Detailed Wiring Instructions for Insteon
Upgrading your home with Insteon starts with replacing your old switches and outlets. And if you’ve ever installed a switch before, you’ll be happy to know the process for installing Insteon devices is very similar. The following are the most notable differences:
A neutral wire is required – usually 2 or more white wires found in most homes built from the 1980’s. Learn more about neutral wires and how to check if you have them.
A ground wire is required – bare copper wire found in most switch boxes.
All switches in a 3-way or 4-way circuit would need to be replaced with Insteon switches or keypads.
For details on wiring up your Insteon switches, keypads and outlets, see the articles below.
Wiring One Switch
The following instructions cover installation of a single-pole installation (one switch wired to a fixture). If you are replacing two or more switches that control a fixture, follow the instructions for 3-way or other multi-way wiring.
Prepare Your Setup
Take advantage of daylight – you will need to disconnect power for installation, so we suggest doing the installation during the day to avoid having to work in the dark.
Get your tools ready
Screwdrivers:
Phillips head
Flathead
Voltage detector
Optional:
Wire strippers – in case you encounter wires that need pruning.
Painter's tape – you may wish to mask off the area below your switches, so your walls are kept clean.
Flashlight – your phone’s flashlight could do the job.
A friend or family member – it’s always good to have a helper.
Confirm compatible load
Refer to the product page or user guide included with your product.
Note: Insteon i3 Dial, i3 Paddle, and i3 Keypad are not designed to be wired to an outlet (i.e., half hot receptacle). Alternatively, Insteon On/Off Switch #2477S is rated for this type of application.
Remove Old Switch
Disconnect power at the breaker panel – confirm power is off at the switch by turning it on and off. The connected load should not turn on.
Remove old wall plate.
Remove the mounting screws and pull switch away from wall (leave wires connected for now).
Look in the junction box behind the switch to see if you have neutral wires. These are typically 2 or more white wires connected with a wire nut. Do you see them?
No: A neutral wire is required to use the Insteon switches. Learn more about neutral wires and how to check if you have them.
Yes: Great! Let’s keep going.
Remove the wires from the old switch – these wires are sometimes connected by screws or by wire nuts. If wires are pushed into the back of the switches, use wire cutters to remove.
Use wire strippers to straighten the ends if bent and ensure you have ½ inch of exposed copper wire.
Screw wire nuts over the wires using the wire nuts included with the new switch.
Turn on power to the switch at the breaker panel.
Back at the switch location, use a voltage detector to determine which of the wires is Line (powered) – use tape to mark wire as Line. Mark the other wire as Load (fixture).
Turn off power to the switch at the breaker panel.
Install New Switch
Connect the green ground wire from the new switch to the ground wires in the wall box. These are typically bundled in the back of the switch box and are bare copper wires.
Connect the white neutral wire on the new switch to the bundle of neutral wires.
Connect the red load wire on the new switch to the load wire.
Connect the black line wire on the new switch to the line wire.
Gently tug on the wires connected to wire nuts to make sure they are secure. Also make sure there is no exposed copper wire.
Tuck the wires back into the wall box and move the switch into position
Tighten the switch mounting screws and make sure it is properly aligned with the wall box or other switches if installed in a multi-switch box.
Return to your breaker panel and turn on the power.
Testing
Test that the switch is working properly.
For dimmers, if your bulbs dim and brighten without any issues, great! If your lights flicker or otherwise are not performing as expected, you have a few options:
Ensure your bulbs are dimmable. This is typically marked on the bulb itself, otherwise look for a make or model number and search online for information.
If you are installing the i3 Dial or i3 Keypad and the bulbs are not dimmable, you can change the switch to on/off mode until you replace the bulbs with dimmable ones. You’ll want to make the change to the switch in box 2. Here’s how to change modes.
If you are installing the i3 Paddle, and you’ve wired it to dimmable fixture, you can change the switch to dimming mode. You’ll want to make the change to the switch in box 2. Here’s how to change modes.
Install the Wall Plate
Insteon switches and outlets are designed to work with standard paddle-style wall plates.
Wiring with Multiple Switches Controlling the Same Fixture
If the switch you are replacing is part of a multi-way circuit (two or more switches controlling the same fixture), you’ll want to replace each switch with an Insteon switch or keypad. Wiring them requires a specific process be followed to set this up correctly.
