I have 12 recessed lights separated into 2 sections, of 6 each currently connected to 2 dimmers. I want to replace the current dimmers with smart dimmers by Leviton.
Here are the instructions and diagram from the manufacturer:
https://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/3e/3e474cd2-a567-4471-a400-3e21fd978b0b.pdf
Legend:
Black – Hot/Load (dimmer 1)
Red – Load (dimmer 2)
Blue – Neutral
Green – Ground
Smart Dimmer 1 works fine, smart dimmer 2 does not work at all, it doesn't power itself on, or switch/dim lights.
What am I doing wrong?
Best Answer
No, no, no! You have wired 1 cable ground to each device. You need to spiderweb the grounds! All grounds need to go to all other grounds. They should all be joined in a big red, tan or green wire nut.
If the box is metal, you need to tie to the metal box (99% of the time there is a hole threaded for a 10-32 screw, otherwise use a cable clamp or clip). You won't need grounds to the switches because they will ground through the normal mounting screws. (This only works for switches, not receptacles).
If the box is plastic, you need to pigtail a ground to each switch.
Neutrals are not grounds and you do not spiderweb neutrals. Especially here, you need to keep the neutrals separate.
Why won't it work? Because that is not a post-2011 switch loop with neutral. That is a retired 3-way switch run. I don't know what's at the other end, but most likely it can be arranged to be like a post-2011 switch loop with neutral. Find it (most likely at another switch box) and change it.
If you wanted to restore 3-way switch functionality also, that possible with smart switches.