Toggle Switches and Wiring

[Ian Johnson]

I am adding on to my home, and thought it would be a good time to begin
to implement some home automation. I have a few basic questions about
lighting and would appreciate pointers to some useful faqs or articles
for answers that are more involved.

First is, are ToggleLinc switches the only toggle style available? All
of my existing switches are toggles, I don't care for Decora, and I
doubt my wife would tolerate mixing styles.

I would like to avoid X-10 over powerline and use a wireless control
like Z-Wave, or RF receiving X10 switches but it seems like if I want a
toggle switch then the only options I have are what Smart Home offers.

The architect is getting ready to draw up the electrical plans. Is
there anything that should be configured or wired differently to
accommodate lighting control?

I can specify neutral wiring in the new construction, but the existing
house doesn't have it. Can I still have x10 capabilities in those old
switches? Would it be on/off only, Decora switches only?

Ian

[BruceR]

Make sure every switchbox has a neutral. Boxes without neutrals can
still support dimmers but not as reliably.

From:Ian Johnson
ijohnson2@earthlink.net

> I am adding on to my home, and thought it would be a good time to
> begin to implement some home automation. I have a few basic
> questions about lighting and would appreciate pointers to some useful
> faqs or articles for answers that are more involved.
>
> First is, are ToggleLinc switches the only toggle style available?
> All of my existing switches are toggles, I don't care for Decora, and
> I doubt my wife would tolerate mixing styles.
>
> I would like to avoid X-10 over powerline and use a wireless control
> like Z-Wave, or RF receiving X10 switches but it seems like if I want
> a toggle switch then the only options I have are what Smart Home
> offers.
>
> The architect is getting ready to draw up the electrical plans. Is
> there anything that should be configured or wired differently to
> accommodate lighting control?
>
> I can specify neutral wiring in the new construction, but the existing
> house doesn't have it. Can I still have x10 capabilities in those old
> switches? Would it be on/off only, Decora switches only?
>
> Ian