Djp 714: Neutrals and Timer Switch
#1
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Originally posted to: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...ne-switch.html
Did you pigtail the neutral wire from the switch to the existing neutral bundle? I have a similar situation where I'm replacing one of the three switches to a timer switch (same honeywell model).
But all the neutral wires are currently bundled together. Can I connect the timer switch's neutral wire to the existing neutral bundle? Or do I need to separate out the neutrals? The switch I'm replacing is a standard 2 wire switch.
Did you pigtail the neutral wire from the switch to the existing neutral bundle? I have a similar situation where I'm replacing one of the three switches to a timer switch (same honeywell model).
But all the neutral wires are currently bundled together. Can I connect the timer switch's neutral wire to the existing neutral bundle? Or do I need to separate out the neutrals? The switch I'm replacing is a standard 2 wire switch.
#2
But all the neutral wires are currently bundled together. Can I connect the timer switch's neutral wire to the existing neutral bundle?
#3
The timer puts an almost unmeasurable load on the neutral circuit so in that application any neutral will work. That being said.....make sure what you think is neutral is actually neutral.
#4
Can I connect the timer switch's neutral wire to the existing neutral bundle?
#6
thanks for clarifying. There's currently 4 neutral wires bundled together in one wire nut.
The way I would say that is "There are currently 4 white wires, presumably neutrals, spliced together and protected by a wire nut."
If the word "bundled" means anything in electrical work, it means pulling parallel wire or cable runs together and securing them, often with cable ties, so that they bend and hold as one. It is not a substitute for the word "spliced." When conductors are spliced together, they are mechanically and electrically joined to create a continuous path for electrical potential through the spliced set. When they are bundled, they are simply tied together in a way that makes them easier to manage.
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Here's some pictures. I'm planning to replace the middle porch switch with the timer (Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS741B1007/U since porch lights are CFLs).
I'm also attaching a photo of the schematic.
Is wire 1 the load (or power)? The black wires from wires 2,3 and 4 are connected to the black wire from wire 1. Wire 0 is not connected to it but perhaps because it's a slave 3 way switch..
The neutrals from wire 1, 2, 3, 4 are connected together in one wire nut.
Wires 2 and 3 are connected to the Porch light switch. I'm assuming there's 2 separate wires since there's 2 lights outside.
Wire 0 connects to the Foyer 3 way switch. But I don't see a neutral there.
I'm planning to swap the middle Porch light switch to the Honeywell Timer. Can I connect the 2 black wires from the existing Porch light switch and connect the neutral to the existing neutral wire nut?
I'm also attaching a photo of the schematic.
Is wire 1 the load (or power)? The black wires from wires 2,3 and 4 are connected to the black wire from wire 1. Wire 0 is not connected to it but perhaps because it's a slave 3 way switch..
The neutrals from wire 1, 2, 3, 4 are connected together in one wire nut.
Wires 2 and 3 are connected to the Porch light switch. I'm assuming there's 2 separate wires since there's 2 lights outside.
Wire 0 connects to the Foyer 3 way switch. But I don't see a neutral there.
I'm planning to swap the middle Porch light switch to the Honeywell Timer. Can I connect the 2 black wires from the existing Porch light switch and connect the neutral to the existing neutral wire nut?
Last edited by djp714; 11-11-12 at 09:34 PM.
#8
Here's some pictures. I'm planning to replace the middle porch switch with the timer.
I'm also attaching a photo of the schematic.
Is wire 1 the load (or power)?
Translating, your drawing indicates that Cable 1 contains the the wires coming from the panel.
The black wires from wires 2,3 and 4 are connected to the black wire from wire 1.
The neutrals from wire 1, 2, 3, 4 are connected together in one wire nut.
Wire 0 connects to the Foyer 3 way switch. But I don't see a neutral there.
I'm planning to swap the middle Porch light switch to the Honeywell Timer. Can I connect the 2 black wires from the existing Porch light switch and connect the neutral to the existing neutral wire nut?
#9
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Translating, your drawing indicates that Cable 1 contains the the wires coming from the panel.
The black wires from wires 2,3 and 4 are connected to the black wire from wire 1.
Wire 0 connects to the Foyer 3 way switch. But I don't see a neutral there.
I'm planning to swap the middle Porch light switch to the Honeywell Timer. Can I connect the 2 black wires from the existing Porch light switch and connect the neutral to the existing neutral wire nut?
Yes! Thanks very much for your detailed response. It has really helped me feel more comfortable installing the timer.
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...#ixzz2BzGNmNU2
#10
It's possible that I did not see the neutral wire in Cable 0 but it's there. Is it possible that neutral wire would not existing since it's a remote 3-way switch?
All 3-way switch switch pairs are installed so that one is remote from the other. That's why they're used.

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I'm planning to swap the middle Porch light switch to the Honeywell Timer. Can I connect the 2 black wires from the existing Porch light switch and connect the neutral to the existing neutral wire nut?
One more question. If I eventually replace all 3 switches to ones that have neutral wires, would all 3 neutral wires from the switches splice to the existing neutral splice (neutral wires from cables 0,1,2,3,4)? So in total, I would splice 8 wires together? Just want to make sure if there's some limit that I need to be aware of.
I'm considering Radio RA2 for the other 2 switches so I want to plan ahead. Thanks.
I'm considering Radio RA2 for the other 2 switches so I want to plan ahead. Thanks.
#12
So in total, I would splice 8 wires together? Just want to make sure if there's some limit that I need to be aware of.