Installing a wifi light switch
#1
12-15-17, 02:46 PM
Installing a wifi light switch
Trying to install a Wemo switch but I don’t understand the existing wiring. See pic. The ground and neutral wires are twisted together. On top of this there is a forth brown wire coming directly from the old switch that is twisted with them as well. Anybody knows what’s the purpose of this forth wire and is this wiring compatible with a smart switch?
Thanks,
Adrian.
Thanks,
Adrian.
Last edited by PJmax; 12-15-17 at 02:59 PM. Reason: reoriented/cropped/enhanced picture
#2
12-15-17, 03:00 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
No problem.
Remove the brown and black wires and twist them together. This is the HOT to your wemo. The white splice is the NEUTRAL to your wemo. The red wire is the LOAD/LIGHT to your wemo. The bare ground goes to the ground of the wemo.
No problem.
Remove the brown and black wires and twist them together. This is the HOT to your wemo. The white splice is the NEUTRAL to your wemo. The red wire is the LOAD/LIGHT to your wemo. The bare ground goes to the ground of the wemo.
#3
12-15-17, 03:14 PM
Group Moderator
In further checking...... the black/brown wires and the red wire can go to either black switch lead.
#5
12-15-17, 04:31 PM
Group Moderator
Sorry.... I don't see that in the picture. Am I missing something ??
Maybe a second picture with the wiring pulled out a little.
Hard to believe a ground can be connected to a hot wire and work.
Maybe a second picture with the wiring pulled out a little.
Hard to believe a ground can be connected to a hot wire and work.
#7
12-15-17, 04:57 PM
Group Moderator
Yes.... there are two ways to connect that switch. Push-in connections on the back or the screw terminals on the side. Rather than splicing black and brown together and adding a single jumper to the switch. Some one connected one hot wire to the screw terminal...... black and just stuck the brown in the push-in. Black and brown are now connected together internally inside the switch.
After all the wires are off the switch except for the brown...... hold the brown wire wire in one hand and the switch in the other hand. Gently turn the switch and pull the brown wire out.
After all the wires are off the switch except for the brown...... hold the brown wire wire in one hand and the switch in the other hand. Gently turn the switch and pull the brown wire out.
#10
12-15-17, 05:51 PM
Group Moderator
Neutral is white. I see no white in that picture.
The bare wire connected to the ground screw is the bare copper ground.
The black is on the screw terminal and brown is pushed into the connection that is the same as the black screw.
In the U.S. brown is a hot wire. Only white and gray can be neutral.
The bare wire connected to the ground screw is the bare copper ground.
The black is on the screw terminal and brown is pushed into the connection that is the same as the black screw.
In the U.S. brown is a hot wire. Only white and gray can be neutral.
#12
12-15-17, 05:55 PM
Group Moderator
You're serious.... right ?
You're not pulling my leg ?
Yes.... in the first picture I see two white wires connected together to each other.
You're not pulling my leg ?
Yes.... in the first picture I see two white wires connected together to each other.
#15
12-15-17, 08:40 PM
Group Moderator
Ok. I see your diagram. That is exactly what I see. That is also 100% correct.
Now... Please explain in detail where you see neutral, brown and ground connected.
It's not shown on your diagram.
Now... Please explain in detail where you see neutral, brown and ground connected.
It's not shown on your diagram.
#17
12-15-17, 09:47 PM
Group Moderator
