Smart Light Switch Neutral Wire - Do You Need One?

We teach you how to determine if you have a neutral wire and what smart light switches you can use with a neutral wire and smart light switches that work without a neutral. Most smart light switches but not all require a neutral wire in order to operate.

Neutral wires are typically white and most homes built after 1985 have a neutral wire in the switch box. Some homes before then can have them but it just depends on how your house was built. The video shows you how to check for a neutral wire and how you can install a smart light switch even if you don't have a neutral wire available.

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[iliescreciu]

Thank you for taking the time to make the video. I followed your instructions and was able to get the fan and light combo to have to separate switches, no more pulling on the switch cords.

[avenger]

Great video, having all three switches to show vs talking about them is above and beyond. Any DYI homeowner should be able to match, connect without issue. Thank You!

[StealthParrot]

This was very helpful, I have a smart switch that requires a neutral wire. My current box has the neutral wires tied together with a marette as shown and I wasn't sure about whether I needed to tap into the neutral. Thanks for this well explained instruction.

[htyyc]

Thank you for this video. Easy to understand and literally answered all the questions I had trying to figure out how to wire the neutral wire!

[aaronmathewson]

I like the video, it was well done. But you never answered the original question. Do you need a neutral wire? Or can the switches be used without one? Can you hook up a smart switch that has a neutral wire in a switch leg box that has no neutral because the neutral is being used as one of the switch legs in the box?

[TotallyNuss]

It would be helpful to do a video for adding a neutral wire instead of recommending the high cost Lutron switch which requires a hub as well. There are tons of other smart switches including the ones you've shown that need a neutral. I don't have neutral. Where's the video showing how to add one? Nobody seems to want to explain this. I need to add a neutral wire.

[jorgeroadtrips]

Thank you!!

I was able to connect a sensor that came with four wires, I was about to return them. Thanks to your video, my father can now walk around the house without bumping into the walls.

[ZLTCH]

Thank you man for the clear and no bs info and instructions. You saved me some cash from hiring a contractor. My new smart ceiling fan is huming along great! Thanks again!

[muxyxqn]

Do you have a video where you connect two switches controlling two different devices from one circuit

[vincedanner]

Holly crap, all this time I've thought I didn't have a neutral wire because it wasn't connected to the switches I've replaced. Never paying attention to those two wires connected together shoved behind as being the neutral I would connect to. Until I just saw them in your video. This opens up so many options for me. Fortunately, I love my no-neutral Casita system but now need to add a Caseta ELV which does need a neutral. Thanks for the video.

[jakeleibold]

In response to your comment, when using a switch loop the white wire in the romex is not designated as neutral. It is power carried away from the fixture to the switching device. I can assure you that myself and employees are licensed electricians. We work within the code and inspections. Many municipalities do not adopt the most recent codes. In fact, until last year the city we lived in was working off of NEC 2008. Therefore, it is not correct to say that every home built after 1995 would have a neutral present in the box. My intent was not to be argumentative, but simply to share what I run into every day working as a licensed electrical contractor.

[BimmerWon]

I very worried right now. I just installed a Kasa smart switch which requires a neutral wire. The switch is working now but idk if the neutral wire or ground wire possibly came out as I was jamming the switch in. It dims my old antique light but when I use the app to dim the lamp it makes a buzzing sound. I don’t hear a buzzing when using the switch without the light plugged in though. Could be unrelated but is there any way I can know if the neutral wire and ground wire are still connected without taking the switch back out?

[isabeaureyes]

Helpful video. I have Gosund and they required a neutral wire. Works almost the same

[leocatz]

We need to help James get a power screwdriver!

[blazayblazay]

I LIKE HOW HE GLOSSED OVER TURN THE POWER OFF

[desiv]

Good vid, thanx... I didn't want to go with a product that requires a bridge personally. Think I'd rather run new wires with a neutral, but that's a lot of work. Wondering about just going to Smart light bulbs instead.

[vjxpiroevo]

My new 2020 trailer home doesn't have neutral wire can't believe also have the most cheapest light switches

[abgmax]

This felt like Foodwishes, but for electricity.

Also great video thanks a lot!

[pauljohnlongua]

Nice Ad for Smart switches and your website. Nice setup with a light bulb and everything. Then all that happens is the removal of the face plate. No Smart switch was installed, let alone a finished working demo.

[maxrockbin]

GE sells a smart switch "3 wire" - hot, load, ground - that does not require a hub or a neutral. Costs a bit more - around $45.