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On/off switch no neutral


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Posted

The reason you can only find dimmers is that the way two wire smart switches work is to "leak" current thru the bulb to complete the circuit required for communication.   In the case of an ON/OFF switch it's not acceptable to leak current to thru the load to complete the circuit... OFF must be OFF, no trickle current. 

Posted
59 minutes ago, MrBill said:

The reason you can only find dimmers is that the way two wire smart switches work is to "leak" current thru the bulb to complete the circuit required for communication.   In the case of an ON/OFF switch it's not acceptable to leak current to thru the load to complete the circuit... OFF must be OFF, no trickle current. 

Exactly this.  For something to go hard-off, it must have either: 1) A return path for current via a neutral wire, or 2) be powered by an external power source (this is how Z-Wave valve closers work).

Posted

Thanks….  I have one room that has the top side of the plugs controlled by the switch, so when it was wired they used 14/2 to the switch so no real neutral unless I cheat and use the safety ground as the neutral.

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