Ok, well this is interesting. Based on some experiences Ive seen by Googling, I decided to move the plastic box behind the switches out of the way and low and behold i found a group of white wires behind it twisted together and crimped. I was hoping that this was my neutral/s.
What is odd is there are 3 behind this single switch. One coming from a hole in the upper left of the box and the others on the top right and bottom right of the box (toward the next series of switches, 3 bunched together).
Behind the box with the 3 switches, there is a group of white wires there too - 5 of them twisted/crimped together.
In the end, trying to use one of these had no effect, so Im not sure what they are. As my posts have proven I have little to no electrical knowledge at all.
On the note of the screw in modules, I believe you are talking about the ones that attach to the actual bulb? I had looked into those and I felt like they would make some bulbs, like the ones for my recessed lighting, stick out too far.
My neutrals were twisted together too…but only one of them was the actual neutral which fed the other lines. It took me hours to figure out why the heck half the lights in my house went out when I untwisted them thinking each one was a hot neutral.
I guess I should clarify. I untwisted the group of wires, added another wire to the group and twisted them back together and added that wire to the 45609. So in theory, unless Im missing the basics again, that should tap into the neutrals and allow the current to carry across them still.
When I turn the breaker back on, all the lights work except the one I am working on come back on. If I untwist the group and leave them like that, then yes all of the lights will not come back on with the breaker so I see what you mean.
I guess I could test each neutral one at a time but I figured what I tried would work.
That’s odd… Have you tried a different switch? I blew one once by doing something foolish…Also, make sure you have your Line and Load wires in the right place, I mixed those up once too…
Ok, took a break for a big and came back. I refit the neutral wire under the twist cap behind the 3 switches (extra tight) and it started working. So the wires must not have been twisting correctly.
On the single switch to the left however, the one I mentioned here:
“What is odd is there are 3 behind this single switch. One coming from a hole in the upper left of the box and the others on the top right and bottom right of the box (toward the next series of switches, 3 bunched together).”
I have switched to a new wire, refit the neutral wires about 10 times, switched to a different switch, etc. Still not working on this one and not sure why. This one is different from the others, has 2 black wires on the top and 1 black on the bottom. Im guessing that means its feeding to another location. If I put the regular switch back on (minus neutral of course) it flips on fine. So this one has me lost.
I know you want to do this yourself and all, but given that you are kind of messing with something that has the potential to burn your house down and all, and you’re not feeling super confident…
it might be time to consult with an actual electrician.