I want to use X-10 decorator dimmer switches to control the lights and a fan in my den. The lights (switched wall outlets) and the fan have switches at either entrance to the den (3-way?).

Here's what the wiring is like:

Light switches-

Black- Common (also connected across to fan switch)

Red

White
__________________________________________________

Fan Switches-

Black- Common (also connected to light switch)


Would I use the X-10 decorator dimmer switches (WS12A) in one gang box and decorator companion switches (WS14A) in the other? How would I need to hook them up (color wise)?

Thank you...

Sorry, I forgot to finish how the fan switches are wired:

Black- Common (also connected to light switch)

Red

White

Thanks again for ANY help!

Andy,
Check this site out and if you still have questions, let us know. This should answer any you have.
Chris Couture

[Link: hometoys.com]

Mr. Couture,

I was even more confused after trying to read that web site, sorry. Thanks though. I really would appreciate your help if you can. I'm not sure what my set up would be. Can you assist?

Andy,

---Wall Switch---
Regarding the wall switch, it is just a 2-way (1 switch to control a set of lights)?

I'm somewhat surprised to see a white wire attached to the switch, since the wire usually bypasses the switch and goes directly to the light.

Is the red attached to the switch too? You typically see that only with 3-way switches. Unless they prewired it in the event that you may want to change it to a 3-way in the future.

Most often, there are two black wires running from a 2-way switch (3 blacks if the switch is in a middle of a circuit and is providing current to another switch). One is the live side, and the other goes to the light. A third black may be also attached on the live side terminal to supply current to the fan.

With the X-10 wall switch, you would take the black wire and wing nut it together with the live wire AND the third "bypass" current wire. Then take the other X-10 wire and wingnut it to the wire that goes to the light.

---Fan Switch---
The typical X-10 Rocker Style switch may not work with a fan. They do sell low voltage Rocker Style switches for ceiling fans. They are a bit more expensive and I'm not sure if it's 3-way compatible. But they are "dimmable" (i.e. speed controllable).

I saw this item in a Home Controls catalog. They have a website http://www.homecontrols.com but I didn't see it on their website. You could always call them up.

Roland

Roland,

There are two switches for the lights (outlets) & two switches for the fan. One set (light & fan) is located at the entrance to the den from the foyer and the other one is located at the entrance to the den from the dining room. I guess it is three way, since I can turn on/off the lights and the fan from either location.

I'm not sure how to hook them up though. The black, red & white wires are all connected to the switches. The black wire is connected from the light switch to the fan switch and it says "load".

I sure appreciate your help!

If need be, I'll open both of the wall plates again and check whatever you want me to, just let me know!

Thank you Roland!

Andy

Andy,
Do you have 3 terminals on both switches (both locations) or does 1 set of the switches have 4?

Chris

Stupid me. I meant "wirenut", not "wingnut". I'm sure you knew what I meant.

:P

I have 3 wires going to each switch. (RED, WHITE & BLACK)

Here's the set-up:

Set A (in entrance foyer)

Light Switch-

RED

WHITE

BLACK- to common & bridged across to fan switch

Fan Switch-

RED

WHITE

BLACK- also to common AND bridged across to light switch

__________________________________________________

Set B (dining room to den entrance)

Light Switch-

RED

WHITE

BLACK

ALL connected separately (switch has a separate set of wires going to it, not bridged like set A)

Fan Switch-

RED

WHITE

BLACK

ALL connected separately (switch has a separate set of wires going to it, not bridged like set A

__________________________________________________

Hope this is a good enough description for you to help me!

Please help me figure out:

What switches I need ie. 2 decorator dimmer switches (WS12A) & 2 companion switches (WS14A)?

Location in which I should mount them.

How to wire them... Color-wise

Thank You SO very much!!!!!!

Andy

Andy,
Not trying to be rude but all the information you should need can be found at this site. If you can't understand it from there, please consider hiring a professional. Here is the site I listed earlier.
[Link: hometoys.com]

Your setup sounds like a normal 3-way setup. You just have 2 in the same box. The jumper has no effect on the operation of the circuit; it is just supplying voltage to both switches.

The switches you listed should work fine although you would not want to dim (speed control) the fan motor with this type of switch. If you wanted to use a dimmer (speed control) switch, you would need one for inductive loads (low voltage lighting or motors). X-10.com doesn't sell this kind to my knowledge so you may want to check with www.smarthome.com or www.smarthomeinc.com.

Sorry that I can't offer any more info!

Chris Couture