Smart homes comprised of smart switches or a smart switch typically don’t come with a neutral wire for smart homes. The neutral wire is not used with the smart switches in many cases. However, some smart switches do require a neutral wire and if this is the case then you have no choice but to add a neutral wire to the smart switch.
Smart switches can be turned on and off at any time remotely from an app. With a neutral wire on the smart switch, the circuit is always completed which can be easily turned on with the help of the voice or app.
There are various different ways to add a neutral wire to smart switches which we will discuss in this article.
Neutral wire
Typically wall switches are the kinds of smart switches that require a neutral wire for installation and functionality. A neutral wire is used to carry the current back to the power source to better control the voltage of the power coming into the switch.
A common neutral wire connection in a conventional switch box is shown in the figure below:
Fig: Typical Switch box connection
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.
A neutral wire is attached to the earth’s ground within an electrical system through a panel. The neutral wire provides a path to complete an electrical system.
Smart switches
Smart switches are the replacement for the old traditional switches which are used to improve the efficiency of different appliances or equipment attached to them through improving how the appliance is able to draw power. Smart switches are operated the same as the traditional switches but they can also be controlled with other smart applications and devices from your mobile phone, tablet, or other connected devices.
Remote controls, mobile applications and various other interfaces are used to control the smart switch from anywhere with ease. 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
Smart switches are used to control different appliances that are hardwired such as lights, fans, and many other household appliances.
Neutral Wire in Smart Switches
There are numerous manufactures of smart switches. Some manufacturer’s smart switches require a neutral wire for their operation and some manufacturer’s smart switches don’t require a neutral wire for their operation.
An example of a neutral wire connection with a smart switch is shown in the figure below.
Fig: Smart Switch Neutral Wire Connection
Checking a Switch Box for Neutral Wire
There are several ways to look for a neutral wire in a switch box. Our recommended way of looking for and identifying a neutral wire is outlined below:
- Look for the electrical distribution board, breaker panel, panel board, breaker box or the main electrical panel.
- Turn the main electrical feed of the switch that you are working on OFF.
- Remove the switch face plate.
- Remove the switches from the gang box (the interior box of the switch you are working on) and check for the wires at back.
- 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. The circuit breaker should be turned OFF before examining the switch box to prevent the risk of electric shock. The wires should not be touched by hand intentionally or unintentionally.
Need for Neutral Wire in Smart Switches
Unlike other regular switches in your home, smart switches are always on standby as they can be turned ON at any time remotely. 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. With the help of the neutral wire, the smart switch circuit is always completed which is then used to turn the appliance ON or OFF remotely.
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. So, the neutral wire is an essential part of a smart switch. There are different types of smart switches that don’t require a neutral wire which can be also used for the same purpose, but most of the smart switches available today require a neutral wire for their operation.
The smart switches that don’t require a neutral wire for their operation require a connection to a home hub. The smart home hub is essential in such smart switches to store their programming and send signals to them when their circuits are incomplete. The hub stores the login information and wireless network details in order to operate the smart switch remotely.
Typically micro-controllers are used to store information about the smart switch. Recently, different manufacturers have been replacing micro-controllers with home hubs in order to improve the reliability of the smart switch and not have them require a neutral wire for installation.
Adding a Neutral Wire
There are several ways to add a neutral wire for your smart switch. There is also the option to opt for a smart switch which doesn’t require a neutral wire as opposed to one that does. Below we will discuss the pros and cons of each type of smart switch as well as the various options for installation.
The first choice is to take a neutral wire from a switch box that already has a neutral wire and use it in the switch that you are installing your smart switch. There are several ways to extended an existing neutral wire from a different switch box in your house.
Unfortunately, this is not an easy task and we recommend that you have an electrician come to extend a neutral wire from one switch box to another in your home. The neutral wire should be extended from the switch box following the electrical system and wiring plan specific to your house in order to safely add a neutral wire to the smart switches.
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. Again we recommend you hire an electrician to add a neutral wire to the smart switch from a light fixture. The light fixture and the smart switch both can be also rewired in order to add a neutral wire in the system. Rewiring both wires is a complex and expensive so instead of rewiring both another option is to simply add a new neutral wire to just the switch box.
Some may say that you can use a ground wire as a neutral wire, however this is a common misconception and the connection of a ground wire as a neutral wire is not safe as per most states electrical codes and building codes. Neutral wires should be installed separately in switch boxes and there is no other wire or workaround that is safe. If no neutral wire is present it must be extended throughout the electrical system to the switch that you need it.
The next option is to use a smart switch that doesn’t require a neutral wire for its operation. Usually smart switches with dimmers do not require neutral wires and are a good choice if you do not have the proper wiring in your house. The dimmer functionality actually allows the power flow to be reduced in a similar way to a neutral wire reducing power from the light to the switch to a trickle.
Conclusion
Smart switches are used to replace the old conventional switches in order to automate appliances and increase electrical efficiency.
Smart switches are energy efficient and their automation level provides a higher comfort level when compared to conventional switches.
Most smart switches require a neutral wire for installation. Neutral wires are used to complete any circuit even when a switch is toggled off. 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. The second way is to add a new neutral wire to your house.
Services from a professional electrician are required in order to add a new neutral wire or to extend an existing one.
