Please observe all safety precautions before handling the electrical wiring in the switch boxes.
1. Turn off your breaker box
2. Take off the trim plate that sits over the switch
3. Remove the screws from the switch and pull out the existing switch to look at the wires
4. Take a photo of the current wiring configuration
When Brilliant is the only switch controlling the lights on a circuit, this is called a "single-pole" set up. First, start by identifying the wires:
- Neutral (N) - Generally white in color. If your house was built in the mid 1980s or later, there's an excellent chance that you have Neutrals everywhere in your home. One or more Neutral wire(s) may or may not be connected to your switch. Neutral wires are not used with a standard switch, although some electronic dimmers use them. If there is no Neutral wire connected to your switch, one or more will most likely be in the back of the box containing the switch. The Neutral wire may be part of a bundle, and is likely capped with a wire nut. If there is more than one Neutral wire, you should connect them all together with a wire nut, and then to Brilliant with a wire extension. If there is no Neutral wire, your circuit is not compatible with Brilliant.
- Ground (⏚) - Generally bare copper or green in color. Ground wires are used in nearly all circumstances. If you are in an older home, you may find switches without Ground wires. If this is the case, do not install Brilliant and consult an electrician to bring your home wiring up to code.
- Line and Load - Generally both black, or the Load wire may be red. The Load wire carries power from the switch to the light, and the Line wire carries power to the switch. Brilliant has the ability to auto-sense the Load and Line wires, so you do not need to identify which is which.
Once you have identified each wire, disconnect them from your existing switch and set your old switch aside.
Next, we will connect the wires to Brilliant.
Insert the wires from the wall into the terminal holes in the Base. You may need to straighten them out with pliers, or strip them 1/4" with a wire stripper to ensure there is no exposed wire. Attach the wires to the terminals by tightening the screws on the sides of the Base until they are secure.
- Connect the Neutral wire to one of the “N” holes on the Base. If there are multiple Neutral wires, see our article on wire nuts and wire extensions for how to connect them together.
- Connect the Ground wire to one of the “⏚” holes on the Base.
- Connect either the Load or Line wire to one of the “C” holes on the Base. It doesn’t matter whether you connect the Load or Line to the “C.”
- Connect the remaining Load or Line wire to the “L1” terminal.”
Double check your wiring before inserting the Base back into the box. With a single switch, nothing should be connected to the “L2” terminal.