So I am new to this so I hope this not a stupid question. I am going to be installing some Linear switches and dimmers in my new house. All the switches have the black wire and ground wire only running to them. The neutral wires are tucked in the back of the box and wire nutted together. In a 2 or 3 gang situation how do I figure out neutral wire need to go to which switch? Does it matter or do they all just need to have a neutral connection.
Hi cwylie!
That bundle of neutrals in the back needs to stay connected as they likely run to other termination points (outlets, other switches, etc…) on that same circuit. You will want to get a jumper wire that you can wire nut into the existing bundle, and that jumper wire will be connected to your Linear switch. You can pull this wire out of a piece of Romex or you can ask anyone in the electrical department at any of the big box stores for a short piece of wire that will accomplish what you want.
Happy installation!
So in a 3 gang situation I will need to add 3 jumper wires? That might get tight.
No you don’t. In z-wave each device have to be powered that’s why each have to have black (hot) and white (neutral) wire connected. Connect one white wire from wire-nut connection (where all white connected together) which will be your “jumper” to first z-wave switch terminal marked N Neutral (and most likely have a silver color screw) and then run another white wire from that terminal to another z-wave switch same neutral terminal. Repeat same with third switch if you have three gang, so that each switch Neutral terminal connected to your wire-nut splice on back of your box. Hope that you wiring simple two way switch. If you wiring three way z-wave switch that could be little more tricky.