12/23/2023 0 Comments 3 way smart switchIt won’t apply directly to networked switches, but you will learn how to use the mapping tools and work safely with switches. If someone opens up a switch box and sees 4 black wires or 2 white wires or whatever and doesn’t know how to map the circuits but wants to learn, many Home Depots offer free classes in how to wire a light switch. The only thing I would add is that because in the US most wire colors are not mandated by code, people can and do use any color, particularly if it’s the end of the day and there’s just one roll of wire left in the toolbox. You should only need to change the wiring in each switch box (light box(es) do not need to be touched). Having multiple lights wired in parallel will not change your wiring. If your wiring is like either diagram below, you can wire your smart switch in either of your two switch boxes. It’s not as expensive as you think and will save you… This is not good for automated hardwired light switchs and i would HIGHLY recommend that if you want to automate the light, contact an electrician and have them pull a neutral for you. This is a diagram of a switch with the neutral run directly to the light. For those of us using LED, Fluorescent or some other energy efficient bulbs under 20w a neutral is REQUIRED! Yes, there are a few…(read very, very, very few) switches that don’t require a neutral, but those will limit you to incandescent only. The most common requirement of any hardwired automated light switch is a neutral wire. So you want an automated hardwired light switch, but you’re not sure where to start. There is also a helpful thread about switches and wiring in general:Īutomated Switches: What should my wiring look like? (US Version) FAQ This FAQ is for standard models needing neutrals. It will not work with LEDs and is only designed for incandescent loads. NOTE: There is now a Z-Wave plus GE Dimmer (model 14299) that does not need neutrals. If you don’t feel comfortable with any of this - hire a professional.Existing wiring configurations can come in all shape and sizes - Usage of colors may not be standard.Purchase a multi-meter or power wand to help determine which wires are line, load, traveler and neutral.The community is a great place to ask questions or advice.Those pictures are a good reference point and can assist those giving advice in the community. Take pictures of the existing wiring before starting.You may end up with a current where it does not belong and it is against code. Please do not use ground as a neutral.ALWAYS power off your circuit breaker before working with electricity.There are other smart options available listed below. If the line is wired into the light fixture, you will not be able to use GE Smart Switches in a 3-way configuration without running additional wires.You cannot use dumb 3-way switches with most smart switches (You must purchase the matching GE add-on switch to wire with your GE smart master switch).3-way wiring for smart switches is different than standard 3 way wiring.In a smart switch 3-way configuration, a smaller charge is looped through the add-on switch. Traveler: In existing 3-way wiring, this wire toggles hot between two switches. Load: The wire that will be hot when the circuit is completed to your light (usually black) Neutral: The return wire for circuits (usually white) Line: The hot wire from the breaker (usually black) I’ve decided to put this FAQ together to help those with questions about installing GE 3-way switches.
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