What’s the best Single Pole On/Off Switch that does not require a Neutral Wire. Right now I’m looking at the Leviton VRS05-1LX. Any better?
Or Cooper Aspire RF9518, depending on which style you like since these 2 supports instant status. I heard the newer GE ones supports instant status as well but I believe those requires neutral. If you don’t care about instant status than you can try either Evolve/Linear or GE/Jasco.
The latter ones are more standard decora style while Cooper and Leviton are … different.
Thanks NomisR,
I tried two GE 45609 Z-Wave On/Off Relay Switches but they needed a Neutral Wire, or so I was Advised after they didn’t work!
Jim
GE/JASCO/Linear/Evolve do not make a 2-wire relay, they all require neutrals. The Cooper 9518 and the Leviton are the only ones. GE used to make a 2-wire dimmer but that has been discontinued and is being replaced with a 3-wire dimmer, none of the GE/JASCO models support instant status including the new models. Leviton also makes a 2-wire dimmer model VRI06.
@haworld, any idea when the new GE dimmers will be widely available? Not even Jasco’s site lists them yet.
The two wire switches all require a resistive load (i.e. an incandescent light).
They depend on the leakage current of the load in the off mode to provide power for the Z-Wave switch.
With LED/CFLs the leakage current is not adequate. Since high wattage incandescent light are being phased out, that’s why these type of Z-Wave devices have been phased out.
@ TC1 - They will NOT be available at all to retail/end consumers until late summer according to JASCO. They are Model 45712 and we have them in stock right now, but only for sale to contractors/installers/integrators - JASCO is not allowing anyone us or anyone else to sell them directly to DIY customers.
The important thing to note here is that there are two different brands, GE and Jasco. The GE brand is for sale to anyone, although specifically marketed to retail consumers, whereas the JASCO brand in contractor packaging, including the light almond color switches, is only for sale to installers and/or integrators. The new 3-wire LED/CFL dimmer is a JASCO brand product, model 45712, and comes with a white and light almond interchangeable faceplate. Currently the GE brand 45612 2-wire dimmer and the 45609 relay and 45610 auxiliary switches only come in white, light almond is no longer available. By summers end they are saying that both GE and JASCO branded products will match but the 45612 2-wire dimmer will be gone completely when it is replaced by the 45712 with 2 color faceplates and the 45609 and 45610 will be the same just replaced by the 2 color interchangeable faceplates.
These new model numbers will be identified as a 457XX series although there is another ZW number that they use (the 45712 is now a ZW3005 for example). We do stock the new 457XX models of relays, auxiliary switches and 3-wire dimmers which now have both colors, but again cannot sell them direct to consumers. Basically Jasco, who make all GE consumer electronics, and therefore both brands, is only allowing the sale of JASCO brand products to contractors, installers and/or integrators - the GE brand is a retail brand meant for DIY consumers - anyone can buy GE. If anyone needs the new models, have their installer/contractor give us a call or email us.
That’s terrible news regarding the GE/Jasco new dimmers. I don’t get the end of summer delay for retail consumers. I have a order of dimmers for my house I have to place and wanted to at least consider the GE dimmers. Oh well.
Yes it is! We dropped our prices on the Linear WD500Z to try to make up for it so consumers at least had a comparable 3-wire alternative as well as color alternates but Linear charges for their different colored faceplates so if you just want a white 3-wire dimmer they are cheaper, but the other colors add a bit to the price. Plus GE uses a physical traveler for 3-ways so their aux switch is half price compared to the virtual ones which are same as a master. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news 
Yup, in my particular application I need the light almond ones for some rooms (or the wife will kill me).
Plus, i want to sync-dim two different light circuits, so I believe the GEs wouldn’t have worked anyway. Looks like Cooper or possibly Linear.
Thanks again for the inside info, it’s always appreciated!
-TC