The first way you can do it by getting the wire from the back of the light. As you know, the neutral wire is connected to the electric panel from the light. You can take the neutral wire from the back of the light and bring it back to the switch to join them. And that is how you will end up adding the wire to the light switch.
Do you need a neutral wire for a light switch?
You do not need a neutral wire for a light switch as it only requires one live wire plus one switched live wire plus one earth wire (CPC Conductor). In the UK we use the following wiring colours: Brown for Live (Phase), Blue for Neutral and Green and Yellow combined for Earth.
Do all smart light switches need a neutral wire?
The neutral wire allows the circuit to be completed and the switch to be powered on. This is true even when you have a smart light switch in the “off” position. The majority of smart light switches on the market do require a neutral wire, but there are some that don’t.
What to do if you dont have a neutral wire?
If you want to use smart switches and don't have a neutral wire in your switch box, you can hire an electrician to run a neutral wire between the light fixture and the switch. You can also have an electrician rewire the switch and light fixture, which is potentially more expensive.
What is substitute of neutral wire?
Use ground as a substitute for neutral
- gilamor. In many instances I see the ground and neutral connected together, or used as a substitute for one another at an outlet or a light.
- frank. The risks are dangerous in nature. ...
- brian john. ...
- ezoffshore. ...
- macmikeman. ...
- robertwilber. ...
- micromind. ...
- Joe Momma. ...
- brian john. ...
- Joe Momma
Do UK Light switches have neutral?
Traditionally in the UK, this is wired such that the live (brown) and neutral (blue) wires (old houses may have red and black cables respectively) from the main power source (the incoming power) go to the light fitting first, then the live is sent to the switch and finally the switched live (the live that is made and ...
What do I do if my light switch doesn't have a neutral wire?
If you want to use smart switches and don't have a neutral wire in your switch box, you can hire an electrician to run a neutral wire between the light fixture and the switch. You can also have an electrician rewire the switch and light fixture, which is potentially more expensive.
Do you need a neutral wire for a light switch?
In the case of smart light switches, they typically require a neutral wire because they need to be powered all the time. The neutral wire allows the circuit to be completed and the switch to be powered on. This is true even when you have a smart light switch in the “off” position.
What do you do with a neutral wire in a light switch?
1:407:58Smart Light Switch Neutral Wire - Do You Need One? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown here and we do have a neutral water we've got a white wire here. And this neutral wire thatMoreDown here and we do have a neutral water we've got a white wire here. And this neutral wire that means that we can use any of these three light switches any of these three smart light switches.
Can I add a neutral wire to my light switch?
0:3411:13Adding A Neutral Wire To A Light Switch - How To - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause typically it means you're gonna have to open up walls or that you're gonna have to run newMoreBecause typically it means you're gonna have to open up walls or that you're gonna have to run new wiring through conduit.
Can I use ground as neutral?
A ground is not a neutral period. The last thing you want is the chassis of your washer as a current carrying conductor. If your house has a bonded neutral and ground then it should be at only at one connector and that is your circuit breaker panel and nowhere else.
Do old houses have neutral wires?
Most homes built after the 1980s have a neutral wire throughout the space, case closed.
Is neutral wire necessary?
The presence of a neutral wire is not required (many computers do not have a neutral wire connection). Grounding problems only exist in computer installations when two separate pieces of grounded equipment are interconnected through data communication lines.
How do I know if my light switch has a neutral wire?
2:534:25How to Identify a Neutral Wire | Leviton - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe two wires controlling the load will help you determine if you have a neutral. If the controlMoreThe two wires controlling the load will help you determine if you have a neutral. If the control device that you are replacing is electronic. It may have a white lead connected to two with leads in
Does neutral go to switch?
The neutral wire is connected to ground at the breaker box, which is connected to physical ground nearby. If you switch the hot line and leave the neutral, then the whole device will be at neutral potential. That's OK. If you switch the neutral, then the whole device will be at hot potential.
What does the neutral wire do UK?
The blue wire is known as the neutral wire, and its job is to take electricity away from an appliance, and back to the power supply. The brown cable – known as the live wire – delivers electricity from the power supply to your appliance. Together, the neutral and live wires form a complete electric circuit.
Does my wall switch have a neutral wire?
Remove the wall plate of the existing switch by either snapping it off or unscrewing it. Unscrew the existing switch from the electrical box and slowly pull it out just enough to reveal the wires connected to it. If you see a white wire, or a group of them, then you have neutral wiring.
Why add a neutral wire to a switch?
Why You Should Add A Neutral Wire To An Existing Light Switch. A neutral wire is a wire that carries all the current back to the power source; it also allows the power to return back to its original source. Almost all of the wall switches and dimmers require a neutral wire in order to function properly, which is why you need to make sure ...
Do you need a neutral wire for a wall switch?
You don’t only need a neutral wire for dimming and all but also for smart lighting all around your house; There are a few switches constructed in ...
What Happens When You Add A Neutral Wire To Light Switch
Before you can jump onto learning how to add a neutral wire to an existing light switch, you will have to have an idea of what will happen once you do it. Usually, the neutral wire of the light circuit is not directly connected to the switch. The cable that is connected to the switch is known as the hot or black wire.
