I need to add electric plug on the wall,next to a switch i need the power from the swich, but the swich is com

Question

I need to add electric plug on the wall,next to a switch, i need the power from the swich, but the swich is complecated and is part of a second swich that turn the light from different spots in the house, how to do it?I tried but the plug is on & off with the light on & off.F B

Answer 1

if this is a 3-way switch (meaning you have two switches in different locations that control the same light) you may not be able to do it depending on if this is the controlling switch. one switch will recieve the feed (supply of electricity) while the other one will have two hoppers between the the other switch. if that's the case, then you don't have a constant feed at that switch and the receptacle will always behave funny based on which switch is on/off and if the hopper you tied into is hot at the time. the best way to tell is to get a tester (about $10) and test the wires in your switch in various stages of on/off to try to find if you have a continuous feed inside that box. if you can isolate one as continuous, then use that one to feed your receptacle.

Answer 2

'Handygirl` is right.
The short & simple answer is for a receptacle, you need both a power, and a neutral line and these are probably not available at the type of switch you have.