SwitchLinc™ On/Off (Dual-Band) Owner's Manual

About SwitchLinc On/Off Dual-Band

Features and Benefits

• Controls virtually all load types
• Can be remotely controlled from any INSTEON controller
• 100-277VAC capable (can be used to control 277V commercial lighting circuits)
• 17A resistive capacity (100-277VAC)
• 1,800 Watt incandescent capacity (100-277VAC)
• 1 HP motor (at 120VAC only)
• 10A ballast (100-277VAC)
• 50/60 Hz electricity automatically detected
• Beeper and dual-color LED for easy setup and linking.
• Dimmable status LED acts as a nightlight when switch is off
• Responds to and sends X10 commands
• Wires in like a standard wall switch (neutral connection required)
• Supports SwitchLinc wireless 3-way and 4-way circuits
• Two-year warranty

Switch Diagram

The SwitchLinc features the following components:

• On LED: Indicates the switch is on.
• Off LED: Indicates the switch is off.
• Setup LED: Used for setup and linking procedures.
• Tap for On: The upper portion of the paddle to turn the load on.
• Tap for Off: The lower portion of the paddle to turn the load off.
• Set button (push): A physical button used for configuration.
• Air Gap (pull out): A physical mechanism to disconnect power to the device.

What's in the Box?

Cautions and Warnings

Read and understand these instructions before installing and retain them for future reference.

This product is intended for installation in accordance with the National Electric Code and local regulations in the United States or the Canadian Electrical Code and local regulations in Canada. Use indoors only. This product is not designed or approved for use on power lines other than single-phase voltages between 100V and 277V, 50/60Hz. Attempting to use this product on non-approved powerlines may have hazardous consequences.

Recommended installation practices:

• Use only indoors or in an outdoor-rated box.
• Be sure that you have turned off the circuit breaker or removed the fuse for the circuit into which you are installing this product. Installing this product with the power on will expose you to dangerous voltages.
• The wires connecting SwitchLinc to the incoming power must be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker of 20A or less.
• Connect using only copper or copper-clad wire.
• This product may feel warm during operation. The amount of heat generated is within approved limits and poses no hazards. To minimize heat buildup, ensure the area surrounding the rear of this product is as clear of clutter as possible.
• To reduce the risk of overheating and possible damage to other equipment, do not use this product to control loads in excess of the specified maximum(s) or install in locations with electricity specifications which are outside of the product's specifications. If this device supports dimming, please note that dimming an inductive load—such as a fan or transformer—could damage the dimmer, the load-bearing device or both. If the manufacturer of the load-bearing device does not recommend dimming, use a non-dimming INSTEON on/off switch. USER ASSUMES ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DIMMING AN INDUCTIVE LOAD.

Identifying the Electrical Wires in Your Home

• Line - usually black, may also be called Hot, Live or Power, carries 100-277VAC electricity into the wall box.
• Neutral - usually a white wire bundle, commonly daisy-chained from box to box.
• Load - usually black, from a separate cable jacket.
• Ground - Bare copper wire or metal fixture (if grounded).

If installing in a commercial application, please follow standard commercial wiring practices.

IMPORTANT!

• Each INSTEON product is assigned a unique INSTEON I.D., which is printed on the product's label. Please take note of each product's I.D. for future reference.
• If you have any difficulties or questions, consult an electrician. If you are not knowledgeable about or comfortable with electrical circuitry, have a qualified electrician install the product for you.

Tools Needed

• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire cutter/stripper
• Phillips screwdriver
• Voltage meter

Installation

Circuit with 1 Switch (a.k.a. 2-way circuit)

1. At the electrical panel, turn off the circuit breaker(s) and/or remove fuse(s) feeding the wall box. Verify that the power is off before continuing.
2. Remove the wallplate from the switch. Unscrew the switch and gently pull it out.
3. Disconnect wires from the switch.
4. Turn on power.
5. Use a voltage meter to identify the line and load wires connected to the switch.
6. Identify neutral and ground wires.
7. Turn off power.
8. Connect wires as per table/diagram (confirm firm attachments with no exposed wire).
9. With LEDs on the left, gently place SwitchLinc into the wall box and screw it into place.
10. Turn on power. The SwitchLinc and its connected load will turn on.
11. Verify SwitchLinc is working properly by tapping SwitchLinc on and off. The SwitchLinc and its connected load will turn on and off.
12. Reinstall the wallplate.

Wiring Diagram for 1-Switch Installation

Note: Home's wire colors may vary.

