The Many Uses for Pilot Light Switches
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How to Install a Pilot Light Switch to be used for Several Applications © By: Dave Rongey |
How to Install a Pilot Light Switch
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I am trying to replace a standard light switch with one that has a light on it that will be on when the light’s are on. The problem I am having is when the lights are off the indicator light is on. I am not sure if the fact that it is the garage lights I am trying to hook the switch into is operated by two switches, has any effect on it our not. I can get the switch to work correctly but I don’t have power to the light’s then.
This electrical question came from: Gary, a Homeowner from Buffalo, MN.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Gary.
Installing a Pilot Light Switch for Several Applications
Wiring a Pilot Light Switch
- Gary, it sounds like you have installed a lighted switch which has the feature of illuminating when the light is off so that it may be easier to find when it is dark. This is like a night-light feature.
- What may work best for you is to install a switch that has a pilot light feature which will do just as you are describing where the light is on when the switch is on.
Pilot Light Switch Applications
- I have one of these pilot light switches wired to control my air compressor which is located in another location. This way I have the ability to turn off the power to the air compressor when I am away for an extended period of time.
- These pilot light switches are also installed to control walk-in refrigerators and freezers. The pilot light switches are a great way to know if the power is on to a device that is not visible.
RESOURCES
[ad#block2]Light Switch Wiring
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
For more information about Light Switch Wiring:
Fully explained pictures and wiring diagrams about wiring light switches describing the most common switches starting with photo diagram 1.
This link is helpful as a Homeowner
Do-It-Yourself Electrical
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Hi Greg,
The dimmer that you have described I believe is actually DVELV-300P, which does require connections to the power source including the neutral and the ground. I doubt that this dimmer uses return current. Older technologies of many dimmer switches that did not require a neutral wire did use feed back current which at the time was made available through the filament of the standard incandescent light bulb. In fact, the earlier occupancy sensor switches did require this type of connection through the filament, and if a CFL type lamp was used in the light fixture in place of an incandescent lamp you would notice the CFL lamp flicker when the occupancy switch had turned off the light.
I hope this helps you with your project,
Dave
My question is on electronic low voltage dimmers. These dimmers have a back light in the switch and require a neutral for the microprocessor inside. Do you think these switches use leakage current through the circuit or use the attached neutral wire for the return current path of the back light. I am powering a low voltage led transformer and can’t have any leakage current. The specific part # is a Lutron dvelp-300p-wh.
Thanks for any input.