GE Appliances CSWDMBLBWF1 4-Wire Switches and Dimmers Installation Guide
- June 6, 2024
- GE Appliances
Table of Contents
- GE Appliances CSWDMBLBWF1 4-Wire Switches and Dimmers
- Simple DIY Setup
- Compatibility Requirements
- Let’s Do It
- You Got This
- Check For Compatible Wiring
- Identify The LINE And LOAD
- Identify And Label Wires
- Identify And Label Wires
- Install The Switches
- Check For Functionality
- Secure The Switch
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
GE Appliances CSWDMBLBWF1 4-Wire Switches and Dimmers
Simple DIY Setup
Compatibility Requirements
- Rating 120V AC 60Hz
- The neutral wire is required (Wire is usually white or grey)
- The ground wire is required (Wire is usually green, green with a yellow stripe or copper)
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHZ is required
- Works with halogen, incandescent, and LED bulbs, including C by GE Smart Bulbs.
- LED up to 1.25 amps
- Incandescent/halogen up to 5 amps
- Motor up to 1/4HP
IMPORTANT NOTE ON 3-WAY WIRING
Some lights have one wall switch, while others are controlled by two or more
wall switches (such as stair lights, which have a switch at both the top and
bottom of the stairs). If your lights have more than one switch (called a
3-way), we’ve created instructions for how to install and enable the
capability.
Visit cbyge.com/switch-support
for 3-way installation instructions and how-to-videos.
Let’s Do It
INCLUDED
YOU’LL NEED
You Got This
And we’re here to help. For in-depth instructional videos and a guided tour through the installation, go to cbyge.com/switch-support.
Turn Off The Power!
- Turn off the power for the switch located at the circuit breaker box.
- Remove wall plates and mounting screws for both switches you are replacing.
- Gently pull switches out from their boxes so wiring can be viewed.
- Test the wires with a voltage tester to ensure power is off. If multiple switches are in the same box, test them as well. Additional breakers may need to be turned off.
Check For Compatible Wiring
-
Do not disconnect any wires at this stage. We recommend taking a picture of your wiring before proceeding for future reference.
-
Wiring colors may vary. In this diagram, neutral is white, and ground is bare copper. The red and black wires connected to brass terminals
are traveler wires. The wires connected to the black (common) terminals are the line and load (we’ll identify which one is which in STEP 4). -
Both the neutral and ground wires are required for the C by GE Smart Switch.
-
If neutral wires are only in one switch location, the traveler wire will be used to carry the neutral to the other switch (this will be explained on STEP 7.B).
-
If all necessary wiring is present, you can proceed with the installation.
-
If installing a 4-way, check for compatible wiring on the 4-way switch.
Restore Power
Restore power to the switches at the circuit breaker box.
Identify The LINE And LOAD
- Make sure that the light is off. Then, check the black common terminals on both switches using a voltage tester. One of them should test positive for voltage, and the other one should not.
- The wire that has voltage = LINE
- The wire that doesn’t have voltage = LOAD
- The wire box that houses your line wire will be your line side box/switch while the box that houses your load wire will be your load side box/switch.
- If you are installing a 4-way/multi-way setup, the 4-way switch will have
- black screws and 2 copper-colored screws.
Turn Off The Power!
Turn off the power for the switch location at the circuit breaker box.
Identify And Label Wires
Before disconnecting the wires from the switch, label each wire with the provided labels.
Line
Based on STEP 4, label the LINE wire that did test positive for voltage.
Load
Based on STEP 4, label the LOAD wire that did not test positive for
voltage.
Neutral
Standard switches do not require them, but the neutral wires will be
present in the box. Look for two or more wires (usually white) not connected
to the switch and grouped together with a wire nut. In the event that only one
switch box has a neutral, use STEP 7.B for additional wiring instructions.
Ground
These are usually a group of bare copper or green wires that are sometimes
connected to the green ground terminal of the original switch. If not
connected to the original switch, they should be in the back of the box.
