Alternative Wiring for Jasco/GE 45609 ?

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I went to finish upgrading the last few lights (Florescent) in my home over the weekend with the Jasco 45609 and ran into a problem where the Neutral wire keeps the light on constantly. turning the switch off turns the lights off for a split second then turns them back on again. A support call to Jasco confirmed my installation was correct but some homes apparently have a neutral wiring system that is incompatible with the 45609.

While doing some digging for an alternative method of installing the switch or another product that does not require a neutral connection at all (ie 45606) I spotted a posting by Barath:

Quote from: barath on April 17, 2011, 04:36:11 pm
I had it installed without neutral connection. My electrician told me we can use ground as neutral on the GE45609/ GE45614.

Load → Light
Line → Hotwire
Neutral → Ground
Ground → Left Open

And it works very well.

Can Anyone verify this is safe and works?

2

Update, I just spoke with Jasco support and power for the z-wave radio requires the neutral to be in place.

Does anyone know of an alternative to 45609 which has the same overall look and does not require the neutral line or a smaller version of the LFM-20 (space behind the box is very limited)

3

The two ways to power the ZWave radio is by using a neutral, or by passing a little current through the light itself.

You mentioned that your lights are florescent. Those kind of lights do not tolerate that little bit of current very well.

BTW - Using the ground as a neutral is a big dangerous no-no.

4

[quote=“JamesM, post:1, topic:169816”]My electrician told me we can use ground as neutral on the GE45609/ GE45614.

Load → Light
Line → Hotwire
Neutral → Ground
Ground → Left Open

And it works very well.

Can Anyone verify this is safe and works?[/quote]

DO NOT DO THIS, BAD NEWS and can cause a fire and burn your house down. When your insurance company see’s that your invalid wiring was the cause, you just screwed yourself and your insurance policy. A VERY expensive mistake!