I have a 3 way switch that looks like it's wired like the illustration below.
I would like to remove the switch shown on the left and replace the switch shown on the right with a Zwave switch that requires a neutral wire connection.
In my configuration, there is a second switch in the box on the left (which I am leaving alone) and 4 white wires which seem to be neutral, all connected with a wire nut.
There is also a second switch controlling a different load in the box on the right which is connected to a different breaker (and different breaker box) and which seems to be wired as shown in the photo below.
Ideally, I would like to also eliminate the second switch on the right and control that load using the same Zwave switch which will be placed in the box on the right. The big problem in all this seems to be that the box on the right does not have a neutral wire.
Can anyone think of a configuration that would allow:
- BEST CASE: Both loads to be controlled by my Zwave switch in the box
on the right. - PLAN B: Leaving the single pole switch and load alone
and only replacing the two three way switches with my Zwave switch in
the box on the right.
Any help is much appreciated.
Best Answer
If I understand your description, here is one way to alter your wiring:
Basically you use the existing white wires to extend the neutral node everywhere. Use the black wires to extend the unswitched hot all the way to the Zwave. Use the red wire in the third leg to bring the switched hot back to the first two lamps, which have their hot sides connected with the other black wire in the second leg.
For the last lamp on the right, disconnect it from its breaker supply and cap off the supply cable. Then re-use its former switch cable as a switched loop now powered from the Zwave. Check the total load on the breaker that supplies the box on the left, as you are adding one lamp to it.
As you see, you have more wires than you need. Cap all abandoned wires with small wire nuts. Don't just clip them short, I did that once and got a rocket from the inspector.
I have omitted the ground wires (the bare copper) but of course you will not.
Please allow me to express my extreme gratitude to you for providing me with the opportunity to draw yet another wiring diagram.