SwitchLinc Dimmer 1000W User’s Guide
Page 9 of 36
Using SwitchLinc Dimmers in Virtual Multi-Way Circuits
In a
virtual
multi-way circuit, only one SwitchLinc Dimmer, called the
SwitchLinc Primary
, actually controls
the LOAD in the multi-way circuit. Any additional SwitchLinc Dimmers, called
SwitchLinc Secondaries
,
are not connected to the LOAD, but only to the powerline (by being wired to the LINE and NEUTRAL). All
of the SwitchLinc Dimmers can communicate with one another using INSTEON networking on the
powerline. After wiring in the SwitchLinc Dimmers, you create the virtual multi-way circuit by setting up all
of the SwitchLinc Dimmers to control each other (see
HOW TO SET UP SWITCHLINC DIMMER TO
REMOTELY CONTROL AN INSTEON DEVICE
, below).
The diagram below shows how you convert a wired-in three-way circuit into a virtual three-way circuit
using two SwitchLinc Dimmers. Step-by-step instructions for wiring in the SwitchLinc Dimmers are in the
next section.
Notice that one of the TRAVELER wires (number 1, the red one) is not used, so you will cap it off at both
ends with a wire nut.
The other TRAVELER (number 2, the black one) you will convert to a LINE wire. In the junction box
where the SwitchLinc Secondary is, connect TRAVELER 2 to the existing LINE and also to the
SwitchLinc Secondary’s LINE wire. In the other junction box at the other end, you will connect
TRAVELER 2 to the SwitchLinc Primary’s LINE wire.
The SwitchLinc Primary’s LOAD wire gets connected to the actual lights that are being controlled.
The LOAD wire for any SwitchLinc Secondaries that you will be installing will not be connected to
anything, so cap those LOAD wires off with a wire nut.
All SwitchLinc Dimmers, whether they are Primaries or Secondaries, must be connected to NEUTRAL
and to GROUND. Note that the switches you are replacing will not normally have a connection to
NEUTRAL. If there is no NEUTRAL wire in the junction box (SwitchLinc Dimmer
will not function
without
a neutral), please consult an electrician or call SmartLabs Tech Support, 800-762-7846.
NOTE
Wire colors
marked with a *
are the usual
colors and may
differ in some
homes.
LINE
Black*
NEUTRAL
White*
GROUND
Bare Copper
LINE
Black
NEUTRAL
White
LOAD
Red
LOAD
Red* or Blue*
GROUND
Bare Copper
LINE
Black
NEUTRAL
White
GROUND
Bare Copper
LOAD
Red
TRAVELER 1
Red* or Blue*
TRAVELER 2
Black*
SwitchLinc
Secondary
SwitchLinc
Primary
Light
Fixture(s)
Main Panel
120 VAC
