The Neutral Line Required For Smart Switches

Some homes don't have a neutral wire--especially houses built and wired before the 1960s.neutral line required This is a problem when installing smart switches, as they require a neutral line to function.

The neutral wire, or 'line' conductor, is an important part of any electrical circuit.neutral line required It carries current that isn't being used from one end of the circuit to the other, and back to the power supply. Without it, electricity could not flow continuously--it would only flow in loops. This is why it's vital that all electrical connections are made with the correct wire, so that the current can flow as it should.

When you crack open a light switch box, you'll see a bunch of different wires.neutral line required There's the black one (hot), the red ones, and a white or light gray one called the neutral. The neutral is the one that doesn't have any voltage on it, so it's safe to touch. The other two are not, and if you accidentally touch them while they have voltage, you'll get shocked. That's why you need to turn off the power at the breaker before you start working on a switch or outlet box.

Most homes have a neutral wire, but if you don't, it's possible that it was never installed or is no longer in use. This is a safety issue that needs to be corrected, as the neutral wire provides a path for current to return to its source if it becomes unbalanced between the other phase conductors. If this happens, it can damage equipment or cause fires.

In residential applications, the neutral wire is required by the National Electrical Code. It connects to the neutral bus bar and is not to be confused with the grounding conductor, which runs from an electrode driven into the earth. The grounding conductor does not carry current under normal circumstances, but it gives excess or dangerous electricity an escape route that prevents harm to people and devices.

The neutral line is also important for 3-phase commercial electrical systems. If it was not connected, the currents in each phase would be 180 degrees shifted from each other and the equipment in those systems wouldn't work as they should. This is a common reason that 3-phase systems have a third wire called the neutral.

It's also a good idea to run a neutral wire in any circuit that uses multiple switches or outlets. It's easy for electricity to build up on a single wire in a circuit that uses just one switch, and it can cause a dangerous short. By connecting the neutral wire to both the hot and the grounding wires, it helps to reduce this potential danger.

Some devices, like smart switches and dimmers, need a neutral to function properly. You'll know if this is the case for yours by checking its fine print or reading its product description. If it does need a neutral, you'll need to hire an electrician to run a new wire to the switch box for you. This is a simple process, but it does involve ripping out the old switch box and running some wires behind the wall.