VentureRider Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Good morning - need a little guidance from the experts! I want to add the micro dimmer to a circuit that has two switches (one in the foyer and one in the garage) that control some garage carriage lights. The pic below should the switch in the garage (this box is where I'd like to install the dimmer module - more space in the box). What would be the correct way to wire in the micro dimmer module? What confuses me is the lack of a neutral (white) wire. Thanks for any/all assistance.
hart2hart Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Good morning - need a little guidance from the experts! I want to add the micro dimmer to a circuit that has two switches (one in the foyer and one in the garage) that control some garage carriage lights. The pic below should the switch in the garage (this box is where I'd like to install the dimmer module - more space in the box). What would be the correct way to wire in the micro dimmer module? What confuses me is the lack of a neutral (white) wire. Thanks for any/all assistance.There are multiple ways to wire a 3 way circuit. o power enters one of switcheso power enters at light fixtureWhat does other switch location look like?Is your goal to use micro module with existing manual switches or to replaces switches with Insteon dimmers?
VentureRider Posted March 21, 2021 Author Posted March 21, 2021 I'd like to use the micro dimmer in conjunction with the two existing switches.
tmorse305 Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 (edited) Is there a neutral wire in either box? It's required for the module. If not you'll have to mount the module in the box where the light is connected and the neutral is available. Edited March 21, 2021 by tmorse305
hart2hart Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 I'd like to use the micro dimmer in conjunction with the two existing switches.What does other switch look like. How is is it wired?
hart2hart Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 pic is attached to original post.Thought you said there were two switches. Only one photo or do they look the same?The difference is where power enters circuit at one of switch locations or at the fixture. You have to account for sense wires to use the existing switches.
tmorse305 Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Assuming there are no neutral wires in the switch boxes this would be the way to wire it. 2
carealtor Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Posts like this always make me nervous. I know we all have to learn somehow, but this is one of those things that, if you have to ask the question, you shouldn't be doing this yourself. Just my 2 cents. 4 1
oberkc Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 (edited) While tmorse305' diagram looks correct to me, it assume that you have unstitched power at the fixture box, which may (or may not) be true in your case. You must identify where there is access to hot and neutral, and this can be done by evaluating how the two switches are wired. Unfortunately, the clues are not all contained in your single picture. In each switch box, one would have to note: - conductors and colors connected to each switch - how many cables (bundles of conductors) enter each switch box and colors and routing of the conductors within each switch box. For example, the three conductors (two black, one red) connected to your pictured switch...do they come from a single cable or from more than one cable? What about the other switch location? Are there conductors in the switch box not connected to the switch? Edited March 21, 2021 by oberkc
VentureRider Posted March 21, 2021 Author Posted March 21, 2021 Here is the other switch that controls the garage carriage lights. I've already installed two micro dimmers in this box...getting really crowded in there! That's why I'd like to install the micro dimmer out in the garage work box. I've attach BOTH switch pics to this reply.
VentureRider Posted March 21, 2021 Author Posted March 21, 2021 9 minutes ago, carealtor said: Posts like this always make me nervous. I know we all have to learn somehow, but this is one of those things that, if you have to ask the question, you shouldn't be doing this yourself. Just my 2 cents. Yeah....but an electrician would look at this micro dimmer and say "what is that device...."... 1
oberkc Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 1 minute ago, VentureRider said: Yeah....but an electrician would look at this micro dimmer and say "what is that device...."... Then...you would need to find an electrician who knows how to read directions. OK...so you have previously installed a micro module in one of the switch locations. This suggests that there is a neutral available at that location, which suggests that this location is where the hot and neutral are introduced into the circuit. That suggests to me that you will not be able to install a micro module at the fixture box, or at the garage switch box. Still, it would be nice to know how many cables are coming into each of the two switch boxes and how they are currently wired to the existing switches. 1
hart2hart Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 Then...you would need to find an electrician who knows how to read directions. OK...so you have previously installed a micro module in one of the switch locations. This suggests that there is a neutral available at that location, which suggests that this location is where the hot and neutral are introduced into the circuit. That suggests to me that you will not be able to install a micro module at the fixture box, or at the garage switch box. Still, it would be nice to know how many cables are coming into each of the two switch boxes and how they are currently wired to the existing switches.From what you’ve told us, I agree that it sounds like the hot and neutral come into that switch box you most recently posted and it has the wires that run to the fixture. You might can replace that box with an extra deep box or consider a dual gang box and cover second half via front plate with one side covered.
Teken Posted March 21, 2021 Posted March 21, 2021 5 hours ago, oberkc said: Then...you would need to find an electrician who knows how to read directions. ?
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