Connections:

• SwitchLinc Wire (Bare copper) connects to Wall Box Wire (Ground).
• SwitchLinc Wire (White) connects to Wall Box Wire (Neutral - commonly white).
• SwitchLinc Wire (Red) is typically capped or unused in a 1-switch setup.
• SwitchLinc Wire (Black) connects to Wall Box Wire (Load - connected to light).
• The incoming power source (Line - Black) connects to the SwitchLinc Black wire.

Circuit with 2 Switches (a.k.a. 3-way circuit)

Circuits with 2 switches are called 3-way circuits. Both switches in a 3-way circuit need to be replaced by SwitchLincs (and/or other INSTEON devices).

1. Turn off circuit breaker(s) and/or remove fuse(s) feeding the wall boxes (verify that power is off).
2. Pull both switches from their wall boxes (each switch will have no less than 3 wires).
3. Remove wires from existing switches.
4. Make sure wires are safely separated from each other and turn power back on.
5. Using a voltage meter, measure each wire to ground in both boxes until you find the single wire supplying 120V (line).
   • We will now refer to that location as Box 1.
   • The other box will have the load wire. That will be Box 2.
6. Turn power back off.

In Box 1 (Line box):

1. Connect bare SwitchLinc ground to bare ground wire or ground screw in the wall box.
2. Connect SwitchLinc white wire to neutral wire(s) in the wall box (usually white).
3. Using a wire nut, cap the SwitchLinc red wire.
4. Connect SwitchLinc black wire to the Line wire in the wall box (usually black) along with one traveler wire running between boxes (preferably black). Note the color of this traveler – it will carry 120V/line voltage to Box 2.
5. Cap the unused traveler wire.

In Box 2 (Load box):

1. Connect SwitchLinc bare wire to bare ground wire or ground screw in the wall box.
2. Connect SwitchLinc white wire to neutral wire(s) in the wall box (usually white).
3. Connect SwitchLinc red wire to the load wire.
4. Connect SwitchLinc black wire to the same color traveler from Box 1 carrying Line (usually black).
5. Cap the unused traveler wire.
6. With LEDs on the left, gently place SwitchLincs into their wall boxes and screw them in place.
7. Turn power back on. SwitchLincs and the connected load will turn on (only SwitchLinc in Box 2 will operate the load).
8. Add both SwitchLincs to a group. See “Groups” (Synchronizing Devices).
9. Verify both SwitchLincs are working properly by tapping on and off on each SwitchLinc. Both SwitchLincs and the connected load will remain in synch.
10. Reinstall wallplates.

Circuit with 3 (or more) Switches

Circuits with 3 or more switches are called 4-way (or 5-way, etc.). All switches in 3-way/4-way circuits need to be replaced by INSTEON devices.

1. Turn off circuit breaker(s) and/or remove fuse(s) feeding the wall boxes (verify that power is off).
2. Pull all three switches from their wall boxes (4-way (and higher) switches have 3 or 4 wires).
3. Remove wires from existing switches.
4. Make sure wires are safely separated from each other and turn power back on.
5. Using a voltage meter, measure each wire to ground in all three boxes until you find the single wire supplying 120V (line).
   • We will now refer to that location as Box 1.
   • The location having 2 sets of matching pairs of wires will be Box 2 (i.e., 2 reds and 2 blacks, or other matching colors). These are 2 travelers from Box 1 and 2 travelers leading to Box 3.
   • The last box will have the load wire. That will be Box 3.
6. Turn power back off.

In Box 1 (Line box):

1. Connect SwitchLinc bare wire to ground.
2. Connect SwitchLinc white wire to neutral.
3. Cap SwitchLinc red wire.
4. Connect SwitchLinc black wire to line plus one traveler (preferably black). Note the color of the traveler you are using, as this will carry line voltage to Box 2.
5. Cap unused traveler wire.

In Box 2 (Traveler box):

1. Connect SwitchLinc bare wire to ground.
2. Connect SwitchLinc white wire to neutral.
3. Cap SwitchLinc red wire.
4. Connect SwitchLinc black wire to the same color traveler from Box 1 that you connected to line, along with the same color traveler wires leading to Box 3.
5. Cap the last unused traveler wire(s).

In Box 3 (Load box):

1. Connect SwitchLinc bare wire to ground.
2. Connect SwitchLinc white wire to neutral.
3. Connect SwitchLinc red wire to the load.
4. Connect SwitchLinc black wire to the line traveler from Box 2 (line traveled from Box 1 through 2 into 3, usually black).
5. Cap unused traveler wire.
6. With LEDs on the left, gently place SwitchLincs into wall boxes and screw in place.
7. Turn power back on. SwitchLincs and connected load will turn on.
8. Add all SwitchLincs to a group. See “Groups” (Synchronizing Devices).
9. Verify all SwitchLincs are working properly by tapping each on and off. All SwitchLincs and the connected load will remain in synch.
10. Reinstall wallplates.

