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beau_rutherford

Installing Wifi Light Swith Help

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

Hi everyone,

Long story short I'm trying to replace a light switch with one connected to a network so I can access the light with my phone. The switch I got replaces only a single pole but not a multi-switch. My first question is can you tell from the setup if this is a single-pole? I'm intending to replace the switch on the right with red wires connected to it. The switch on the left can stay the way it is. Thanks for your help.


Comments (12)

  • 9 years ago

    Yep, it's a single pole, single throw switch.

    I'm assuming by "multi-switch" you meant a 3-way switch?

    It has the white (neutral) wire attached to it because it also has the indicator light. Regular toggle switches only require the hot in and the switched hot out.

  • 9 years ago

    Actually, I think it might be a double pole, single throw switch. But it's only being used as a single pole, single throw switch. (ie. the neutral isn't attached to the other side)

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks Greg. I have a couple of more questions. Here is the switch I want to install.

    I'm assuming I connect each black wire to each existing red one and the white wire connects to the white and the green grounding connects to the box, correct? Also, I don't really have access to the breaker. Being careful can I still put the switch in without cutting power? Risking maybe a shock here or there of course ... thanks again.

  • 9 years ago

    I don't really have access to the breaker

    RED FLAG. Does this mean that you are doing electrical work on a building that you don't own or a multi-tenant building? You can't do that. Abandon this project.

    Also, working on electricity with the power on is stupid. Especially if you're a novice.

    (Otherwise, the only thing you have wrong above is that you can't just randomly attach the two red wires to the blacks. The red that is the power source goes to the lightning bolt.)

  • 9 years ago

    I think there are light bulbs that you can control by wifi. Do that instead of the switch.

  • 9 years ago

    Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like the white wires are "zipcord" (lamp cord) which is illegal for inside wall wiring. Also, how can you live in a residence where you can't control the fuses/circuit breakers? I did that many years (illegally), but I was living in a dorm room in college.

  • 9 years ago

    I think Mtv is right, The zip cord and the crimpon connectors lends me to believe that some auto mechanic has been at this job.


  • 9 years ago

    Two blacks, two reds and one white all coming out of the wall. Looks weird.

  • 9 years ago

    I think it's time to hire an electrician....

  • 9 years ago

    I agree, the current setup is too flaky to take chances with for a do-ti-yourself job. It appears that the "mechanic/electrician" used crimp connectors because there are stranded wires. Stranded wires are not normally used for standard house wiring, so those wires probably lead to some device. The red looks like the wiring you might find in a heater or other large amp draw device, and the white looks like 16 gauge lamp cord. Neither one should be run inside a wall.

    Bruce

  • 9 years ago

    The wires are individual wires run through conduit, which further leads me to believe that this is a commercial building and the OP shouldn't be messing with the wiring.

    In one of the pictures you can see THWN stamped on the red wire, so I don't think there's anything wrong there. I think individual wires are usually (always?) stranded. It's easier to pull through conduit.

    Re: the white wire. It looks like the wire coming out of the conduit is the proper wire (although maybe smaller than the black/red?). It looks like just the pigtails from the wirenut to the devices are using lamp cord. So at least that's an easy fix to swap it out for the right stuff.

  • 9 years ago

    The ground wire looks undersized compared to the current carrying conductors as well.

    I'm curious about whether this is done correctly in other aspects. It looks like someone cut a rough hole in the wall and installed an old-work box. If there really is conduit involved, I've got my doubt about how it got terminated in the back of that box like that.