Frozen001 Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 So I picked up two GE/Enlighten Z-wave plus switches for my basement lights which are a three way. These are "threeway compatible" ZW4008 devices. The instructions did not specifically show how to wire them, so I hooked them up list tlke the existing non-smart three way switches were wired. So obviously that is not what I shoud have done. The one at the top of the stairs I can only turn the lights off, the one at the bottom of the stairs will turn it on and off. So What is the proper way to wire these? The have 4 connections Looking at back: Upper left: Line/Load Lower Left: Line/Load Upper Right: Traveler Lower Right: Neutral. Right now I have both switches wired with all 4 connected. Thanks!
MrBill Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 There's not enough info to sort out your wiring issue, but remember that will Neutral is always White, White is not always Neutral.... that's particularly true with 3-ways... especially if they are more than a few years old. There's no wiring color standard for 3-ways, and there's about 14 different ways to wire a three way. On traditional switches the black screw is common and the other two screws (brass or silver colored) will be travelers. In most configurations the common at one of the 3-way switches will be Line, and the common at the other end will be load. That doesn't hold true tho when line goes to the fixture first. With 3-ways it's important to test and figure out which of the 14 wiring methods is in use before you take it apart. typically the clue is the black screws, one should be always hot whether the fixture is on or off, the black screw on the other switch is should be hot when the fixture is on, that's load. the other two wires are traveler... it's common for white to be a traveler and not neutral.
Frozen001 Posted April 23, 2022 Author Posted April 23, 2022 So Here is what I know of the wireing: Top of stairs: 14/2 - Power/line in (Black is line, white is neutral) 14/3 - Goes to bottom stair switch (Black was on the common, white neutral, red traveler) Bottom Stair: 14/3 - Goes to top of stairs (Black was on the common, white neutral, red traveler) 14/2 - To lights/Load At this point I have to top working only, I think I need to purchase an "Add on" Switch for the bottom/second switch. The top right now I have whites to neutral, black from 14/2 to to bottom line/load terminal, black from 14/3 to top line/load, red from 14/3 to the traveler terminal. Bottom I have whites to the neutral, blacks wire-nutted together, red to the traveler terminal of the smart switch. Top and bottom right now have these: https://www.zwaveproducts.com/collections/z-wave-in-wall-switches/products/ge-enbrighten-z-wave-plus-smart-switch-with-quickfit-simplewire-s2-and-smartstart-46201 This is showing I need the add on in the "load" location (this is also how I currently have it wired):https://byjasco.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/2038/ As a side note I cannot get the ISY to see the switch. Instructions say I just have to turn it on or off for the controller to see it but When I try to add in ISY nothing shows up.
MrBill Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 This is essentially the diagram you are describing, however your description has an error. 15 hours ago, Frozen001 said: Top of stairs: 14/2 - Power/line in (Black is line, white is neutral) 14/3 - Goes to bottom stair switch (Black was on the common, white neutral, red traveler) should read: Top of stairs: 14/2 - Power/line in (Black as line was connected to the black screw, white is neutral) 14/3 - Goes to bottom stair switch (white neutral, black and red travelers 15 hours ago, Frozen001 said: Bottom Stair: 14/3 - Goes to top of stairs (Black was on the common, white neutral, red traveler) 14/2 - To lights/Load Should read: Bottom Stair: 14/3 - Goes to top of stairs (white neutral, Black and red traveler) 14/2 - To lights/Load (black to common, white neutral). So as you have discovered, the 2nd switch needs to be the companion switch and not a second of the same model. 1
oberkc Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 I have not used a z-wave companion switch before. Insteon did not have companion switches. If I were wiring this, I would use two full-feature z-wave switches and link the two switches via zwave communication. At the top of the stairs, connect line to both the switch (line) and to the black wire of the 3-conductor (red, white, black) cable. Connect the neutral wire to the neutral connection on the switch and to the white wire of the 3-conductor cable. Cap off the red wire of the 3-conductor cable (you won't need it). At the bottom of the stairs, black is now line, and white is now neutral. Cap off the red wire. Connect black to switch line. Connect white wire to switch neutral and to load white wire. Connect load black wire to load connection on switch. In all cases and locations connect grounds (bare copper) to switches and to each other. To get your three-way to work you will now have to link the two switches. If using an ISY, create a scene and add both switches, both as controllers. Hopefully, this will work for you.
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