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]
383 questions
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votes
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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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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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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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Why does a Smart Switch on/off have lower wattage for LEDs vs incandescent
Why do smart switches have 2 different wattages based on LED and Incandescent bulbs?
I have found information regarding Dimmable light switches which makes sense because of the dimmer control can cause harmonics and distortion that occur in the LED…
Don
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3 answers
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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Finding neutral wire in wall boxes
I'm trying to replace four switches in a 4-gang box. All four are on different circuits.
From left to right:
This is a 3 way switch and I want to replace it with another 3-way switch. I think I know how to do this one.
This is a 3 way switch which…
gtback
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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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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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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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6
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1 answer
How do I install a smart switch with this wiring I don't understand?
I have lots of experience with wiring switches and lights/fans, when the existing wiring it's the standard hot, neutral, ground to the device and 2x neutral(tied together), 2x hot(line and load), and grounds(all tied together).
I am completely…
Spencer Tharp
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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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Can I wire a smart switch with a neutral and no load?
I have a wall switch that currently controls a wall outlet. I don't have or want a light plugged into that outlet. I'm comfortable reconfiguring the circuit so that the outlet is powered directly and the switch is out of the picture -- both ends of…
qmega
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5
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How to turn on another lamp across room with lightswitch that only controls a one outlet?
In my office I have a light switch that only controls the bottom plug on one outlet. I have a lamp plugged into it, but I'd like to be able to have another lamp plugged into it also.
Right now that only way I can see doing this is to have a long…
Chris Barr
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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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