wiring of occupancy switch in 3-way situation (odd-looking instructions)
I'm looking to replace one of the two switches (wired in a standard 3-way configuration) which control an overhead light in a utility room, with an occupancy sensor switch. The room is small enough that the one sensor should provide adequate coverage.
I've purchased an Eaton Model #OS306U, and the wiring instructions look most peculiar to me. The switch has 3 wires, black, red, and blue (plus ground); I'd expect one of the wires to be the "common", and the switch makes a connection between common and either the red or the blue wire, much like a standard mechanical 3-way switch. But it's not wired like that at all. Here is an image from the instructions, for my scenario:
Neutral is wired as normal. The occupancy sensor turns the light on or off by making or breaking the connection between its black and red wires (and the black, being connected to hot, probably powers the logic as well). Meanwhile, the blue wire goes back to the other mechanical switch; this switch either leaves the blue wire open, or shorts it to ground. Apparently the mechanical switch needn't even be a 3-way switch, a single-pole one would be fine (despite the labeling in the drawing).
I can't quite figure out what's going on.
electrical lighting multiway-switch
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
add a comment |
I'm looking to replace one of the two switches (wired in a standard 3-way configuration) which control an overhead light in a utility room, with an occupancy sensor switch. The room is small enough that the one sensor should provide adequate coverage.
I've purchased an Eaton Model #OS306U, and the wiring instructions look most peculiar to me. The switch has 3 wires, black, red, and blue (plus ground); I'd expect one of the wires to be the "common", and the switch makes a connection between common and either the red or the blue wire, much like a standard mechanical 3-way switch. But it's not wired like that at all. Here is an image from the instructions, for my scenario:
Neutral is wired as normal. The occupancy sensor turns the light on or off by making or breaking the connection between its black and red wires (and the black, being connected to hot, probably powers the logic as well). Meanwhile, the blue wire goes back to the other mechanical switch; this switch either leaves the blue wire open, or shorts it to ground. Apparently the mechanical switch needn't even be a 3-way switch, a single-pole one would be fine (despite the labeling in the drawing).
I can't quite figure out what's going on.
electrical lighting multiway-switch
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
1
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago
add a comment |
I'm looking to replace one of the two switches (wired in a standard 3-way configuration) which control an overhead light in a utility room, with an occupancy sensor switch. The room is small enough that the one sensor should provide adequate coverage.
I've purchased an Eaton Model #OS306U, and the wiring instructions look most peculiar to me. The switch has 3 wires, black, red, and blue (plus ground); I'd expect one of the wires to be the "common", and the switch makes a connection between common and either the red or the blue wire, much like a standard mechanical 3-way switch. But it's not wired like that at all. Here is an image from the instructions, for my scenario:
Neutral is wired as normal. The occupancy sensor turns the light on or off by making or breaking the connection between its black and red wires (and the black, being connected to hot, probably powers the logic as well). Meanwhile, the blue wire goes back to the other mechanical switch; this switch either leaves the blue wire open, or shorts it to ground. Apparently the mechanical switch needn't even be a 3-way switch, a single-pole one would be fine (despite the labeling in the drawing).
I can't quite figure out what's going on.
electrical lighting multiway-switch
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
I'm looking to replace one of the two switches (wired in a standard 3-way configuration) which control an overhead light in a utility room, with an occupancy sensor switch. The room is small enough that the one sensor should provide adequate coverage.
I've purchased an Eaton Model #OS306U, and the wiring instructions look most peculiar to me. The switch has 3 wires, black, red, and blue (plus ground); I'd expect one of the wires to be the "common", and the switch makes a connection between common and either the red or the blue wire, much like a standard mechanical 3-way switch. But it's not wired like that at all. Here is an image from the instructions, for my scenario:
Neutral is wired as normal. The occupancy sensor turns the light on or off by making or breaking the connection between its black and red wires (and the black, being connected to hot, probably powers the logic as well). Meanwhile, the blue wire goes back to the other mechanical switch; this switch either leaves the blue wire open, or shorts it to ground. Apparently the mechanical switch needn't even be a 3-way switch, a single-pole one would be fine (despite the labeling in the drawing).
I can't quite figure out what's going on.
electrical lighting multiway-switch
electrical lighting multiway-switch
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
asked 4 hours ago
RustyShacklefordRustyShackleford
158313
158313
1
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago
1
1
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Yup, I agree with your read. That is exactly what's going on.
I am fairly impressed that UL even allowed this... I seem to recall seeing a bulletin from NFPA to the effect of "alright UL, it's time to stop approving things that use ground for more than ground". Although it may be still allowed since it is surely a millivolt current.
Regardless, it's rather ingenious. It liberates two wires completely, so for instance if the other switch is a remote spur, you can now use black and white for onward power.
Still won't let the put the sensor at the remote spur, that would require 4 wires (line, load, neutral and sense) plus ground.
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
add a comment |
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Yup, I agree with your read. That is exactly what's going on.
I am fairly impressed that UL even allowed this... I seem to recall seeing a bulletin from NFPA to the effect of "alright UL, it's time to stop approving things that use ground for more than ground". Although it may be still allowed since it is surely a millivolt current.
Regardless, it's rather ingenious. It liberates two wires completely, so for instance if the other switch is a remote spur, you can now use black and white for onward power.
Still won't let the put the sensor at the remote spur, that would require 4 wires (line, load, neutral and sense) plus ground.
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
add a comment |
Yup, I agree with your read. That is exactly what's going on.
I am fairly impressed that UL even allowed this... I seem to recall seeing a bulletin from NFPA to the effect of "alright UL, it's time to stop approving things that use ground for more than ground". Although it may be still allowed since it is surely a millivolt current.
Regardless, it's rather ingenious. It liberates two wires completely, so for instance if the other switch is a remote spur, you can now use black and white for onward power.
Still won't let the put the sensor at the remote spur, that would require 4 wires (line, load, neutral and sense) plus ground.
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
add a comment |
Yup, I agree with your read. That is exactly what's going on.
I am fairly impressed that UL even allowed this... I seem to recall seeing a bulletin from NFPA to the effect of "alright UL, it's time to stop approving things that use ground for more than ground". Although it may be still allowed since it is surely a millivolt current.
Regardless, it's rather ingenious. It liberates two wires completely, so for instance if the other switch is a remote spur, you can now use black and white for onward power.
Still won't let the put the sensor at the remote spur, that would require 4 wires (line, load, neutral and sense) plus ground.
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
Yup, I agree with your read. That is exactly what's going on.
I am fairly impressed that UL even allowed this... I seem to recall seeing a bulletin from NFPA to the effect of "alright UL, it's time to stop approving things that use ground for more than ground". Although it may be still allowed since it is surely a millivolt current.
Regardless, it's rather ingenious. It liberates two wires completely, so for instance if the other switch is a remote spur, you can now use black and white for onward power.
Still won't let the put the sensor at the remote spur, that would require 4 wires (line, load, neutral and sense) plus ground.
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
answered 3 hours ago
HarperHarper
69.5k346140
69.5k346140
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
But if you think about it, you wouldn't want things wired as a normal 3-way. Suppose you walk into the room and turn the light on with the mechanical switch; then once the sensor sees you, it turns the light off.
– RustyShackleford
4 hours ago
I actually laughed out loud. So true!
– Harper
4 hours ago
At my post, or my comment ? (Just trying to make you laugh again).
– RustyShackleford
3 hours ago
"sensor sees you and turns the light off"... I see so many attempts to combine different devices with little thought to how they'll interact, and that just sums it up!
– Harper
3 hours ago