rossarmstrong Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 These are the old non-communicating switchlinc dimmers. I've had them in my stash and finally found a possible use for them in a 3 way light circuit that I don't need any additional control over. Question is, can it be done? My intial guess is that it is not possible because they are each designed to control the load. But my very rudimentary understanding of household wiring and multi-circuits leads me to ask the experts. Thanks for you help.
stusviews Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Which specific SwitchLinc dimmers? No Insteon device that's designed to control a load needs to have the load connected to function.
Brian H Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Your description. Sounds like the old Switchlinc X10 receive only devices. In that case they would send no power line signals to control any other devices. Model number as Stu mentioned would be needed to answer your question.
oberkc Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 A quick lookup on 2470D switchlinc suggests that this is a "non-communicating" switch. I have no idea what benefit such a switch would have over any other dimmer switch, but I assume it is NOT insteon or X-10 capable.
rossarmstrong Posted February 21, 2015 Author Posted February 21, 2015 (edited) Sorry, the device type was only in the topic subject. It is the Insteon 2470D Stand-alone Dimmer. Yes. I know this is non-communicationing. I would like to use the pair in my stash to simply turn on/off a single light in a 3 way circuit. I have no desire to send it Insteon control messages or have it in a scene. I was just wondering if there was any way I could replace the existing flip switches with these. My very basic understanding of the 3 way circuit leads me to believe that I would still need to use the traveler wire. But not knowing how the mechanical switches are built, I don't know how how to replicate its actions with the 2 stand-alone switches. I was thinking perhaps the load switch of dimmer #1 might use the traveler (red) wire to connect to the line of dimmer #2. But then dimmer #2 is essentially unpowered when dimmer #1 is off. Which might not be a big deal since it doesn't need to send/receive communications. But then how can the two work togther like a normal 3 way circuit? This is really just an academic issue now. This light circuit controls an entry light and the two switches are right across from each (almost within arms reach). It was poor design to have this light on a 3 way circuit to begin with. So unless the switch location I no longer want to use is the load (knowing my luck. . .) I'm just going to break the 3 way circuit and put a regular switchlinc in the other location to control something else. I'm still interested in knowing the official answer from someone more learned in home wiring than me. Thanks. Edited February 21, 2015 by rossarmstrong
oberkc Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 I expect (made no attempt to locate a user manual) this to be a simple on/off switch. If so, I do not expect that you could use it as part of a three-way installation. I don't know how official you need, but that is as "official" as I can be. How many wires does it have coming from the switch, and what color are they?
Brian H Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 (edited) Well I searched for the 2470D manual. Even in the discontinued manuals area. I could not find it. A few web sites showed it as discontinued and from the description. It sounds like a dimmer with no automation properties at all. I could not see any description of a trigger input for a multi-switch installation. I found the manual in my archives. It is a standalone Switchlinc with no automation features. It has ramp rate and on level features. Set with the Set Button/Air Gap switch. Edited February 21, 2015 by Brian H
Nestor Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Sorry, the device type was only in the topic subject. It is the Insteon 2470D Stand-alone Dimmer. Yes. I know this is non-communicationing. I would like to use the pair in my stash to simply turn on/off a single light in a 3 way circuit. I have no desire to send it Insteon control messages or have it in a scene. I was just wondering if there was any way I could replace the existing flip switches with these. My very basic understanding of the 3 way circuit leads me to believe that I would still need to use the traveler wire. But not knowing how the mechanical switches are built, I don't know how how to replicate its actions with the 2 stand-alone switches. I was thinking perhaps the load switch of dimmer #1 might use the traveler (red) wire to connect to the line of dimmer #2. But then dimmer #2 is essentially unpowered when dimmer #1 is off. Which might not be a big deal since it doesn't need to send/receive communications. But then how can the two work togther like a normal 3 way circuit? This is really just an academic issue now. This light circuit controls an entry light and the two switches are right across from each (almost within arms reach). It was poor design to have this light on a 3 way circuit to begin with. So unless the switch location I no longer want to use is the load (knowing my luck. . .) I'm just going to break the 3 way circuit and put a regular switchlinc in the other location to control something else. I'm still interested in knowing the official answer from someone more learned in home wiring than me. Thanks. Setting aside their internals for a moment, the switches would have to be wired in parallel to even have a chance of working. The real problem lies with the internals. When one dimmer is switched on, the load wire on the other dimmer would see 120vac. You'd probably pop the breaker and very likely toast one or both dimmers. I don't think it's workable. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
stusviews Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 The 2470D is not an Insteon device. It's not even a Smarthome product. The 2470D is a Smart Home switch. That's an entirely different brand.
Brian H Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 The users manual must have a misprint in it. Page 4 actually says it has a unique Insteon ID number.
stusviews Posted February 21, 2015 Posted February 21, 2015 Aha, I remember that switch. It's a non-Insteon, non-X10 dimmer designed to match the decor of an Insteon SwitchLinc without the electronics, hence a lower cost. It was discontinued a few years ago. The switch itself does not have an Insteon ID.
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