load lead vs hot lead on timer switch

Thread Starter

rwstern1

Joined Oct 19, 2015
5
I bought an in wall timer switch to control outside lights. The switch has a ground, a common, a hot and a load lead. My standard wall switch has only the black (hot) and white (common) wires. Can this timer switch be used on this circuit?
 

MikeML

Joined Oct 2, 2009
5,444
If you put in a country location when you registered, we wouldn't have to play twenty questions!

Is the box that it is going into metallic or plastic?
Is there a green wire in the box?
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
Are the outside lights low voltage?
If so it maybe the type that typically has a isolated supply and in that case low voltage can be ran without ground.
If mains powered then you should have a service ground that leaves the timer.
Max.
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

rwstern1

Joined Oct 19, 2015
5
If you put in a country location when you registered, we wouldn't have to play twenty questions!

Is the box that it is going into metallic or plastic?
Is there a green wire in the box?
It is a plastic box. No green wire, just the bare ground wire. It is installked in Florida, USA.
 

mcgyvr

Joined Oct 15, 2009
5,394
part number of timer?
Did you try reading the manual?
The only thing unclear is the function of the "load line" in the timer..
Which might be for devices that are downstream of the switch that you don't want on the timer or vice-versa.. Manual should call it out or have a diagram..
 

Thread Starter

rwstern1

Joined Oct 19, 2015
5
part number of timer?
Did you try reading the manual?
The only thing unclear is the function of the "load line" in the timer..
Which might be for devices that are downstream of the switch that you don't want on the timer or vice-versa.. Manual should call it out or have a diagram..
part number of timer?
Did you try reading the manual?
The only thing unclear is the function of the "load line" in the timer..
Which might be for devices that are downstream of the switch that you don't want on the timer or vice-versa.. Manual should call it out or have a diagram..
Utilitech, PN 0141224. Nothing in instructions. Notrhing downstream of the lights being switched.
 

MikeML

Joined Oct 2, 2009
5,444
Box-blk is power into the timer. The blk wire? that goes outside to the lights goes to the load terminal on the timer..
Box-wht is neutral, goes to com side of the timer and to the wht. wire to the outside lights.
Box-bare is ground, goes to gnd terminal on the timer and to the outside lights.
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
28,619
If you have no ground wire to feed the outside lights, or they are not fitted with a ground conductor, use a GFI socket for the timer.
Max.
 

Thread Starter

rwstern1

Joined Oct 19, 2015
5
Box-blk is power into the timer. The blk wire? that goes outside to the lights goes to the load terminal on the timer..
Box-wht is neutral, goes to com side of the timer and to the wht. wire to the outside lights.
Box-bare is ground, goes to gnd terminal on the timer and to the outside lights.
Thanks.
 
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