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View Full Version : Leviton electronic timer, neutral required?


JDoubleU
Mar 17, 2007, 10:46 AM
I purchased a Leviton 6124H programmable timer to replace the switch in my garage which controls 2 outside lights for my driveway. The wiring diagram that comes with the switch is attached as a .bmp file (or it can be viewed online by looking at the instruction sheet at Site:  Product Details (http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?item=9447&section=17138&beginIndex=0):)

When I remove my original switch, all I have coming into the box is a single 14-2 wire (black, white, neutral), not two 14-2 cables as shown in the diagram. The white and black leads are connected directly to the switch, and ground is connected to the box. I'm assuming this means my switch is the last thing on the circuit...

Since the instructions and wiring diagram for the 6124H make it pretty clear neutral is required for connection, my questions are this. Can I bring in another 14-2 wire from an adjacent outlet where I'd connect only the neutral (white) wire using a pigtail, and then use that neutral within my switch box to wire up the 6124H? Is it even possible to use a 6124H when the switch is not in the "middle" of the circuit as shown in the wiring diagram?

Thanks in advance!

tkrussell
Mar 17, 2007, 12:41 PM
The unit needs a neutral , so your plan to run a new feed to it is a good idea, I suggest you continue to wire the circuit as the diagram shows, which will require you to do a little re-splicing at the light, but should be easy. The reason is that one wire of a cable should not be used leaving the other wire unused.