I have the 2nd edition of these dimmer control and am trying to wire it in to a 4 way switch setup. I searched and looked at the existing threads and the schematic that AEOTEC has on their site, but still am not clear.
I have a black hot wire going into the light switch. Then there are 2 orange wires on the switch. Those are the traveler wires. There are white wires in the box winged together, so I can get my neutral wire from there.
I am not clear if I wire the black hot wire to the Live connection on the box then one of the outputs to the switch where the black wire was and the other output wire from the module to an orange wire or what.
Step one of any wiring job is to positively identify your wires. There is no shortcut to this. You cannot assume the wire’s function base on color, especially in multi-way circuits.
You should not need to tear your house apart, but you will likely need to remove a few switch plates and use a tester at your switches and the light. Once you have the wires identified, wiring to match the diagram should be easy.
@Z-Waver… this is part question, part “aha” moment. Using one of these, you can wire it into your existing 3 or 4-way setup, keeping all the existing switches? And still be able to dim from all locations?
@tomgru - Yes you can keep your existing switches, but you probably cannot control the dim level.
Using the Aeon dimmer microswitch, you can have two wall switch scenarios.
Using your existing bistable(flip/flop) switches to activate(On/Off) the Aeon dimmer microswitch. In this configuration dim levels can only be set or adjusted via Vera. You cannot adjust the dim level at the wall switch. The mciroswitch will recall the last dim level.
Using momentary wall switches with the Aeon dimmer microswitch, you can turn On/Off AND you can adjust your dim level using the momentary wall switches and/or your Vera.
You cannot use a standard dimmer wall switch(rheostat slider or rotary potentiometer) with the Aeon dimmer.
[quote=“Z-Waver, post:4, topic:180917”]Step one of any wiring job is to positively identify your wires. There is no shortcut to this. You cannot assume the wire’s function base on color, especially in multi-way circuits.
You should not need to tear your house apart, but you will likely need to remove a few switch plates and use a tester at your switches and the light. Once you have the wires identified, wiring to match the diagram should be easy.[/quote]
I know they used orange wires for travelers in my house. Since the switch I have open has one black wire that is coming directly from the switch next to it, I guess that I need to find another switch with a black wire.
I am thinking this might not work. I have to find that switch, hope there are neutral wires in there and there is enough room in that box to fit the device. The device is bigger than I envisioned it.
But that doesn’t really mean anything. With a 4-way circuit and depending on how the wires are connected, an orange wire(traveler) might be line, neutral or load.
I’m thinking that you might want to have an electrician do this for you. You can have him teach you how to do the first one.
If you look at the diagram, you might notice that the switches create a loop(not connected to line). Each end of the loop attaches to the microswitch. The power(line) and load(light) attach separately on the other side of the microswitch. The microswitch needs to go where the line and load are located. it may be in the gang box of one of your wall switches, or it may be in the light itself.
Is there a way to pair to my veralite without the Aeotec Minimote? I didn’t realize one needs that in order to pair?[/quote] Answered in your double post.
Thanks, Z-Waver,I am new to all these zwave technology, and NOT being an electrician doesn’t help me either lol. Would you mind giving me some pointers on what is the best way to test the 3-way (or 4-way) wiring that I have in my house? Since like you mentioned, we cannot assume the wire schemes base on color. If you have a link to any reliable and easy to understand instruction, that would be great. You can assume I have no prior knowledge in electrical wiring, but I can follow logic and willing to learn.
Thank you and anyone else in advance for any pointer, I appreciate it.
I can offer you a few links on 3 and 4-way switches. I’m not able to teach you the basics of household electricity and how it works. Google can offer lots of reference material, but I’d recommend against self-teaching with household electricity. It can kill you.
Testing live circuits is dangerous, even with relatively safe current detectors. If you don’t know about electricity, I would strongly recommend that you rely on an electrician or someone with experience.
How 4-way switches work. Note that the color coding in this example is valid only for the drawing, real world color coding is different. Specifically, Green is ground in the U.S.A. 3 and 4-way switch tutorial.
Thanks Z-Waver, I searched online before posting the above question and it turned out one of a few sites I read was also recommended by you.
I agree, there is danger everywhere, event experts have fallen victim to mishaps–as no human is immune to danger. That reminds all of us when we are working with electricity.
I carefully worked out all the switches and was alert the whole time. Finally I replaced all the 3, 4, and 5 way switches in my rooms.
[quote=“michaeljc70, post:1, topic:180917”]I have the 2nd edition of these dimmer control and am trying to wire it in to a 4 way switch setup. I searched and looked at the existing threads and the schematic that AEOTEC has on their site, but still am not clear.
I have a black hot wire going into the light switch. Then there are 2 orange wires on the switch. Those are the traveler wires. There are white wires in the box winged together, so I can get my neutral wire from there.
I am not clear if I wire the black hot wire to the Live connection on the box then one of the outputs to the switch where the black wire was and the other output wire from the module to an orange wire or what.[/quote]
Many people helped you with diagrams and schematics which was great. As part of my research I found this site which shows your products and a variety of schematics including live and non-live wiring and those schematics are from Aeon Technologies. Just in case other people ask the same question.
