Trying to install my first light switch

Posted on
Tue Feb 16, 2021 9:29 pm
trazanka offline
Posts: 3
Joined: Jul 11, 2017

Trying to install my first light switch

After 3 years I finally had enough free time to start installing the devices I bought 3 years ago... I know pitiful.

Anyway, I go to install my first switch and when I open the cover I see a completely different wiring scheme then what the Leviton DZ6HD single pole suggests. Attachment 1
Attachment1.jpg
Attachement 1
Attachment1.jpg (467.14 KiB) Viewed 1514 times

I see the Green/bare copper, but then I have two black wires connected to the other two screws and the two whites are connected by a wire nut not attached to the switch at all.. Attachment 2
Attachment2.jpg
Attachment 2
Attachment2.jpg (312.93 KiB) Viewed 1514 times

Sorry to be such a newb but I do not want to fry the first switch I have tried,

Thanks in advance for any ideas on where to start.

Gary

Posted on
Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:05 pm
peszko offline
Posts: 311
Joined: Mar 07, 2012

Re: Trying to install my first light switch

I'm in Canada, but... The switch simply breaks the circuit, so one of the black wires is hot, the other is load and the white one is neutral that goes directly to the load. What you need to do is check which is hot and which is not. (couldn't resist). Then the hot goes to black, the white goes to white (neutral) and the other side of the load, and the other non hot black goes to load. The only difference is that your new switch needs to get power so it needs both the neutral (white) and hot (black) for it self as well.

Having said all that, if you are at all not sure hire an electrician.
Last edited by peszko on Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Posted on
Tue Feb 16, 2021 10:09 pm
trazanka offline
Posts: 3
Joined: Jul 11, 2017

Re: Trying to install my first light switch

Well... I should have known something was wrong when I reread the directions, I do not have any red wires which are for the dimmer,

I grabbed the wrong switch, this is not a light that can be dimmed.

Put an Insteon 2477S without dimming and the instructions are perfect.

My bad.

Good news is my first/second correct switch works like a charm.

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