timer switch with no neutral?

Question

I have an old house that does not have a neutral wire going through the switchbox for the porch light. I want to replace the existing switch with a timer switch. The new switch I bought requires connection to the white neutral wire and the wiring diagram indicates that the white wire be spliced and used to connect. Are there timers that do not require a neutral or an alternate way of wiring the new switch?

Answer 1

yes, I'm using the Intermatic ST01 in several similar situations. Its fully electronic and programmable. I don't believe it handles dawn/dusk commands though.

Answer 2

Timer Switch No Neutral

Answer 3

I got it to work. Hook the "timer's" Green wire (ground) and white wire (Neutral) to the grounding screw in the box. Then hook the "timer's" black wire to the hot wire, which in my case, was the white wire (in the box). Then the timer's red wire, to black wire in the box.

I am not an electrician, so I don't now if there are any repercussions from wiring like this. I just read a bunch of posts that said you need a neutral in the box. I wikipedia'd what a neutral is and it goes to the ground eventually.

Answer 4

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Not to Code, .... but it's done. Each circuit is only supposed to be connected to it's own neutral. They, (the neutrals), all tie together at the main panel. What you propose could interfere with a GFI of AFCI breaker or device.

Answer 5

There are timer switches that use a small battery to run the timer/switch, so they don't need a neutral.

Answer 6

No, you'll need to run new wring in order for a timer switch to work. My guess would be that the current switch only has a hot feed coming in and going out on the other side of the switch.

Answer 7

There are mechanical timer switches that did not require a neutral. IDK if they are still in production since the units I purchased were 20 years ago. Intermatic is the a common brand.