o6blink Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 I have two outdoor lights wired to a single switch. I'm throwing this in so the dealer can program it - but need help with the wiring. The current switch has 2 black wires and the ground. I'm staring at 5 wires out of the KD120 scratching my head. I've looked at the spec sheet and I think I have it, but I figured I'd just check in here to be safe since you all are seasoned vets. See the attached image for the diagram of how it is wired - pretty simple. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 You need to hire an electrician. Seriously. One of those blacks is the hot from the panel, the other goes out to the fixture, you need to know (not guess) which is which, and you need to access neutrals and such in the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopedogg88 Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 shut off breaker. cut wires off of old switch. turn on breaker. use a tester to tell you which wire is the hot, and which is the load (hot will beep and flash, indicating 110v). connect hot wire to the black wire on the KD. connect green to bare copper. connect white to white neutral wire (probably stuffed in back of box), connect red to the switch leg (other black wire which isn't hot). don't connect yellow to anything, that is only for 3-ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopedogg88 Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 oh I forgot a step, shut off breaker again before you wire up the KD, then turn it back on to test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanE Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 You have a switch leg, possibly with no neutral in the box. While the KD-120 can be installed without a neutral, it's not recommended for 'modern' light loads (like LEDs, CFL, etc.), because they often will continue to glow when 'off', due to the necessary current to run the dimmer electronics. As mentioned above, if you don't know what a 'switch leg' is, and don't know what wire is what, I also recommend you get an electrician. RyanE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msgreenf Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 neutrals aren't bundled in back of box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o6blink Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 Thanks for the replies so far. I’ve hooked up outlets and receptacles many, many times. This one being in a 4 gang box is just more intimidating. Neutrals are all connected together inside the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanE Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 I think part of the reason you're getting a bit of pushback is that pretty much every dimmer uses the same colors: White: Neutral Black: Hot Red: Load Green: Ground Except, of course, the yellow, which you can (and should) ignore. If you have neutrals in the box, you should be good to go. Be careful, and good luck. RyanE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopedogg88 Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 Its the same as any other light switch really, except for the added neutral wire connection. I either just wire nut in the white wire from the KD into the existing Neutral bundle if it fits. Otherwise, you may need to add a jumper wire into that bundle and then wire the white wire to the jumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o6blink Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 Thanks all, I have it hooked up. Yes ran jumper because the neutral bundle was stuffed. Actually had copper showing so I split them off into two bundles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopedogg88 Posted July 16 Share Posted July 16 that should be fine as long as the bundles are tied together with a wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.