Wiring problems/questions with Leviton switches

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I’m running into some problems installing my light switches. I tried installing 2 switches on my kitchen lights over the weekend, one is overhead can CFS and other is florescent. I thought I can go with the incandecent version of the switch VRS05-1LZ, but no luck, so I installed the version with the neutral VRS15-1LZ.

The switch for the florescent under cabinet lights worked fine, but the overhead CFL canned lights is a 3 way and I’m having a problem with that.

I first tried one set of the incandecent switch VRS05-1LZ , i couldn’t get it to work, it just ended up with the light staying on and wouldn’t turn off, and the other switch simply would not work, no light on LED. So I swapped out the VRS05-1LZ with another VRS05-1LZ and that finally worked, but now the lights flickered, so I had to replace it with a switch with VRS15-1LZ.

When I put on the VRS15-1LZ, nothing happened. I originally thought it was the neutral wire, so I swapped it with the adjacent switch, and that one still worked, just not the CFL lights. I thought it was the switch so swapped it with the adjacent one, and still nothing. And of course the VP0SR-1LZ, still didn’t work.

So i’m pretty lost at what I can do to get this to work. Or is it because the 3 way not working which is why the entire thing’s not working?

Also, do you guys know if VRS05-1LZ would work with wall outlets?

2

You should proofread your post prior to posting. This is hard to follow so you probably won?t get much help?

I’m running into some problems installing my light switches. I tried installing 2 switches on my kitchen lights over the weekend, one is overhead can CFS and other is florescent. I thought I can go with the incandecent version of the switch, but no luck, so I installed the version with the neutral (state the switch part number(s) used).

The switch for the florescent under cabinet lights worked fine (a single switch I presume based on saying the other is 3 way yes/no?), but the overhead CFL canned lights is a 3 way and I’m having a problem with that.

I first tried one set (set implies more than one) of the incandecent switch (switch or switches, singular implies one, which is it? A single switch of a pair of switches? What is the part number for each?), i couldn’t get it to work, it just ended up with the light staying on and wouldn’t turn off, and the other switch simply would not work, no light on LED. So I swapped out the incandecent with another one and that finally worked, but now the lights flickered, so I had to replace it with a switch with neutral. [size=14pt][size=12pt] (Send a diagram of how you wired this together indicating line in and load out and all the wires and travelers in-between.)[/size][/size]

When I put on the new switch (just one or a pair of them?) with neutral, nothing happened. I originally thought it was the neutral wire, so I swapped it with the adjacent switch, and that one still worked, just not the CFL lights. I thought it was the switch so swapped it with the adjacent one, and still nothing. And of course the 3 way one still didn’t work.

( You could try swapping the CFL for an old fashioned incandescent bulb and get that working first. Then add the CFL later once it works for incandescent.)

3

[quote=“curiousB, post:2, topic:181043”]You should proofread your post prior to posting. This is hard to follow so you probably won?t get much help?

I’m running into some problems installing my light switches. I tried installing 2 switches on my kitchen lights over the weekend, one is overhead can CFS and other is florescent. I thought I can go with the incandecent version of the switch, but no luck, so I installed the version with the neutral (state the switch part number(s) used).

The switch for the florescent under cabinet lights worked fine (a single switch I presume based on saying the other is 3 way yes/no?), but the overhead CFL canned lights is a 3 way and I’m having a problem with that.

I first tried one set (set implies more than one) of the incandecent switch (switch or switches, singular implies one, which is it? A single switch of a pair of switches? What is the part number for each?), i couldn’t get it to work, it just ended up with the light staying on and wouldn’t turn off, and the other switch simply would not work, no light on LED. So I swapped out the incandecent with another one and that finally worked, but now the lights flickered, so I had to replace it with a switch with neutral. [size=14pt][size=12pt] (Send a diagram of how you wired this together indicating line in and load out and all the wires and travelers in-between.)[/size][/size]

When I put on the new switch (just one or a pair of them?) with neutral, nothing happened. I originally thought it was the neutral wire, so I swapped it with the adjacent switch, and that one still worked, just not the CFL lights. I thought it was the switch so swapped it with the adjacent one, and still nothing. And of course the 3 way one still didn’t work.

