Installing a Smart Dimmer Switch w/ neutral wire

A DIY, step-by-step guide on how to install a WIFI Smart Dimmer Switch with a neutral wire.

[@meritocracy168]

Thank you. I was about to return the smart switch that requires neutral wiring to the store. After watching your video, I am able to install the new switch myself now.

[@jofalltrades1816]

This is great to hear!

[@ReGvViper]

I now know how to do something new that I have never even thought of doing before. Thorough, clear, and very easy to understand. Thanks!

[@jofalltrades1816]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@pavanvoggu7223]

Thank you for showing how to connect the neutral wire, and clarifying that a ground wire connection to green screw on the switch isn't required if the ground is attached to the screw on gang box. Well demonstrated the process. Can you please as well show how to replace a three way regular switch with a three way smart dimmer switch. It will be very helpful. Thank you

[@homchickn]

You should twist the wires clockwise, the same way the nut tightens

[@ChristopherJames4]

The “pigtail” is actually the wire that is added to the existing neutral wirenut group. It pigtails off to the switch.

[@deeptejinder]

Thanks and merry christmas

[@rohitmulgund]

Very good explanation. Much appreciated 👍

[@danielespinosa244]

I have a question, from your video you show us how to check for which one is the hot with the pen. What if you don't have that? Will it say hot on the original switch? Or do we assume its always the top connection of the switch. Thanks

[@jofalltrades1816]

The switch wont usually identify the hot or power wire. Another way to check is with a multimeter, check for 120 volts. In gang boxes with multiple switches it can be hard to tell. The switch simply breaks the circuit on the hot wire, so it doesnt matter if that goes to the top or bottom screw. In a lot of boxes I have seen, the hot wire will come in through the bottom and the wires out the top of the box will go to the fixture. But this may not always be the case. Hope that helps

[@lookoutnow4996]

I need to know what switch to buy that my phone doesn't have to be connected to wifi.. Say if I'm on the road or at the park..

[@RHochroth1]

I want to install a Lutron Maestro PRO switch. I need a neutral wire for that switch and I have to use a pig tail like you do in the video, In my switch box, there is a group of white wires twisted just like yours. However, in the switch box, there are two other switches. I'm assuming those white wires twisted together are neutral wires.. How can I determine that hooking a pigtail wire from the PRO to those wires is the correct course of action? They have to be on the same circuit for it to be proper, correct? Thank you!

[@jofalltrades1816]

As long as you only have one power wire coming into the gang box you can pigtail to that neutral bundle. If all the white wires are pigtailed already this is most likely a single circuit. You will tell this by flipping off the breaker and checking for power at all the switches. You should be ok to pigtail from that neutral bundle, just make sure to use the correct sized wire nut (marrette) for the number of wires you will have twisted together. If there are 2 power circuits coming into the gang box you would have separate neutral bundles and would connect to the neutral bundle for the specific light you are trying to control. Hope that makes sense.

[@RHochroth1]

@@jofalltrades1816 Thank you. I have three light switches. The left and right switches are on the same breaker and the middle switch is on a different breaker. The left switch has red/white/black wires going to it. This is where I want to put the PRO. The wires that appear to be the neutral bundle come from other cables behind the other switches. Would it work if I pigtailed the neutral wire from the PRO to the white wire bundle that's associated with the right switch since they're on the same breaker/circuit? Thank you sir!

[@RHochroth1]

Never mind. Got it working. Thank you for your time and help!

[@jofalltrades1816]

@@RHochroth1 Good to hear! If you pigtailed to that neutral bundle on the same circuit it will work perfectly.

[@RHochroth1]

@@jofalltrades1816 And that's exactly what I did! Thank you!

[@ezwider4652]

How common is it for homes to have this neutral wire? Is this also done in older homes built in 70-80's?

[@jofalltrades1816]

Most home from the 60's and on will have copper wiring with a neutral wire. 70's-80's should have this, it may be NMD-7 wire instead of NMD-90 but the neutral should be there. Some 70's era homes may also have aluminum wire, as this was used instead of copper for a period.

[@rixrat572]

Thanks it was helpful

[@minhtruong13]

thank you so much

[@jofalltrades1816]

You're welcome!

[@Длясебя-ю8ь]

Здравствуйте.Скажите,можно ли подключать данные диммер без кабеля заземления?Спасибо

[@bakavoice]

ну вот автор подключает. На видео не видно ground wire нигде

[@3Q2HFNILQHF]

I never untwist the existing wires. They're very brittle and break. Do this enough and you'll run out of wire.

[@jofalltrades1816]

agreed, especially on an older home with thinner copper conductor. This was only a year old, with plenty left in the gang box.