This is the second installment in the series on how to avoid disappointment with your INSTEON purchases. Contact us if you have any questions concerning INSTEON devices or if you have a tip that would help others.
Tip #4 What do you have in Common?
Depending on how it is wired, there may or may not be a Common or Neutral (white) wire present in every switch location in your home. Inspect the switch box where you plan to install the INSTEON Switch. If white wires are present (commonly connected together with a wire nut), choose a 3-wire switch. If no white wires are found, you have a choice; call an electrician to add the white wire or purchase a 2-wire switch. Usually, the latter is your best choice, but remember, the 2-wire SwitchLinc Dimmer is RF only, does not repeat INSTEON power line signals and is not suitable for multi-way circuits.
Tip #5 Which switch is which?
A large variety of INSTEON switches are available to accommodate a range of uses. To avoid disappointment and confusion, you would be well advised to become familiar with the different types of INSTEON switching devices and their application. Switches with 3-wires, (not including the bare copper ground wire) require a Neutral or Common switch box connection. Switches with 2 wires do not require a Common or Neutral wire connection.
Here is a partial list of INSTEON Switches and their application:
- 3-wire general purpose dimmer
- 3-wire general purpose On/Off Only
- 3-wire heavy duty dimmer (for high wattage loads)
- 2-wire general purpose dimmer (RF only, for use when a Neutral or Common wire is not available)
- 3-wire general purpose dimmer
- 3-wire general purpose On/Off Only
- 6 button dimmer (local load control plus 4 programmable buttons for controlling other devices)
- 6 button On/Off only (local load control plus 4 programmable buttons for controlling other devices)
- 8 button dimmer (local load control plus 7 programmable buttons for controlling other devices)
- 3-wire general purpose dimmer
- 3-wire general purpose On/Off Only
- 3-wire general purpose dimmer
- 3-wire general purpose On/Off Only
- Motor Control (for use with motorized shutters, blinds, screen)
- 3-wire general purpose dimmer
- 3-wire general purpose On/Off Only
- 4-wire On/Off
- 1 output / 1 input
- 4 outputs / 0 inputs
- 8 output irrigation controller
- 8 outputs(AC only) / 3 inputs
- 8 output / 7 input
Outlets (Decora style)
- Dimming
- On/Off only
Tip #6 Multi-way Switches
Another common point of confusion deals with INSTEON switches used in 3-way applications. INSTEON switches are not the same and are not wired like traditional 3-way or 4-way switches. This means that traditional multi-way switches cannot be used in conjunction with INSTEON switches, all switches in a given multi-way circuit must be INSTEON. However, this also means every INSTEON switch can potentially be used as a 3-way or 4-way switch. Traditional 3-way and 4-way switches require special wiring in the walls of your home and this wire can be reused for the new INSTEON switches. Since INSTEON switch emulate multi-way functionality through INSTEON communication links rather than the special wiring connections associated with traditional multi-way switches, an additional switch can be easily and inexpensively added at any location where power is available. This makes INSTEON switches perfect for adding multi-way switch locations were none existed before without the expense and inconvenience of rewiring your home.
