Thats why smart switches generally require a neutral so it can realize 120v potential between line and neutral to power itself. I have a light switch that controls a single outlet.
Kasa 3 Way Smart Switch Kit By Tp Link Wifi Light Switch Works With Alexa And Google Home Neutral Wire Required No Hub Required Ul Certified
Smart switch no load wire. Smart switches require a source of power because they are always communicating with a hub. In the box for the light switch there is only a line hot neutral and ground wire. In this case there is a minimum of two pairs or wires in the switch box. C by ge hubless three wire smart switch push button with dimmer and motion sensor q2 2020 60 c by ge wire free remote dimmer q1 2020 23 c by ge wire free remote dimmer with color. Strictly speaking no there is no way to wire a smart switch without a load because the smart switch itself is a load. The bridge is needed because the programming of your login and wireless network details are stored within the hub rather than on a micro controller inside the smart switch.
The modern way to wire homes and the only way to meet ca code today is to run the power to the switch box and the load to the switch box as well. The third wire should be the ground wire and is usually colored green or bare wire. Interchanging the line and load wires on a conventional outlet has no effect on the outlet but doing so on a gfi outlet renders the breaker ineffective and creates a dangerous situation because the outlet wont give the protection its designed to give. Like the original poster there is no load wire. For smart switches that function without a neutral wire a home hub is essential. Traditional wiring usually has the source feed go to the switch and then to the load.
The wiring youve described in the switch box is not possible what you actually have in there is a line load and ground. As mentioned this is supposed to be indicated by code but is often overlooked. Switch loops can use a variety of colors including the really old heavy gauge brown wire for homes 50 years old or more. They will usually be colored one black and one white potentially with black stripe. I tried using a ge 12727 switch connecting the hot wire to the line terminal the neutral to the neutral terminal and the ground to the ground terminal. Youll need a tester and some basic electrical knowledge to determine which is line and which is load to properly wire the new smart switch.
A switch box with no neutral loop will usually only have three wires see image below. In some cases the electrician will have gone to the load first and used a 142 to go to the switch and come back on the white wire. Switch without neutral wire the reason that some smart switches wont work in this configuration is that the switch is breaking the circuit when it is off so power is not flowing through the switch. Two of the wires will be the current carrying wires that power the light. Get the nano switch and install it at the light.
Gallery of Smart Switch No Load Wire
