GE 3-way switch - AUX end not working

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

Hi there,

I spent hours yesterday trying to install the GE 3-way on/off switch and it’s still not working properly. The wiring of my previous 3-way switch seems to be a bit different from normal. Here’s how it was originally configured (please excuse my lack of proper terminology, I’m not that familiar with wiring):

SWITCH 1:
3 power lines (A,B,C) with 2 wires + bare (white, black)
1 power line (D) with 3 wires + bare (white, red, black)

SWITCH 2:
1 power line (E) with 3 wires + bare (white, red, black)

In switch 1, all bare wires were connected to a wire nut. The neutral white wires from A, B and C were all connected via a wire nut. The neutral wire from D was connected to the top terminal of the switch. The black wires from A and B were connected via wire nut and a jumper to the middle terminal of the switch. The black wire from C was connected to the red wire from D via a wire nut. Finally, the black wire from D was connected to the bottom terminal (black screw) of the switch.

In switch 2 the bare wire was disconnected. The white wire from E was connected to the bottom terminal (black screw) of the switch. The red wire was connected to the middle terminal of the switch, and the black wire was connected to the top terminal of the switch.

After some trial and error I configured the 45609 as follows:

Black wires from A, B and D connected via wire nut and jumper to LINE. Black wire from C connected to LOAD. White wires from A, B, C and D connected via wire nut and jumper to NEUTRAL. Ground wires from A, B, C and D connected via wire nut and jumper to GROUND. Red wire from D connected to TRAVELER.

This works beautifully - the LED lights up, the 45609 controls the light on/off without issue, and surrounding electrical outlets seem to operate just fine - but the AUX switch is useless and does nothing.

The 45610 I configured like so:

White wire in switch 2 to NEUTRAL. Ground wire to GROUND. Red wire to TRAVELER. Black wire capped.

Both the black wire and red wire are hot, regardless of the state of the switch on the other end.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to configure this correctly - it’s not at all like the instructions in the book and I’ve researched many posts on this forum without encountering this same sort of scenario.

2

Pictures would help. I can try to help you but based on your description I’m not even sure how many switches are in the electrical box.

3

that is exactly my problem. ufd108 also tried to help me. 45609 works fine-turns light on/off. i also capped the hot wire in the location where i installed the 45610 because it is not needed as we only need the red traveler and neutral. the 45610 did not communicate with the primary 45609. so believing that the aux 45610 is defective amazon replaced the kit with a new one but to no avail. i restored the non zwave standard switches before the wife kills me. and now the zwave 3-way kit is sitting in table waiting for some help. i can’t afford a prof electrician. thanks.

4

OK, so this is the way the cables are wired to the switches as best as I can tell.

I’ll see if I can diagram the connections in the switches themselves but that might be a bit more complicated.

5

OK, here are my primitive attempts at wiring diagrams for switch 1 and 2. Note that I’ve also purchased another kit at Lowe’s to see if either switch was bad - for this kit as well the 45609 turns the light on and off just fine but the 45610 does nothing.

6

I just had a defective 3-way GE kit from Amazon last night. The 09 master works fine but will not communicate with the 10 switch. Changed the 09 out and now they work fine together…

7

I tried that but no luck. Ended up calling Jasco tech support and they indicated that it wasn’t working due to impedance - too much signal noise between the primary and auxiliary switches. Ordered instead a Leviton pair of switches to do 3-way and installed last night, works like a charm. Will be returning the GE switches - they work great as a one-off but the 3-way seems not to work well in all circumstances.

8

This was the first 3-way set I have had that didnt work… Disappointing, especially with the cost of these devices…

9

i just dropped off 45609/45610 at the ups store for the 3rd time returning it to amazon-but this time i did not ask for a replacement; i asked for a refund. enough of this GE zwave 3-way kit. 45609 works fine as a standalone and also the dimmer 45612 but not as a 3-way. i will try another brand either EVOLVE or LEVITON.