GE Jasco Switch

Getting ready to order a few of these. I know I will need the in wall dimmer for my lights. I will also need in wall fan control for my fans.

2 questions. What is the 1000W dimmer for? What is the ADD ON switch for?

The 1000 W dimmer can handle a larger load than the 600 W dimmer. It’s really that simple. :sunglasses: People most commonly run into this in kitchens where they may have banks of lights controlled by one switch because they may want to have the option for a very bright workspace.

The add on switches are used in a 3 way set up where two different switches control the same light fixture.
:level_slider: :bulb: :level_slider: For example, there might be one switch at the bottom of the stairs and another switch at the top of the stairs that control the same lights. Or one switch at each entrance to a large room. The master switch controls the current load to the fixture and the add on switches (also called auxiliaries or slaves, depending on the brand) just send an instruction to the master.

If you have a three-way set up, you need to make sure that the auxiliaries are the ones specifically designed to work with that master, as different models use different methods for doing this.

If you want speed control from the switch for your fans, you must get a switch specifically rated to control fans. You can’t use a dimmer light switch or you will burn out the fan motor.

This is super helpful. So another question regarding the 1000w switch. How many lights do I need to have on one bank before I use the 1000w switch? I have probably 8 lights in the kitchen so im sure that will need one. But if I have say a fixture in the dinning room that is one light fixture with 4 lights on it will I need the 1000w or will the regular work?

If I am getting a 1000W switch will the add on switch work with this?

When setting up the add on switch does it need to go in the place that is currently considered the add on of the regular switch or as long as one of the two termination points have a master switch?

you’ll need to determine the load on that switch based on the current draw of your bulbs. 60W incandescent obviously draw a lot more power than 9W LEDs.

Z-wave add on switches are wired slightly different than dumb 3-way switches. With the z-wave setup, the main goes in the box with your line in, the aux goes in the other. This is of course assuming your line comes into a switch box and not the fixture.

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Just something else to keep in mind. The power rating of the switch for LED is not the same for incandescent so read the spec of the switch.

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Read the spec on my current switches?

I thought that the GE/Jasco switches for 1000 watt only come in the NON-LED non-neutral version.

If there is a 1000 watt dimmer from GE that uses a neutral and handles LED let me know!

Thanks

Not sure. I just know when you go to Amazon for them it lists all of them on the same page so its hard to understand the difference.

@chowder007

Do you ever want to be able to use LED lights and control them with this new switch?

They are all recessed lights so probably not. Thats the reason I am having to go with the switch. I actually already have like 20 bulbs.

The other fixtures in the house such as fans and a few of the regular fixtures only accept the smaller lamp lights. So I cant use any of my bulbs on them either.

Good point!

In the GE brand, you’re right, the 1000W model is only intended for incandescent or halogens. Not LEDs or CFL’s. Leviton has a 1000 W switch that can handle LEDs, and I think Cooper does also, although the load ratings are lower for the LEDs than they are for incandescents so read the specs carefully.

The manufacturer of the GE brand switches is Jasco. They have a product website that has really nice easy to read in-depth details on each switch. I don’t recommend buying from their site, because you’ll find it cheaper elsewhere, but if you just want to look at the device details it’s very helpful.

http://www.ezzwave.com/z-wave-products/