Good morning. Bought some smart switches to install in my new house and i've run into two scenarios that aren't straight forward wire-up's. Wanted to get the H&G board's thoughts. Note: house is wired with 12/2 romex like normal other than where an extra conductor is needed for 3 way switches, etc.

Scenario #1: 3 switch gang box, all single pole switches, want to put one smart switch here

Below is a wiring diagram similar to what's in the gang box currently. All the neutrals are ganged together, one hot coming in, split to the three switches, then on from the switches to the lights. The smart switch requires the neutral be wired directly in (diagram also below). Do I tie the neutral coming from the smart switch into the neutral pigtail and wire the live, load, and ground the same as the current switch?

Scenario #2: Single pole switch at end of run

For this one, the romex hits the light first then the switch at the end of the run. So in the gang box there are only three wires: hot, neutral (which becomes the return leg), and ground. So, 3 wires in the gang box but need neutral to wire smart switch. Not sure on this one other than running another conductor somehow.

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Posted by LSUtigerME

Walker, LA

Member since Oct 2012

3891 posts

Posted on 4/23/20 at 11:38 am to Coon

quote:
Scenario #1: 3 switch gang box, all single pole switches, want to put one smart switch here

Yes, wire the smart switch neutral to the pig tail group, line/load and ground same as others.

quote:
Scenario #2: Single pole switch at end of run

This one I think you’re screwed unless you get a smart switch without a neutral. I’ve always hated this type of switch loop so I didn’t put any of them in my house. It saves a little bit of wire, but it’s infinitely more confusing when tracing them, or adding smart switches.

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Posted by Coon

La 56 Southbound

Member since Feb 2005

18548 posts

Posted on 4/23/20 at 12:00 pm to LSUtigerME

Thanks!
For scenario 2, that’s what I figured. There are some smart switches that don’t require neutral. Also, the box is about 2” from the light with the wire ran about 1’ through the wall behind it so I may be able to pull a new wire or just put a small piece of shielded wire or conduit between them. It’s under cabinet lighting so shouldn’t be a bad deal to hide it...

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Posted by MikeBRLA

Baton Rouge

Member since Jun 2005

16890 posts

Posted on 4/23/20 at 12:25 pm to LSUtigerME

quote:
I’ve always hated this type of switch loop so I didn’t put any of them in my house. It saves a little bit of wire, but it’s infinitely more confusing when tracing them, or adding smart switches.

I’m not an election but its my understanding that it’s required by code now in many places for this very reason

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Posted by mchias1

Member since Dec 2009

903 posts

Posted on 4/23/20 at 1:46 pm to MikeBRLA

For scenario 2 get yourself a microswitch module like this microswtich.

I have one like this placed in a junction box in my attic next to the sheet rock underneath the insulation. Stays cool this way.

Wiring:
HOT: L and O
Neutral: N
Switch: SW and L
bulb: I and N

For scenario 1 do it just as you suggest. The smart switches are wired just like a tradional light switch with a neutral pig tail attached to the neutral wire node.

This post was edited on 4/23/20 at 1:49 pm

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Posted by NYCAuburn