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On 18 May 2006 15:25:32 -0700, wrote:

Hi all,

Sorry if this is really trivial, or has asked before, but I can't seem
to find an answer.

I just bought a new light switch for the laundry room in the basement.
It is a Leviton brand which has a bunch of buttons to give you a
predefined amount of "on" time for the light - i.e. you hit the "10"
button for 10 minutes of light.

The switch has 4 wires: Black, white, green, blue. The old basic
switch has 2 wires - black and white. The wiring diagram from Leviton
shows multiple wires coming in from the top and bottom of the switch
box, and how to wire things appropriately.

My old switch has only the two wires: black and a white.

I assume the new switch green goes to the grounding screw on the box.
I also assume the white should be joined to the white, and the black to
the black, each through Marrs connectors.

What do I do with the blue. I've tried a couple of things (joining it
in with the blacks) which powers the switch properly (it has LEDs that
show which timer setting is in use) but the light doesn't go on - which
is really the whole point of a switch....

What should I be doing?

TIA,

Dave

You're probably out of luck. Your new switch requires hot (black)
neutral (white), and ground (green) to operate. The power to the load
(Light) is supplied via the blue wire.

In your case, you are missing the neutral connection. The black wire
is the hot comming from the power source, and the white is not a
neutral, but instead carries the current to the light when the switch
is closed. This is allowed, and is common, but the white wire should
have had red tape on it to indicate it is a switched current carrying
conductor.

I don't believe there is any way to get your switch to work without
running additional wiring.

Sorry,

Paul

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