Wiring a new light switch

david.harris · 2006-05-18T22:25:32+00:00

Hi all,Sorry if this is really trivial, or has asked before, but I can't seemto find an answer.I just bought a new light switch for the laundry room in the basement.It is a Leviton brand which has a bunch of buttons to give you apredefined amount of "on" time for the light - i.e. you hit the "10"button for 10 minutes of light.The switch has 4 wires: Black, white, green, blue. The old basicswitch has 2 wires - black and white. The wiring diagram from Levitonshows multiple wires coming in from the top and bottom of the switchbox, and how to wire things appropriately.My old switch has only the two wires: black and a white.I assume the new switch green goes to the grounding screw on the box.I also assume the white should be joined to the white, and the black tothe black, each through Marrs connectors.What do I do with the blue. I've tried a couple of things (joining itin with the blacks) which powers the switch properly (it has LEDs thatshow which timer setting is in use) but the light doesn't go on - whichis really the whole point of a switch....What should I be doing?TIA,Dave

May 18, 2006 21 Replies

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Mark Lloyd 20 years ago

I have installed several motion-detector switches here, none of them need a neutral. They have 2 wires (or 3 if it has ground). I want one that uses a neutral.

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Jim Nugent 20 years ago

The OP's switch may be different, but I have two electronic timer switches to turn lights on and off automatically at evening and morning. They are powered by trickle current wither the load is on or off. I think they just use such a small amount of power that it doesn't cause a significant voltage drop. I know they use current from the light ckt because if and only if all connected bulbs burn out, the timer loses its programming.

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