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Topic:
X10 switch that controls a fluorescent bulb without neutral wire
This thread has 4 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday January 31, 2008 at 15:30
ed3120
Lurking Member
Joined:
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January 2008
4
I want an X10 switch that controls a fluorescent bulb, but I don't have a neutral wire. What are my options? (Besides running a neutral wire or having an electrician do it.) Are there any X10 switches that will safely control a fluorescent bulb without the use of a neutral wire?
Post 2 made on Thursday January 31, 2008 at 20:37
James Paul Hartbarger
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2005
485
The x10 switches that work without a neutral wire pass a small current through the bulb at all times(they will specify a 40 watt bulb for example) so it is able to "look" for x10 signals in the ac current. You do not want to pass a small current through a fluorescent ballast system so my guess is you will need to add a neutral wire or change to an incandescent bulb.
Post 3 made on Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 19:09
AutomatedOutlet
Long Time Member
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November 2003
215
Yep, neutral is required.
Post 4 made on Monday February 22, 2010 at 16:58
Razorback
Lurking Member
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Posts:
February 2010
1
I know this is an old post, but the question still applies. I'm wondering if this would work:

With the power off at the breaker, cut the black and white wires from the ballast.
Put a female plug on "power in" side of the black and white wire cut.
Plug an X-10 appliance module into the new female plug.
Put a male plug on the black and white wires coming out of the ballast and plug it into the appliance module.
Can't you now control this fluorescent unit via X10 remote (if the wall switch is left turned on)?
Post 5 made on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 01:58
jazzman
Founding Member
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Posts:
December 2001
365
I am sorry I can't resist. Yeah that would work since there is a neutral at the load good thinking. Also for that tiny drain current required to listen to the line (x10 bus) you could stick a tiny inline milliampere fuse to the copper ground wire. That neutral doesn't carry any load current so the fuse is there just in case of a catastrophic failure of some sort. You always want a functional ground, not one that is inadvertently returning load current to the breaker box. Totally illegal btw.


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