Note: while we have done our best to cover most wiring configurations, there may be variations to your multi-way wiring. Please keep this in mind, and if there are any concerns, consult a qualified electrician.
Prepare Your Setup
Take advantage of daylight – you’ll need to disconnect power for installation, so we suggest doing the installation during the day to avoid having to work in the dark.
Get your tools ready
Screwdrivers:
Phillips head
Flathead
Voltage detector
Optional:
Wire strippers – in case you encounter wires that need pruning.
Painter's tape – you may wish to mask off the area below your switches, so your walls are kept clean.
Flashlight – your phone’s flashlight could do the job.
A friend or family member – it’s always good to have a helper.
Confirm compatible load
Refer to the product page or user guide included with your product.
Note: Insteon i3 Dial, i3 Paddle, and i3 Keypad are not designed to be wired to an outlet (i.e., half hot receptacle). Alternatively, Insteon On/Off Switch #2477S is rated for this type of application.
Remove Old Switches
Disconnect power at the breaker panel – confirm power is off at the switches by turning them on and off. The connected load should not turn on.
Remove old wall plates.
Remove the mounting screws and pull switches away from wall (leave wires connected for now).
Look in the junction box behind each of the switches to see if you have neutral wires. These are typically 2 or more white wires connected with a wire nut. In a multi-way circuit, the neutral wires may only be available in one location. Do you see them? a. No: A neutral wire is required. Learn more about neutral wires and how to check if you have them.
Yes: Great! Let’s keep going.
Inspect the screw terminals on the old switches. The screws that are the same color are “Traveler” wires. The third screw should be a different color.
6. Remove the Line/Load wire from the screw on both switches and place wire nuts over them. If wires are pushed into the back of the switches, use wire cutters to remove.
7. Use wire strippers to straighten the ends if bent and ensure you have ½ inch of exposed copper wire.
8. Screw wire nuts over the wires using the wire nuts included with the new switch.
9. Turn on power to the switch at the breaker panel.
10. Back at the switch locations, use a voltage detector to determine which of the two disconnected wires is Line (powered). Only one of the switch locations will have this powered wire – use tape to mark wire as Line. Going forward we will refer to this switch location as “Box 1” and the other switch location as “Box 2”.
11. In Box 2 use tape to mark the disconnected wire as Load.
12. Turn off power to the switches at the breaker panel.
Install New Switches
In Box 1
Disconnect the traveler wires and using a wire nut, twist them both together with the line wire – this will pass the power on to box 2.
Tip: if you only have neutral wires in one switch location, you can use one of the traveler wires to carry neutral from one box to the other. See the multi-way appendix for details.
Connect the green ground wire on the switch to the ground wires in the wall box. These are typically bundled in the back of the switch box and are bare copper wires.
Connect the white neutral wire on the switch to the bundle of neutral wires (or to the traveler wire if repurposed as a neutral wire).
Connect the black line wire on the switch to the line wire.
Place a wire nut over the red load wire on the switch – this will not be needed in this switch box.
Gently tug on the wires connected to wire nuts to make sure they are secure. Also make sure there is no exposed copper wire.
Tuck the wires back into the wall box and move the switch into position.
Tighten the switch mounting screws and make sure it is properly aligned with the wall box or other switches if installed in a multi-switch box.
In Box 2
Connect the green ground wire on the switch to the ground wires in the wall box.
Connect the white neutral wire on the switch to the bundle of neutral wires (or to the traveler wire if repurposed as a neutral wire).
Connect the red load wire on the switch to the load wire.
Connect the black line wire on the switch to the two traveler wires.
Gently tug on the wires connected to wire nuts to make sure they are secure. Also make sure there is no exposed copper wire.
Tuck the wires back into the wall box and move the switch into position.
Tighten the switch mounting screws and make sure it is properly aligned with the wall box or other switches if installed in a multi-switch box.
Return to your breaker panel and turn on the power.
Test Your Switch
Test that the switch is working properly.
For dimmers, if your bulbs dim and brighten without any issues, great! If your lights flicker or otherwise are not performing as expected, you have a few options:
Ensure your bulbs are dimmable. This is typically marked on the bulb itself, otherwise look for a make or model number and search online for information.