Learn: How To Add A Neutral Wire To An Existing Light Switch
Now that you know that what is going to happen when you add the neutral wire to the light switch, you can learn the actual process of the whole thing. But to understand the entire process, you will also need to understand all the connections of the circuit.
Should I Add Neutral Wire To The Light Switch?
It is not a good idea to add a neutral wire to the light switch. If anything, you can get a smart switch and do the same work. But if you do not have a smart switch but want the same thing, you will only have the option to install the neutral wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
The reason your light switch does not have a neutral wire is because of the grounding. Grounding refers to connecting a wire that can conduct electricity to earth ground, which can also be called earth or ground.
Final Thoughts
That was all from how to add a neutral wire to an existing light switch. We hope we have explained everything clearly to you, and now you will be able to install the neutral wire on your light switch without any problem.
Smouser New Member
I am looking to to install some smart light switches but the best ones with the most flexability requires a neutral wire at the light switch which I don't currently have.
nigel willson Screwfix Select
If the switch wire goes from a rose , then remove the t+ e switch wire, and replace with a bit of 3core + e. Jobs a Godunov!
JP. Screwfix Select
The geezers more then likely laughing if the wiring is done properly in conduit, and its not a bare cable sparmed over with bonding plaster lash up..Nigels way will then work like a breeze.
Sparkielev Screwfix Select
When you say 3core do you mean brown blue and earth ? This actually 2 core, if you have room you could tie some 3 core to your 2core and pull it up through conduit and use your spare core (grey) as the neutral
Smouser New Member
Tomorrow I will have a proper look and hopefully just run a neutral wire to the switches.
Pollowick Screwfix Select
I am looking to to install some smart light switches but the best ones with the most flexability requires a neutral wire at the light switch which I don't currently have.
Smouser New Member
WOWSER. I just want to make it clear I have not won the lotto nor inherited a ton of cash.
Why is a neutral wire important in smart switches?
For that reason, the neutral wire is important in smart switches. The neutral wire is used to complete the circuit even when the switch is in the OFF condition.
Why is a neutral wire important?
Importance of Neutral wire. A neutral wire is used to provide a return path to the earth ground. Some types of circuits will be incomplete without a neutral wire. If the neutral wire is disconnected from an electrical system then the flow of electricity is also stopped until the neutral wire is connected again.
Why do smart switches have a complete circuit?
Having a complete circuit at all times in a smart switch allows it to have power when off and thus enables remote operation of the switch. Neutral wires can be added two ways. One way is to extend a neutral wire from a previous switch box that already contains a neutral wire.
What does it mean when a switch is white?
Look for the white wire among the switch box wires, if you find a white wire that means the switch has a neutral wire hooked up to the electrical system of the house. Working with your houses electrical system is danger so make sure to take care and use proper protective equipment when examining the switch box.
What happens when a smart switch is turned off?
If there is no neutral wire in the switch then the circuit is only completed when the switch is turned ON and once the switch is turned OFF the circuit becomes incomplete.
What is smart switch?
Smart switches are a newer form of automation with better efficiency. Smart switches are used for various functionalities such as ease of control, better reliability, and decreased power consumption for appliances hooked up to them. A smart switch is shown in the figure below: Fig: Smart Switch.
Can you add a neutral wire to a smart switch?
Another option to add a neutral wire is to add a new neutral wire to the switch. The neutral wires and hot wires are insulated inside the walls in proper covering.
How to add a Neutral wire to your light switch?
To achieve this, you can extend a preinstalled neutral from an existing box or simply fix a new one to your home. The first method is more complicated than the second. Either way, you need a trained expert and some precautions.
Why do special switches need a neutral?
The reason is that they need to stay on every time. These switches are so named just because you crave the desire to control them at all times. To achieve this, you must have a neutral, which makes the circuit balanced and consequently gain access to the fittings remotely, even when it’s powered off.
What are the alternatives if you do not possess a Neutral?
There are three primary alternatives for people who wish to achieve a balanced current flow in this regard. You can have a wire fixed to your house to serve this purpose or use smart switches instead. The third option is to get special bulbs, which will save you stress and cost.
What is Neutral Wire?
A neutral wire is a piece used to complete the current flow; it is the material through which the primary current returns to its source. Just as transformers help us balance the power we receive from the main lines, think of a neutral wire as a way to balance the potential during current transmission.
How to check for a Neutral Wire?
You can check for a neutral piece using several methods. We shall explain in proper detail below. However, the most straightforward way is to open your panel and look for a white wire. There are certain precautions and guidelines you must follow during the check.
Conclusion
Special switches are gradually taking over the use of traditional models. Most of these new fittings need a neutral for a complete connection. Since most people desire a remote control of their fittings when powered off, there’s a need for a reliable voltage control method provided by a neutral.
sambartle
When I bought my house I had it completely rewired by an Electrician, and whilst doing that he re-wired all the lights.
sambartle
They work like normal switches as well as being wifi controllable.. so i could press the wall switch.. like i do now.
Risteard
I assumed so, but wasn't sure as shoving the single core stuff down the back of some plastic isn't that different from shoving it down some plastic conduit..
bernardgreen
It is necessary sometimes to do a reality check when modern technology is tempting one to automate their house.
sambartle
It is very different to having it in free air outside the conduit, however.
sambartle
It is necessary sometimes to do a reality check when modern technology is tempting one to automate their house.