In my room, I only have 2 wires (black and white), no neutral (red). Does it mean I can't use this SwitchLinc Switch? Is there any easy way to get around it?

Other than this one, does any other switch will work similar but only required two wires? I want to have the capability of SOFT BRIGHT/DIM, PRESET DIM LEVELS and not scene controls.

Thanks

Simon

Simon,

I'm not familiar with SwitchLinc switches, but how many wires come out the back and what colors are they? Are they 2-way or 3-way switches?

According to your message, you said you have only a black and a white wire?

For a typical 2-way light switch, there should be a minimum of 2 black wires from the box to the switch. There will be third black wire if the wall switch is in the middle of a circuit and the current is "piggy-backed" onto the next switch/outlet to supply power to it. Neutral (white) should bypass the switch and go straight to the light.

Red wires are typically seen either in 220V wiring or a 3-way switch.

Kinda confusing... :P

Roland

Roland,

Oh no, I must be working too hard on the Commander-X program. First thing, I didn't realize this SwitchLinc switch is TWO-WAY!!!! I can't believe how I thought it was a ONE WAY SWITCH.

The switch on the wall comes only 2 wires (black and white). I'm 100% sure about it since I just installed the cheapo X10 dimmer not too long ago.

Any "ONE" way switch that will do soft dim/bright and scenes?

P.S. I'm no electrician so.... he he

Thanks

Simon

You will need to hook the Black wire to the Line in which should be the Black. The white wire will hook into the white wires. The whites are probably hooked together with a wire nut. Just add the Switchlinc’s white wire to them. The Yellow wire is the input for slave switches. If not using, cap it with a wire nut. Now comes the ground, if your switches do not have a ground, look into the back box and see if there are a few bare copper wires. These are the grounds and you will need to hook up the Switchlinc’s bare wire to them. If your house doesn’t have a ground wire, try it without if but you may need a ground. Some of the nicer dimmers like Switchlinc require a ground where as the cheaper ones work fine with out.

Chris Couture

Chris,

So the SwitchLinc has the capability of "2-WAY", but I can use it as a stand-alone switch. I found out I do have the ground bare copper wire in the switch box other than the black and white wires.

It looks like the installation is straight forward - black to black, white to white. I just wasn't sure and get stuck with that "RED" wire diagram!!!

Thanks

Other than SMARTHOME, where else can I purchase one of these?

Simon

The "RED" goes to the LOAD or the LIGHT. I sell them for $80.00 and ship UPS and FedEx. Also look at: www.smarthomeinc.com (note the INC).

Chris Couture

Hi -- all SwitchLinc switches can be used as a two way (one switch contols one load) or three way (like two switches - one at at either end of a hallway), or even four way and more ways..

Except they can't be used for three and more ways yet as they still are not shipping the 1135 slave remote switch - argh! -- not shipping the 1000 watt 1182 switch yet either.

All of these switches need a nuetral wire connection - well, the slave does not if you are wlling to forgo the LED operating - acamdemic at the moment.

Btw, all electricial boxes should be grounded - done through the tube on non-romex installations.

If the 1181 switches are still in short supply, I expect that Smarthome can give the fastest delivery -- Worthington probably has the best prices (but no stock last I heard) and if Robert sells them, you will probably get the best support from him even though he does prefer PCS switchs (Hi Robert:)) - btw, the PCS switches are very nice but I opted for the SmartLincs - had one bad one out of ten.

Cheers, Jim

I bought some batteries, but they weren't included. So I had to buy them again

"I bought some batteries, but they weren't included. So I had to buy them again"

Me too! Opps!

I have some of the 1135 slave switches and they are real nice just to let y’all know (it was a mis ship). Just got done installing a few Smartlinc Switchlincs before I sat down here. MAN are they nice switches!
Anyway, if you don't have a neutral, you can CHEAT and use your ground. While not to code(what is in us X-10ers homes), it will work fine since neutral and ground SHOULD have the same potential.

Chris Couture

Also, I think he means, Transmit and Receive when he says 2-way. The answay is yes, the Smartlinc switches will transmit there status over the PLC. This is nice if you want to use them to trigger scenes.

Chris

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses, but I'm sorry I'm still kinda confusing. Is neutral same as ground (bare copper wire)? What I can find in the switch box is ONE WHITE, ONE BLACK, and ONE BARE COPPER WIRE. Will this setup work for the SwitchLinc? I'm really itchy of getting one but I need to get this sorted out.

P.S. I should change my subject and study micro electronic :)

Thanks again.

Simon

If you have a White and a Black, your set. Sometimes the White wire is not in some homes and the bare copper wire ca be used as the neutral.

Chris Couture