Need advice about Jasco 45607/45609/45610 three-way switches

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I need some advice about wiring up an overhead light with a three-way switch kit.

I’ve got an overhead light with two switches. One switch is a dimmer, and the other is a simple on/off. Both boxes have four wires: black, white, red, ground.

I had purchased a standard 45609/45610 three-switch kit, but I’ve run into two problems. Both the 45609 and the 45607 need a fifth wire that isn’t in the box, and I’d prefer not to have to run a wire if I don’t have to. Second, my girl is asking me to keep the dimmer feature of at least one switch.

Ordinarily, I’d think that I am out of luck. However, since I already own a VeraLite, I’m curious whether I could just hook up two 45607s to each box - have the primary control the actual light, and have the second one not control the light (i.e., not connected to the load) but send a signal that is received by the VeraLite and forwarded to the primary box.

Any reason why that wouldn’t work?

2

I’ll answer your questions in reverse order. Since you want a dimmer, leave the 45609 out of this question, it is not a dimmer.

There can be only ONE 45607(a.k.a. 45612) dimmer per circuit. You CANNOT use two of them to control the same light. The 45607(primary) uses the 45610 as a remote for 3-way or more wiring. When properly installed, dimming control is possible from both the 45607(primary) and the 45610(remote) switch.

There is no substitution for wires. The wiring described in the manual must be followed. But, there are only four wires on the 45607. There is a Line(Black), a Load(Black), a Ground(Green), and a Traveler(usually Red), four wires. The 45610 has three wires attached. I don’t know why people have such a hard time understanding the GE manual’s diagram.

You must positively identify all of the wire in the box. You must positively identify the Line, the Load, and the Traveler. If you cannot positively identify each wire, get an electrician to do it for you.

Edit: Remove incorrect association between 45607 and 45612. They are not identical.

3

+1

I do my own wiring because I’m an electrical and computer engineer by schooling. And though I’m not an electrician by trade, I’ve actually read the NEC because I was bored one day. If anyone is unsure about their electrical wiring, play it safe and spend the bucks on an electrician. This is your house and any electrical work not done to code can either immediately or eventually cause a fire or hazard to humans.

-TC

4

The wiring diagrams in the manuals for both the 45607 and the 45609 list five wires connected to the primary switch.

The 45609 lists the following five connections: Line (Black), Load (Black), Traveler (“Colored (not green)”), Neutral (White), and Ground (Green).

The 45607 lists the following five connections (and only by their colors): Line (Black), Load (Blue), Traveler (Yellow), Neutral (White), and Ground (Green).

Of course, this goes right in line with the actual 45609, which has five terminals: Load, Line, Traveler, Neutral, and Ground.

5

My apologies, the 45607(unlike the 45612) does utilize a neutral wire, as you said.

Leave the 45609 out of this discussion. If we are talking dimmers, let’s focus on the 45607 and 45610.

Perhaps these diagrams will help you, but we’d need to know more about how your circuit is wired. Again, you must positively identify all the wires.