Could be a stupid question, I have a single switch in my home that controls my 2 different electrical outlets in the eves of my home for Christmas lights. I bought the Eaton RF9601DW z-wave plus wireless. My hope was I’d be able to control my Christmas lights from my SmartThings app. I can’t get the z wave switch to turn on even after testing power. Is this because the Eaton switch is meant to run a light and not run electrical outlets? What would be my best option to get a smart switch on this that would run my electrical outlets in the eves?

  • PuzzlingDad@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    In theory you should be able to control a switched 15A outlet. A couple things could be an issue.

    Perhaps the white wire is not an actual neutral but part of the switched hot. Can you confirm it is a neutral?

    Second given this is to an outdoor outlet it might be GFCI rated which may not work. Have you contacted Eaton for support?

    • Hydro130@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Your wiring is not correct. I don’t see a neutral in that box, so you can’t use that switch - it requires a neutral. You currently have the switch’s neutral & (what I presume to be) load hot pigtail connected to the load hot wire going upstream - that won’t work.

    • PuzzlingDad@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Can you explain the picture? What’s controlled by the left switch and the right switch? I’m not seeing an incoming neutral so I’m thinking these might just be switch legs. That would also explain the symptoms you are seeing.

  • velhaconta@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    It could be many things.

    Does the switch work locally? Can you hit the button on it and make it turn on?

    Are you sure the load is good? Have you tried it with another load or validated the load works without the switch?

    Did SmartThings find, recognize and add the switch?

    Is the switch still within range of your z-wave network?

    What would be my best option to get a smart switch on this that would run my electrical outlets in the eves?

    A smart switch is a good option since the outlets are already wired to the switch. It should work.

    The other option are smart outlet plugs. The problem is these can’t do anything if somebody turns of the switch.