Is It Possible To Keep A Duplex Receptacle Hot And Wire A 3-way Switch To Control A Light?

You want your duplex receptacle to be hot while you are controlling a light with a 3-way switch, however this can be quite complex and you may not be able to achieve it, but it does depend on how the 3-way circuit in your house is wired.

However the only solution to this can be if your power source for the 3-way circuit network is entering the box first. This is the only way the duplex will stay hot while you are controlling the light that is connected with a 3-way switch. If this is not the case with the power source, then the hot conductors (red and black) might be switched and they will not be able to be hot continuously as it merely depends on the way the switch in your house has been positioned.

What you should do is study the way the switch has been designed or position and if it is in a weird place. If the power source is not entering from the box, then in order for you to have your hot conductors stay hot all the time, all you can do is, get an additional receptacle from the market and add it in. this however depends on the size of the box, if it is large enough, only then it will be able to provide some space for the additional receptacle. A normal sized metal switch box has space for only five wires, adding two more wires will total it to 7.

I would suggest you to ask for professional assistance and call in an electrician who specializes in his field.

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