I've been looking at these "Smart" switches that connect to your WiFi network and can be controlled by software / Alexa etc. They are meant to replace the standard light switches in a building.
Almost all of them boldly state that a "neutral wire is required" in order for the switch to work properly. And apparently in older buildings, it was not normal to bring the neutral wire to each switch in the building. So here are my questions:
1) Why would neutral be required in the first place? I mean they have power from the main, so what could possibly exist in these circuits that they won't work without a neutral wire connected?
2) Couldn't earth ground be substituted in this case where a neutral wire does not exist?
Thank you,
Almost all of them boldly state that a "neutral wire is required" in order for the switch to work properly. And apparently in older buildings, it was not normal to bring the neutral wire to each switch in the building. So here are my questions:
1) Why would neutral be required in the first place? I mean they have power from the main, so what could possibly exist in these circuits that they won't work without a neutral wire connected?
2) Couldn't earth ground be substituted in this case where a neutral wire does not exist?
Thank you,
Comment