Using an Insteon switch to turn on the pool light.

[leonpc]

I have a little question as i want to check my knowledge and understanding.  I just bought another house and noticed the pool light does not work.  The previous owner was kind enough to spend an hour or two with me to explain oddities of the house and the pool light and garden lights came up.  For the pool light I was told "It has not worked in the 10 years we stayed here... The previous owner told me it works with a remote control in the house but I have never seen a remote control at all"  I had noticed a few older X10 light controllers  around the yard and smiled and said the pool light is not an issue I will look into it.  The previous owner then proceeded to tell me that they have replaced the pool light twice and had pool services and electricians looking into it and nobody could get it to work.

After he left I switched off the electricity to the pool at the main breaker box and cracked opened the Intermatic pool breaker box.  As I suspected there was a X10 light switch connected to the Pool light breaker.  It looked old and very dirty.  I removed the x10 switch and since i only had a normal old light switch on hand, I replaced it with the switch.  The light worked!

The light switch is wired in the load side of the pool light and is connected to a GFCI between the breaker and the light switch.  I decided to replace the light switch with an Insteon switch which requires the neutral wire so that I can control the light and add a light switch in a more convenient spot.  I now have the GFCI tripping since I have installed the Insteon switch.  I am wondering if an Insteon switch can be used downstream from a GFCI?

I have put the old switch back and it works fine but as soon as I change to the Insteon switch it trips the GFCI.

Thanks for the help.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by leonpc
Fix syntax

[jec6613]

Sure, I use them all of the time behind a GFCI and AFCI equipment.  The return path for current is via the neutral, unless there's leakage to ground, you're fine.

That said, I have seen a few GFCI/AFCI combo devices, the stand-alone sort, give me trouble.  Never a GFCI alone, or a circuit breaker integrated GFCI/AFCI.

[leonpc]

Thanks. I was just checking my sanity

 

 

[Teken]

I have a little question as i want to check my knowledge and understanding.  I just bought another house and noticed the pool light does not work.  The previous owner was kind enough to spend an hour or two with me to explain oddities of the house and the pool light and garden lights came up.  For the pool light I was told "It has not worked in the 10 years we stayed here... The previous owner told me it works with a remote control in the house but I have never seen a remote control at all"  I had noticed a few older X10 light controllers  around the yard and smiled and said the pool light is not an issue I will look into it.  The previous owner then proceeded to tell me that they have replaced the pool light twice and had pool services and electricians looking into it and nobody could get it to work.
After he left I switched off the electricity to the pool at the main breaker box and cracked opened the Intermatic pool breaker box.  As I suspected there was a X10 light switch connected to the Pool light breaker.  It looked old and very dirty.  I removed the x10 switch and since i only had a normal old light switch on hand, I replaced it with the switch.  The light worked!
The light switch is wired in the load side of the pool light and is connected to a GFCI between the breaker and the light switch.  I decided to replace the light switch with an Insteon switch which requires the neutral wire so that I can control the light and add a light switch in a more convenient spot.  I now have the GFCI tripping since I have installed the Insteon switch.  I am wondering if an Insteon switch can be used downstream from a GFCI?
I have put the old switch back and it works fine but as soon as I change to the Insteon switch it trips the GFCI.
Thanks for the help.
 
 

If we assume the GFCI is from the same period say 80-90’s era as the X10 switch. Replacing the GFCI breaker with a newer one will save you time and hair on your head.


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[tazman]

The neutral for the switch has to come from the load side of the GFCI or it will trip the GFCI as you described.