How to install smart switches

I replaced some old dumb light switches with new smart light switches. 

Note 1:Before I go through the steps, here is a little bit of important information to know.  There may be several wires required to make the new switch connect - here is the definition of what you should see available in the housing for the switch.

Smart light Switch= In my case, this is a wall light switch that has a radio that can be connected ted to a Hub for remote control or for programming on/off/dimmer based upon triggers. The protocol of the radio is z-wave in my case.

Line= always hot wire - this is the source of current to the switch.

Load=wire that goes to light out the other side of the switch and is only hot when the switch is turned on.

Neutral =  White wire (in my house) that carries a current back to the source for the unbalanced portion of the load

Ground wire= the wire that grounds the circuit.

Note 2: I've only installed z-wave switches with a neutral wire.  If your house is older & you don't have a neutral wire this blog may not help you.  

Note 3: Make sure someone is around to check on you should something bad happen with electricity.  Know that these instructions apply to my residential wiring in the US.

Here are the steps I took in order.

Disclaimer: This blog entry is not intended to imply that these activities can be performed by unskilled professionals, instead it is simply a reporting of my findings when installing these switches. Consult an electrician for help. 

Step 1 - Turn the existing wall switch into the off position & use a voltage tester to see what wire has a live current.  The one that doesn't is the load.  I labeled to be sure I didn't confuse them.

Step 2- Turn off the power from the circuit breaker that controls that switch and make sure it is off. Double check with the voltage tester that the electricity is off.

Step 3 -Disconnect the old switch and connect the new switch - putting the wires in the appropriate connections securely.  Some switches have pigtails, but mine did not. 

Step 4 - Turn the power back on at the breaker and go test the switch works to control the light.  

Step 5 - Add the switch to your hub controller

DONE!