Travelers
The traveler wires are connected to the brass screws on the original
switches. These wires are in the same sheathed cable and should be different
colors that can vary between black, white, or red. One of these wires will be
used to provide power to the C by GE Smart Switch on the load side of the
circuit. If only one box has a neutral wire, the second traveler will be used
as well. Follow instructions shown on STEP 7.B for this situation.
NOTE: If you’re installing a 4-way switch, the travelers will be connected to
the copper-colored and black screws.
Identify And Label Wires
3-Way Install
4-Way/Multi-Way Install
Install The Switches
- Now that you have successfully identified and labeled each wire, you can disconnect the wires and remove the original switches. Installing Switches Where Neutral Wires Exist in Both Boxes
- Line Side
- Connect the LINE wire and one of the TRAVELER wires from the wall to the black LINE wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect all NEUTRAL wires from the wall to the white NEUTRAL wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the red LOAD wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the GROUND wire from the wall to the green GROUND wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the second TRAVELER wire from the wall. This wire is not needed.
Load Side
- Connect the TRAVELER connected to the black LINE wire in the first box to the black LINE wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect all NEUTRAL wires from the wall to the white NEUTRAL wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the LOAD wire from the wall to the red LOAD wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the GROUND wire from the wall to the green GROUND wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the second TRAVELER wire from the wall. This wire is not needed.
If installing a 4-way/Multi-Way setup: 4-Way Switch
- Connect the GROUND wire from the wall to the green GROUND wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the red LOAD wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the NEUTRAL wires that are associated with that circuit/switch group from the wall to the white NEUTRAL wire on the C by GE Smart Switch. IMPORTANT: If unsure which NEUTRAL wire is in which circuit/switch group, contact C by GE customer support or a certified electrician.
- Connect the two red TRAVELER wires to the black LINE wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the two black TRAVELER wires from the wall. These wires are not needed.
Connect Additional Traveler Wire (Neutral Wires Exist in Only One Box)
Line Side
The NEUTRAL wires should be in this location. Add the second TRAVELER wire from the wall to all NEUTRAL wires.
Load Side
Connect the second TRAVELER wire to the white NEUTRAL wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
If installing a 4-way/Multi-Way setup: 4-Way Switch
- Connect the GROUND wire from the wall to the green GROUND wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Cap the red LOAD wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the two black TRAVELER wires to the white NEUTRAL wire on the C by GE Smart Switch.
- Connect the two red TRAVELER wires in the wall to the black LINE wire the C by GE Smart Switch.
Check For Functionality
IMPORTANT: Only the load switch will turn the light on/off until the two smart switches are linked in the C by GE app. The dimmer buttons will not work on either switch until the two smart switches are linked in the C by GE app. We will handle the app setup in STEP 12.
- Restore power to the switches at the circuit breaker box.
- The light ring on both switches will flash blue indicating the switches are wired correctly. If you see this, proceed to STEP 9.
- Light ring may not illuminate if wired incorrectly.
- The light ring will flash red if the circuit is overloaded. Max load rating is 150W for LED and 450W for incandescent/halogen.
- If lights don’t turn on:
- Check that the air gap on the bottom of switch is fully inserted (dimmer/motion switches only).
- Check that power to the switch is back on at the breaker.
- Turn power off at the breaker, return to the switch to confirm the wires are securely and properly wired according to the installation guide.
Turn Off The Power!
Turn off the power for the switch location at the circuit breaker box.
Secure The Switch
- Neatly push the wires back into the boxes.
- Using the screws provided, secure the switch to the wall until level and flush.
- Using the screws provided, secure the face plate bracket.
- Snap the face plate cover onto the bracket.
Restore Power
Restore power to the switches at the circuit breaker box.
Enable 3-Way/Multi-Way Control in The C by GE App
NOTE: Only the Load switch will turn the light on/off until the smart switches are linked in the C by GE app. Dimmer mode can be enabled during the setup.
- Download the C by GE app.
- Add switches to the same location in the C by GE app.
- The light ring for each switch should change from flashing blue to solid white.
- Create a ROOM in the C by GE app.
- Add switches to that ROOM.
- Test that your 3-Way/Multi-Way switches operate correctly.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>