( You could try swapping the CFL for an old fashioned incandescent bulb and get that working first. Then add the CFL later once it works for incandescent.)[/quote]

Fixed with the parts numbers.

Anyways, the Florescent is a single switch, and that one worked after I used the VRS15-1LZ, the 2 switches are a part of a 2 gang box.

The CFL canned lights is a part of a 3 way switch. I tried VRI05-1LZ, and that worked but flickered, but VRS15-1LZ doesn’t work. And the VP0SR-1LZ for the 3 way, didn’t work with both switches.

Also, i’m assuming the VRI05-1LZ that stayed on and wouldn’t turn off means the switch is bad.

4

From Leviton Website:

?The VRI06 is a two wire dimmer, which makes it perfect for retrofit in older homes that do not have the neutral wire at the switch location.
?It can only be used with Incandescent (including halogen) light bulbs.
?It will not work with CFL or LED bulbs due to the two wire design. Use the VRMX1 dimmer for CFL and LED bulbs. The VRMX1 is a 3 wire dimmer (load, line, neutral) that will work with incandescent as well as CFL and LED bulbs.

See attached wiring diagram. Read the note “Dimmer must be installed in a wall box that has a load connection” the coordinating remote then goes in the other box. You must connect this way…

5

I thought the VRI05-1LZ would work if I had enough power going through the system, guess not… ;D

But the VRS15-1LZ does work with CFL and Florescent, I got it working just fine with my single switch. It just didn’t work in the light with the 3 way, while VRI05-1LZ semi worked in the 3 way, (load switched on off, just not the matching remote, and it flickers). So just don’t know why.

And I want to see if I can use the VRI05-1LZ with wall outlets or do I just need to return them all.

6

Are you saying VRI06-1LZ or VRS05-1LZ? The former is a dimmer, and the latter one is a switch. It is pretty important that you know which one you have.

The VRS15-1LZ is a switch, which requires a neutral. The VRS05-1LZ is also a switch that requires a Neutral. The VRI06-1LZ is a dimmer that does NOT require a neutral.

There is not, to my knowledge, a leviton product with the model number VRI05-1LZ. And if you do have a VRI06-1LZ, you should NOT use it with an outlet as you could mess some stuff up if someone plugs in something other than a lamp into that outlet. Normally you only use switches for outlets, or a lamp dimmer module.

7

[quote=“NomisR”]I thought the VRI05-1LZ would work if I had enough power going through the system, guess not… ;D

But the VRS15-1LZ does work with CFL and Florescent, I got it working just fine with my single switch. It just didn’t work in the light with the 3 way, while VRI05-1LZ semi worked in the 3 way, (load switched on off, just not the matching remote, and it flickers). So just don’t know why.

And I want to see if I can use the VRI05-1LZ with wall outlets or do I just need to return them all.[/quote]

The VRI06-1 is a dimmer switch. Per NEC you cannot control an outlet with a dimmer switch. An on/off switch is fine to control an outlet.

The VRS15-1 is an on/off switch with mechanical contacts so it would be fine for controlling an outlet.

The VRS15-1 is a master switch that can be cascaded to 4-6 more remote switches for multi location on/off control. The included instructions show how to wire it up for this.

There us no VRI05, as stated earlier there is a VRS05 or a VRI06. Which do you have?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

8

I didn’t realize how much i’m confusing things. Lack of sleep will do that to you I guess.

I was originally trying to use VRS05 but it flickered so I tried VRS15 wired exactly the same way as the VRS05 but it wouldn’t turn on, no LED lights either

VP0SR is the matching remote that i’m using for the 3 way.

VP0SR didn’t work regardless of which switch I used, no LED lights, would not turn on/off the lights

I hope that clarifies this finally… sorry about the confusion

One thing I’m thinking, would it be possible that I mixed up the which side I would connect the switches which is why only one side works? Or worked?

9

Follow these directions and it will work (at least for incandescent).

Upper diagram on page 3