New GE Line of Z-Wave Switches/Recepticals (127XX Series)

[JDRoberts]

@wkm001

I’m trying to figure out if I can install a 12729 (3-way dimmer/toggle switch) and two 12728 (Add on toggle switches). I have three switches controlling one set of lights. I assume the first and last are 3-way switches, the one in the middle should be a 4-way. Will these replace those switches with current wiring?

No way to know until you open it up and look at the actual wiring. There are at least 5, and probably more like 8, different ways to wire a 3 way. It all depends on exactly what is where.

In particular, these models need a neutral wire.

Screw Terminal installation; requires wiring connections for Line (Hot), Load, Neutral and Ground. Traveler wire required for multi pole installation

See also:

Automated Switches: What should my wiring look like? (US Version)

So you want an automated hardwired light switch, but you’re not sure where to start. Well you’re in the right place. The most common requirement of any hardwired automated light switch is a neutral wire. Yes, there are a few…(read very, very, very few) switches that don’t require a neutral, but those will limit you to incandescent only. For those of us using LED, Fluorescent or some other energy efficient bulbs under 20w a neutral is REQUIRED! So what does this look like? [image] This is a diagram of a switch with the neutral run directly to the light. This is not good for automated hardwired light switchs and i would HIGHLY recommend that if you want to automate the light, contact an electrician and have them pull a neutral for you. It’s not as expensive as you think and will save you…