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Need a little help with a light switch
Installing my first zwave light switch and can't get the light to turn on, not sure what I'm doing wrong. Pics are posted below of wiring, old switch and new. How should I wire this thing up. It's a definite possibility the switch is bad but I want to hear at you guys would do.
I should also note that the two lower wires on at the bottom were originally 1, I snipped it to make installation easier.
What is the bottom wire pig tailed with?
"There are no finger prints under water."
Is there a neutral line in the box? That switch requires one.
Everything is black, I don't have a meter. I basically have two wires to work with, the lower 2(was 1 until a minute ago) and the other coming in up top.Originally Posted by newracer
The lower 2 tie into the switch next to it on the bottom screw.
Nevermind, somebody else already got it. I have nothing useful to contribute..
Last edited by HoneyBadger; 02-22-2015 at 16:41.
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2 black wires. I know very little about house wiring. This is the switch for my two front lights, I assuming it's either power in or out to them, splitting in that pigtail.
The lower two are likely the power in (line) and the other power out (load) to the light. It looks like there might be a bunch of neutrals (white wires) all twisted together in the back of the box. If so you need to connect to those. The switch won't work without it.
Makes sense, so what is the top wire connecting to on the switch?
Sometimes on older switches, there is only a hot wire. The hot wire is cut, and each end is plugged into the switch. Then the switch connects the wire (on) or breaks the connection (off). I think you really need a meter at this point to figure out what is going on. You can get a cheap one for like $10 at an auto parts store, or even Walmart.
"There are no finger prints under water."
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