If you are installing the i3 Dial or i3 Keypad, and the bulbs are not dimmable, you can change the switch to on/off mode until you replace the bulbs with dimmable ones. You’ll want to make the change to the switch in box 2. Here’s how to change modes.
If you are installing the i3 Paddle, and you’ve wired it to dimmable fixture, you can change the switch to dimming mode. You’ll want to make the change to the switch in box 2. Here’s how to change modes.
Pairing Your Box 1 and Box 2 Switches
See programming 3-way circuit article for instructions on pairing your switches.
Multi-way Appendix
What to do if you only have a neutral wire available in one of the switch boxes in a multi-way circuit?
Neutral wires are typically 2 or more white wires connected with a wire nut in the back of a switch box. In some multi-way circuits, you may see this in one of your switch boxes but only a single white wire with a wire nut in the other switch box. Or you may find only one white wire with a wire nut in both locations. In either case, the white wire is likely the neutral wire. To make sure the wire is neutral, use a voltage detector between the white wire and the line/hot wire in the box. You should see 110-120V.
If you’ve determined that only one of your switch boxes has a neutral connection, don’t worry! You can re-purpose one of the traveler wires to help carry it over to the other switch box.
First follow the multi-way wiring instructions up until you’ve determined which of the switch boxes has the incoming hot/line wire.
With the power to the circuit off, at box 1 connect one of the traveler wires to the hot/line wire.
At box 2 remove the two traveler wires from the old switch and place a wire nut over each wire.
Return to your breaker panel and turn on the power.
At box 2 use a voltage detector to determine which of the two disconnected traveler wires is carrying the power from box 1. Use tape to mark this wire as line. The other traveler wire will now be considered available for carrying the neutral. Go ahead and mark that wire in both boxes as neutral.
Return to your breaker panel and turn off the power.
At whichever box has the neutral wire, go ahead and connect it to your available traveler wire.
Proceed with the instructions on installing the new switches starting at step 2.
Wiring Without a Fixture
There may be scenarios where you have a switch that either doesn’t control anything (fixture has been abandoned during a poorly planned remodel) or controls power to a wall outlet that you don’t use. Because of the ability to wirelessly link switches, you can reclaim these abandoned or unused wall switches by installing a Insteon switch and linking it to another Insteon switch or outlet in the room to create a virtual 3-way circuit or replace it with a keypad and control different lights throughout the home.
Remove Existing Switch
Disconnect power at the breaker panel.
Remove old wall plate.
Remove the mounting screws and pull switch away from wall (leave wires connected for now).
Look in the junction box behind the switch to see if you have neutral wires. These are typically 2 or more white wires connected with a wire nut. Do you see them?
No: A neutral wire is required. Learn more about neutral wires and how to check if you have them.
Yes: Great! Let’s keep going.
Remove the wires from the old switch – these wires are sometimes connected by screws or by wire nuts. If wires are pushed into the back of the switches, use wire cutters to remove.
Use wire strippers to straighten the ends if bent and ensure you have ½ inch of exposed copper wire.
Screw wire nuts over the wires using the wire nuts included with the new switch.
Turn on power to the switch at the breaker panel.
Back at the switch location, use a voltage detector to determine which of the wires is Line (powered) – use tape to mark wire as Line. Mark the other wire as Load (fixture).
Turn off power to the switch at the breaker panel.
Install New Switch
Connect the green ground wire on the switch to the ground wires in the wall box. These are typically bundled in the back of the switch box and are bare copper wires.
Connect the white neutral wire on the switch to the bundle of neutral wires.
Using a wire nut, cap the red load wire on the switch – this will not be used.
Take the line and load wires that are in the box and using a wire nut, tie them together with the line wire on the new switch.
Gently tug on the wires connected to wire nuts to make sure they are secure. Also make sure there is no exposed copper wire.
Tuck the wires back into the wall box and move the switch into position.
Tighten the switch mounting screws and make sure it is properly aligned with the wall box or other switches if installed next to other switches.
Wiring Your Outlet
Prepare Your Setup
Take advantage of daylight – you’ll need to disconnect power for installation, so we suggest doing the installation during the day to avoid having to work in the dark.
Get your tools ready
Screwdrivers:
Phillips head
Flathead
Voltage detector
Optional:
Wire strippers – in case you encounter wires that need pruning.
Painter's tape – you may wish to mask off the area below your switches, so your walls are kept clean.
