Learn about the wires in your switch box
Below are the wires used by the Treatlife products, as well as descriptions. Keep in mind, the Treatlife Lighting System uses wires that may not be connected to your existing light switch.
Warning:
If you have not installed light switches before or are not comfortable with line-voltage wiring, We strongly recommend you hire a professional electrician to install the switches.
Before starting, please always use the circuit breaker to turn off the power to the switch box. See here.
Note:
Wire color is no guarantee of how the wiring was installed in your house.
Referencing the terminals on your old switch is the preferred way of identifying the wires.
Neutral Wire
-The neutral wire provides power to the light switch, even when the lights are off. (A neutral wire does not control the lights.)
-The neutral wire may or may not have been connected to your previous switch.
-Neutral wires are typically white and may be found bundled inside the back of the switch box.
-If your house was built or remodeled after 2011, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires neutral wires.
-If your house was built or remodeled in the mid-80’s, it may have neutral wires.
-Also known as a return wire.
-A neutral wire is required to use Treatlife. If your house doesn't have a neutral wire, contact a local electrician.
-Warning: Never use a ground wire in place of a neutral wire.
Important: Some houses may not have a neutral wire available in every switch box.
Ground Wire
-A ground wire connects to a switch to safely carry additional electrical current away from the switch box to prevent dangerous electrical buildup or shock.
-It is usually attached to a green screw terminal on the existing light switch.
-It is usually green or bare copper without insulation.
-If your house was built or remodeled after 2011, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires ground wires.
-If your house was built or remodeled in the mid-80’s, it may have ground wires.
-A ground wire is required to use Treatlife. If your house doesn't have a ground wire, contact a local electrician.
Important: Some houses may not have a ground wire available in every switch box.
Line Wire
-The line wire connects your light switch to your house’s circuit breaker panel. -When the switch is “closed,” electricity flows through the line wire to your light switch.
-Your existing light switch should have been connected to the line wire.
-It is usually attached to a brass terminal on the previous switch.
-It is sometimes black or red.
-Also known as a hot or live wire.
Load Wire
-The load wire connects your light switch to your light fixture. When the switch is "closed", electricity flows from the light switch to your light fixture, turning on the light.
-Your existing switch should have been connected to the load wire.
-It is usually attached to a brass terminal on the previous switch.
-It is sometimes black or red.
-Also known as a hot, live or switch leg wire.
Traveler Wires
-The traveler wires connect all of the light switches in the multi-way circuit to each other, so that any of the switches can turn on, dim, or turn off the light.
-With a 3-way switch:
*Traveler wires are usually attached to terminals that are a different color from the common terminal.
-With a 4-way switch:
*You should see two sets of traveler wires attached to the previous switch, one pair designated as “IN” and the other pair as “OUT.”
-See here for installation instructions when using a Treatlife Switch in a multi-way circuit.
Warning:
If you have not installed light switches before or are not comfortable with line-voltage wiring, We strongly recommend you hire a professional electrician to install the switches.
Before starting, please always use the circuit breaker to turn off the power to the switch box. See here.
Note:
Wire color is no guarantee of how the wiring was installed in your house.
Referencing the terminals on your old switch is the preferred way of identifying the wires.
Neutral Wire
-The neutral wire provides power to the light switch, even when the lights are off. (A neutral wire does not control the lights.)
-The neutral wire may or may not have been connected to your previous switch.
-Neutral wires are typically white and may be found bundled inside the back of the switch box.
-If your house was built or remodeled after 2011, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires neutral wires.
-If your house was built or remodeled in the mid-80’s, it may have neutral wires.
-Also known as a return wire.
-A neutral wire is required to use Treatlife. If your house doesn't have a neutral wire, contact a local electrician.
-Warning: Never use a ground wire in place of a neutral wire.
Important: Some houses may not have a neutral wire available in every switch box.
Ground Wire
-A ground wire connects to a switch to safely carry additional electrical current away from the switch box to prevent dangerous electrical buildup or shock.
-It is usually attached to a green screw terminal on the existing light switch.
-It is usually green or bare copper without insulation.
-If your house was built or remodeled after 2011, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires ground wires.
-If your house was built or remodeled in the mid-80’s, it may have ground wires.
-A ground wire is required to use Treatlife. If your house doesn't have a ground wire, contact a local electrician.
Important: Some houses may not have a ground wire available in every switch box.
Line Wire
-The line wire connects your light switch to your house’s circuit breaker panel. -When the switch is “closed,” electricity flows through the line wire to your light switch.
-Your existing light switch should have been connected to the line wire.
-It is usually attached to a brass terminal on the previous switch.
-It is sometimes black or red.
-Also known as a hot or live wire.
Load Wire
-The load wire connects your light switch to your light fixture. When the switch is "closed", electricity flows from the light switch to your light fixture, turning on the light.
-Your existing switch should have been connected to the load wire.
-It is usually attached to a brass terminal on the previous switch.
-It is sometimes black or red.
-Also known as a hot, live or switch leg wire.
Traveler Wires
-The traveler wires connect all of the light switches in the multi-way circuit to each other, so that any of the switches can turn on, dim, or turn off the light.
-With a 3-way switch:
*Traveler wires are usually attached to terminals that are a different color from the common terminal.
-With a 4-way switch:
*You should see two sets of traveler wires attached to the previous switch, one pair designated as “IN” and the other pair as “OUT.”
-See here for installation instructions when using a Treatlife Switch in a multi-way circuit.