A few years ago I purchased a timer switch with the intention of installing it to operate my front porch light. I wasn't aware that these switches require a neutral wire in order to operate. My front porch light wiring lacks a neutral wire and rewiring is no easy task at this location.
This is a relatively expensive switch and whilst I procrastinated on the rewiring project, the return window closed and the switch sat on a shelf for the past couple of years.
A few days ago I decided to install it for use with a back door light that is usually operated with a regular decora switch. I knew that this wiring had a neutral wire.
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Econoswitch-RPLS740B-Programmable-Switch/dp/B004AP92N2/?th=1
Replacement
The replacement is pretty straight forward
- Remove faceplate and remove the old switch, and disconnect existing wiring
- Match the wires on the timer switch and use wire nuts or connectors to secure connections
- The timer requires an additional neutral wire but no ground.
- In my case, a pigtail was necessary to connect some of the wiring in the outlet box
- Attach the new timer to the outlet box and replace face plate
Caveats
There were some caveats in my case
- Stiff 12ga wires
- The wiring was in an external wall, and the wiring wasn't as "supple" as it used to be. This happens to plastic over time. A pair of electrical pliers is useful in these situations to deal with twisting wires or attaching wires to outlets or push connectors
- Timer Switch Depth
- The timer switch is twice as deep as a regular switch, so it was important to ensure all the wiring was pushed back into the outlet box correctly.
- Partially exposed conductors
- When I pulled out the wires I noticed that some of the wiring was not pushed all the way into the push connectors. This had to be corrected, and for extra measure I added some electrical tape
- Painter's tape
- This wasn't removed when the outlet box was originally installed and had to be cleaned up
