A smart switch includes electronic circuitry for remote control (beyond simple three-way switch wiring), smartphone or internet-based control, advanced timing capability or other features not found in traditional switches. Smart switches may require more (e.g., neutral) or fewer (e.g., signal 3-way with one wire instead of two) wires than traditional switches.
Questions tagged [smart-switch]
294 questions
14
votes
1 answer
How can I install this programmable switch where a neutral is not present?
I'm trying install this programmable switch but the instructions do not match reality. The instructions refer to the existence of a black (load) cable and a white (neutral) cable supposedly coming out of the wall, but instead I have two black cables…
amh
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What could be causing changes to a smart bulb to affect a regular bulb on the same circuit?
We have a Lutron Caseta dimmer switch which controls a set of four downlights.
I tried replacing the bulbs with Hue downlights (knowing full well that these wouldn't play well with the dimmer, except perhaps at maximum brightness), and observed the…
jogloran
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10
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Why are there three sets of wires for two switches, and how to wire up the neutral?
Background
I have two light switches that I am planning on replacing with smart switches.
As the diagram below shows, there are three "collections" of wires coming out of the wall, where each "collection" consists of one black wire, one ground wire…
dwally89
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9
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Can a 14 AWG pigtail be used with a smart switch with a 20 amp breaker?
There are several previous questions that have been asked on this topic but they're all related to receptacles. I'm seeing that it is against code to use 14 AWG on a 20 amp circuit but when it comes to smart switches, manufacturers don't seem to…
jpQuick
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Can a 12 gauge wire be clamped onto a light switch using the side screw?
I was simply replacing a existing dimmer switch for my kitchen lights with a newly bought Feit electric smart 3 way dimmer switch. After studying, I have located where the dimmer switch should be replaced, the load side, as written on the…
Sidney Yin
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How can I install an on/off indicator for a lighting circuit?
We installed smart lights that work with Alexa/Google Home. The problem is that when the lights are off, we don't know if they are off because the (3-way) switch is off or because we voiced them off.
I'm thinking a good solution would be to install…
Wynne
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7
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4 answers
Odd wiring setup in light switch
Hoping for some help after trying to get this setup to work. I’ve purchased a smart switch that requires two load wires, one neutral wire, and one ground wire.
When I took out my existing light switch I found it having the two load wires but also…
Anil Vaitla
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When installing a smart switch, can I pigtail off of the neutral from the existent outlet in the same box on the same circuit?
I have a box with a double receptacle and a switch where the switch powers an exterior outlet on the other side of the wall. In the photos below, the orange is the switched hot for that outlet. All receptacles I've tested in my house so far are…
Bryan
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Can I connect the neutral wire ends via a single switch terminal (without a pigtail)?
I installed a smart dimmer switch that requires a neutral wire. It was in the junction box with the two ends wire-capped together.
My switch didn't come with pigtail wires and I didn't have any extra wire lying around, so I couldn't do the…
HuntedC
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How Can I Install 3 Way Smart Switches That Require Neutral
I'm trying to replace 2 sets of three way switches with smart switches.
One end of each set requires neutral, and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a straight forward way to accomplish that with my wiring.
I've put together a diagram showing…
kfoley
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5
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Wiring Leviton Smart 3-way Switch when Load Line Goes to the Fixture
I'm converting my home to use all Leviton smart dimmers (DH6HD-1BZ) and LED lights. All has gone well so far with neutral being accessible from most switches.
However I've come across an old-school 3-way with load going to the fixture not the switch…
okin33
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5
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4 answers
Trying to install 2 smart switches but neutral wires in box are not connected
I'm trying to install 2 smart wifi switches to replace 2 dumb switches in a box. 1 switch powers a dining room light. The other switch powers two kitchen lights that turn on/off together. As expected, I found 3 wire bundles entering the box (with…
Bob Sacamano
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1 answer
Trying to install smart switches - came across something that looks wrong
I am putting in some wemo dimmers to replace my existing dimmers in a three gang box, and came across this wiring:
I marked areas of concern with red circles.
It seems that the two dimmers are grounded to each other (the boxes in the middle and…
Brian
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4
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6 answers
How can I wire one switch to control two circuits (different breakers)
Okay, so it's like this: my workshop has surface mount metal electrical boxes linked with metal conduit throughout. The switches (a single 2-gang box that housed two single pole switches side by side) that controlled the overhead lights were located…
NerdyDeeds
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So just how hard is it to pull new wiring into a typical switch loop?
I'd like to install more home automation. Unfortunately at least half my house is wired with old switch loops which have no neutral in the box. I also have ceiling fans with lights on switch-looped circuits with only one controlled hot; there are…
keshlam
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