Our house was built by a switch happy guy, with so many multi way switches it is confusing. Can I replace a two way switch application with a single way switch in one location and an electrical outlet in the other? It would be very handy for us.

By the same token, it would be great to downgrade a 3-way to a two-way and an outlet if possible...

Thanks for any help - I haven't seen this question yet...

tj, January 2008

I dont think either john or t are being disparaging or uncivil. They are giving you good advice. As a qualified electrician i have to rectify incorrect and often dangerous diy jobs regularly. If you need to ask this question you really dont have the knowledge to do the job and should consult a qualified electrical contractor. A little knowledge can often be very dangerous.

cb, September 2008

John & T,

Thank you for your answers; our house is in the US, new construction, and the wiring is the same gauge for switches and the outlet wiring. It is heavily overbuilt, and it is not uncommon for a switch to handle six outlets here.

My intent if possible was to remove the one switch from the circuit and replace it with a single hot outlet.

You are right I do not understand the wiring of multiple switch circuits in the house, but I do this type of thing with low voltage all the time and was wondering if this is possible with house code wiring.

T: No need to be disparaging in your response, the purpose of a board - as I understand it - is to ask questions, and perhaps receive civil answers. If that is not the purpose of this board, then please let me know.

Tom, January 2008

If you are in the UK you can't because lighting circuits and power circuits are separate and different. Second even if there are multiple switches there will only be one power source to each circuit.

BTW your suggestion that you should do such a thing leads me to advise you to leave the electricity in your dwelling well alone before you have a fire or kill someone because you obviously do not understand it.

t, January 2008

TJ you are entering a minefield here....it is possible to replace your 2 way switch with a 1 way one but the other 2 way switch will still be live...you can't simply connect a socket to it as the cables aren't substantial enough to handle the higher current. Best to consult a sparky and chat about a partial rewire about this one, methinks.

John (UK), January 2008