Flashlight – your phone’s flashlight could do the job.
A friend or family member – it’s always good to have a helper.
Remove Old Outlet
Disconnect power at the breaker panel.
Using a voltage tester, make sure power is off at the outlet.
Remove outlet wall plate.
Remove the mounting screws and pull outlet away from wall.
Take note of the type of wiring you have at the outlet:
Two wires (one black, one white) + copper ground wire – this outlet is at the end of a run.
Four wires (two black, two white) + copper ground wire – this outlet is in the middle of a run and one of the black wires carries power downstream to another location. When wiring the new outlet, you’ll be twisting together the white wires with the white neutral wire on the outlet and the black wires together with the black line wire on the outlet.
You have either of the above (a or b) plus a red wire – this is a switched outlet. You’ll want to cap this wire off with a wire nut – it will not be used. If you do have a switch that controls the outlet, you’ll want to replace it with a Insteon switch and link them together. See article on pairing.
Note: if you only have black wires and no white wires, using a piece of tape mark the black wire that is connected to the silver terminal on your outlet. That will be your neutral wire. If you don’t have different colored screw terminals, you’ll want to remove the wires from the outlet and use a voltage meter to determine which of the two wires is hot/line.
Remove the wires from the old outlet – these wires are sometimes connected by screws or by wire nuts. If wires are pushed into the back of the outlet, use wire cutters to remove.
Use wire strippers to straighten the ends if bent and ensure you have ½ inch of exposed wire.
Install New Outlet
Connect the green ground wire on the outlet to the ground wires in the wall box.
Connect the white neutral wire on the outlet to the neutral wire(s).
Connect the black line wire on the outlet to the line wire(s).
Gently tug on the wire connections to make sure they are secure. Also make sure there is no exposed wire.
Tuck the wires back into the wall box and move the outlet into position.
Tighten the Outlet mounting screws and make sure it is properly aligned with the wall box.
Return to your breaker panel and turn on the power.
Test Your Outlet
If your outlet is powered on you will see green or red LED indicators on the front. Red indicates that the power to the outlet is off and green indicates power to the outlet is on.
Plug a lamp or appliance into the top or bottom the outlet. Make sure the switch on the lamp or appliance is in the on position. Tap the corresponding set button closest to the outlet to toggle power on/off.
Install the Wall Plate
Insteon switches and outlets are designed to work with standard paddle-style wall plates.
Neutral Wire Guide
What is a Neutral Wire?
A neutral wire is part of the electrical circuit in a home. Where current is brought to your switch and/or fixture on a hot or line wire, the neutral carries the current back to the source – completing the circuit.
A traditional mechanical switch simply interrupts the flow of current by making or breaking the circuit when you flip the switch with your finger. On the other hand, smart switches such as Insteon switches always need power so they can be operated remotely or automatically by a schedule. For this reason, the circuit must be made at all times at the switch and therefore a neutral wire is needed within the switch box.
How to Tell if I Have a Neutral Wire?
All houses have a neutral wire, so the better question is, "Do I have neutrals in my switch boxes?" To answer this question, here are some guidelines:
If your house was built anywhere from the mid-1980s onward, there’s a strong chance you’ll have neutrals throughout your home.
If you have an outlet on the wall near the switch, the switch box almost certainly contains a neutral.
If they are ganged switches, then there's a much higher likelihood of having neutral wires.
If you’re still in any element of doubt, it’s time for further investigation…
Checking The Switch Box
Before you check in your switch box for neutrals, observe all sensible safety precautions before touching any electrical wiring or consult an electrician for assistance.
Turn off the circuit breaker that feeds your wall switch.
Note: if it is a multi-gang switch box, it can have multiple circuits feeding the different switches so test the other switches to ensure power to their fixtures has been turned off.
Remove the trim plate covering the switch.
Take out the screws from the switch.
Pull the existing switch away from the wall so you can examine the wires.
Look for two or more white wires that are tied together with a wire nut. These are likely neutral wires.
To make sure the wires are neutral, use a voltage detector between the white wire and the line/hot wire in the box. You should see 110-120V.
What to do if you don’t have a neutral wire in your switch box?
If you don’t have a neutral wire at the switch box, call an electrician and have them run a neutral wire from the fixture to the switch box. This should be straightforward and simple task.