Blueblaze |
06-22-2021 01:49 PM |
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrhobson
(Post 1962871)
The online description of the switch specifically says it is for a 3-way circuit (I'm not quite that dense) BUT it doesn't say that it can only be installed in the "LOAD" box and therein lies my confusion. Your post mentions which "end" of the circuit the box is on and that's what I am trying to clarify. Apparently one end is considered the "Line" end and the other is considered the "Load" end. From what I've read, it appears to me that the box I would like to install it in is a "LINE" box (in their language). This is based on its proximity to the breaker panel plus I don't see enough wires for this box to feed the light being controlled. I have ordered a three-way motion-sensing switch from a different manufacturer to see if it has such a restriction. I understand single pole, double throw switches but it is the definitions (by the switch maker) that confused me. Thanks to all who posted helpful replies.
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If the switch must be installed at the "load" end, VillageTinker's instructions tell you how to find the "line" (hot) wire, not the "load". "Load" means the light bulb. "Line" means the source of the power -- the panel. Whichever switch box did NOT have a hot wire connected to the original switch is the "load" side of the circuit, and that's apparently where your motion detector wants to be installed (although I can't think of a reason it would matter).
Here's a picture of a 3-way circuit, to help you understand how it works. See the two wires labeled "travelers"? The power travels from the panel to the lightbulb over one or the other depending on the position of the two switches. In the drawing, the light bulb is off. As you can see, if you flick either switch, the power finds a path over one of the two travelers to the light bulb.
But we haven't talked about "neutrals", which are the white wires. They are the return path from the light bulb to the panel (which I haven't shown in my drawing). Motion detectors normally need a neutral as well as a Line and Load because the gadget that detects the motion needs a return current path itself. If you mistakenly connect a hot wire (whether line or load) directly to a neutral (which would happen if you connected a white wire to the wrong lug on your motion detector) that's a "short circuit", which will trip a breaker and make sparks when you turn the circuit back on. If you accidentally did that when the power was already on (because you turned off the wrong breaker) , it would blow up in your face and the hot flying metal could ruin your eyes. Getting electrocuted is not the only way you can get hurt playing amateur electrician.
Like I said, I think you should get an electrician, but if you want to attach a picture of the instructions and the device, I'll see if I can decipher it for you.
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