The white wire must also be connected to the smart switch, so that it too can have power. Whereas a basic light switch does not (it needs no power to toggle the black wire open or closed). But the only difference is that the smart switch itself also needs power to operate. Smart switches work exactly like the basic light switch – the black wire goes through the switch and is toggled on or off by the switch. Before getting starting with wiring, be sure to familiarize yourself with the introduction to wiring and basic (non-smart) switch wiring. This is the basic way that a switch works.Ī smart switch is a key element of a smart home. It usually passes through the switch junction box, and then connects directly to the light. So the white wire will not connect to the switch. The white wire (neutral) must connect to the light fixture to complete the circuit. So all you are doing when you flip the switch is toggling the connection of the black wire. And when the switch is off, the black wire is not connected. When the switch is on, the black wire is connected through the switch. For a device controlled by a switch, like a light fixture, the switch breaks the black (hot) wire. Basic Switch Wiring Diagramįigure 1 below shows the wiring diagram for a basic switch. These are usually carried in a single bundle of wires wrapped in a white sheathing, such as Romex. So if you look at anything that is powered in your home, like a plug, light, dishwasher, etc., they all have black and white wires running to them. The ground wire is important for proper grounding, but not relevant to how a switch works.Ī circuit is completed by the black wire carrying power to the device (like a light), and the white wire completing the circuit and returning to the circuit box. There is also a green wire for the ground. Home electrical wiring contains two wires – the black wire (hot) and the white wire (neutral). This knowledge will serve as a good base to build from for wiring a smart switch. Before we get into the details of smart switch wiring, let’s cover basic switch wiring for a regular (non-smart) switch.
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