switch box at the entrance to the bedroom

(power to the first box is from a 3 wire that goes to the panel and the red wire feeds power to the first outlet box on the righ side of the bed. mentioning this as for some reason the neutral connections are confusing me. i think at one point one of the white wires were re-identified and used as a hot lead but i coul dbe wrong. i keep thinking that i am tiying the neutral in a loop).

Thanks!

 

[bigb56]

First you said power was brought into the box on the right with a 2 wire (assuming you mean 2 wire with ground) but then later you said "power to the first box is from a 3 wire that goes to the panel and the red wire feeds power to the first outlet box on the righ side of the bed" so this is contradictory. Is there a multi-wire branch circuit bringing power in ( a 3 wire w/ground, 2 hots and a neutral) with the other circuit heading off somewhere else?

3 way and 4 ways setups are one of my specialties but I need accurate info in order to help you. A drawing might help.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[bigb56]

My gut feeling is that this is what you have.

Box on right of bed has a 3 wire power in (MWBC) using red for bedroom power and a 3 wire cable out to the first recep:
Connect red power to the black in the 3 wire cable that goes to the other box together with a pigtail to the bottom of the recep, connect line neutral and the other white or whites together with pigtail to recep neutral. (Before you mess with those neutrals make sure both circuits are shut off). Finally, connect the red from the 3 wire that goes to the next box to the top receptacle. Now you are finished dealing with the MWBC box and moving on everything is just a single circuit.

Box on left which has a 3 wire in and a 2 wire out:
Connect black from 3 wire cable to white of 2 wire switch loop (mark the white with black tape or Sharpie) and add a pigtail connected to the bottom of recep. Connect white from the 3 wire to recep N. Connect the black from the switch loop to the red wire with a pigtail connected to the top of the recep.

Switch box by bed which has a 2 wire in and a 3 wire out:
Connect the white from the switch loop that you marked with tape/Sharpie to the white wire in the 3 wire cable with a wire nut. Be sure to color this one black as well. Connect the black from the switch loop to the common on the 3 way switch. Connect the black and red wires in the 3 wire cable to the 3 way traveller screws in any order.

Switch box by door:
Connect the white from the 3 wire to the common screw, be sure to mark it black. Connect the black and red to the traveller terminals in any order.


(edited to correct MWBC info at first box).

 

[Afjes]

NooBis
The wiring diagram that bigb56 gave you is very helpful.
Just be sure you watch carefully for your "common" screws on the two 3 way switches. One common has the power coming in to it and the other common will go out to the load (which in this case is the receptacle part that is switched).

What is the issue with this setup that you are having? Did you have to replace a receptacle or a switch?
I assume this was working to start with.

Also be aware that the receptacles since a portion is switched that the hot side of the receptacle the "tab" should be broken off. This allows the top and bottom portions of the receptacle to work independent of each other (switching).

Also, in older homes if circuits do not have grounds home owners install GFCI receptacles for safety (which meet NEC requirements) for 3 prong receptacles from 2 prong usually. You can not wire a GFCI receptacle as a switched receptacle being one portion is constant hot while the other portion is switched. GFCI don't have this ability. I only say this in case you do have a GFCI in the mix.

 

[bigb56]

So how did it turn out?