Using SwitchLinc

Local Control

Follow these instructions to control the connected light/load (as well as any responders) from the SwitchLinc paddle.

INSTEON Controllers, Responders and Links

Let's define a few terms:

• The device initiating an INSTEON message is called a controller.
• The device receiving the INSTEON message is called a responder.
• The association between the controller and responder is called a link.

Diagram: Controller --- Link ---> Responder

Please note that a link is one way. If you wish to have two-way control, simply repeat the link setup process from the responder to the controller. Most INSTEON devices can store hundreds of links, and each individual link can have its own properties (e.g., 50% brightness at a 4-second ramp rate). Furthermore, a controller can simultaneously control from one to hundreds of responders using groups and scenes.

Make SwitchLinc a Responder

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to control SwitchLinc from another INSTEON device.

1. Press and hold controller button until it beeps. The Controller LED will start blinking.
2. Tap SwitchLinc on (or off if desired for the link). The load will be on (or off).
3. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until it double-beeps. The Controller LED will stop blinking. The unit will double-beep.
4. Test by tapping the controller button on and off. SwitchLinc will respond appropriately.

Note: The link just created is one-way. See “Make SwitchLinc an INSTEON Controller” to add another link to create a two-way link and keep the two products in synch.

Make SwitchLinc a Controller

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to control an INSTEON device from SwitchLinc.

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc set button until it beeps. SwitchLinc LED will start blinking green.
2. Adjust the responder(s) to the state you want when the scene is activated from SwitchLinc (e.g., 50%, 25% or even off).
3. Press and hold responder Set button until it double-beeps (or until its LED flashes). SwitchLinc LED will stop blinking. The Responder LED will stop blinking and the unit will double-beep.
4. Test by tapping SwitchLinc paddle on and off. The Responder will toggle between the scene on-level and off.
5. If you wish to add another responder, repeat steps 1-5 (or see “Add Multiple Responders”).

Notes:

• The link just created is one-way. See “Make SwitchLinc an INSTEON Responder” to add another link to create a two-way link and keep the two products in synch.
• If you wish the SwitchLinc load to be off when the link is activated (such as for an “all-off” scene), turn off the load in step 2.

Groups (Synchronizing Devices)

Devices in a group share all the same settings (e.g., on-level, ramp rate). This keeps all group members synchronized. Every device in a group is both a controller of and responder to all the other devices. The most common example of a group is a 3-way lighting circuit with 2 switches, such as switches at either end of a hallway.

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to set up a 3-way circuit with two switches. For simplicity, we will assume that the desired group level is on.

Example: Set up a 3-way circuit with two switches, A and B

1. Turn A and B on.
2. Press and hold A set button until it beeps (or LED blinks). A's LED will start blinking green.
3. Press and hold B set button until it double-beeps (or LED flashes). B will double-beep. A will double-beep and its LED will stop blinking.
4. Press and hold B set button until it beeps (or LED blinks). B LED will start blinking green.
5. Press and hold A set button until it double-beeps (or LED flashes). A will double-beep. B will double-beep and its LED will stop blinking.
6. Test the group by controlling the Load from A and then B. The load, A's LED and B's LED will all remain in synch.

Scenes

INSTEON scenes allow a controller to simultaneously activate multiple responders at individual pre-programmed levels. Home automation software (such as HouseLinc) is helpful in setting up and maintaining scenes, especially larger ones. Configure scenes using software or follow the steps below.

Example: Create a scene with a single controller and SwitchLinc as a responder/member

1. Press and hold controller Set button until it beeps. Controller LED will start blinking.
2. Tap controller Set button. Controller will beep. Controller LED will double-blink.
3. Tap SwitchLinc on (or off if desired for the link). Load will be on (or off).
4. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until it double-beeps. Controller LED will continue blinking and unit will double-beep.
5. For each additional scene member:
   • Adjust device to desired scene state.
   • Press and hold its Set button.
6. Tap controller Set button. Controller LED will stop blinking.
7. Test by tapping controller button on and off. SwitchLinc and other scene responders will all respond appropriately.

Remove SwitchLinc as a Responder

If you no longer want a controller button to control SwitchLinc, configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to remove SwitchLinc's responder link.

Note: If you ever wish to uninstall SwitchLinc, it is important that you remove all SwitchLinc responder links. Otherwise, controllers will repetitively retry commands, creating network delays.

1. Press and hold controller Set button until beep. LED will start blinking.
2. Press and hold controller Set button until it beeps again. LED will continue blinking.
3. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until double-beep. Controller LED will stop blinking.
4. Test by tapping controller button on and off. SwitchLinc will no longer respond.

Remove SwitchLinc as a Controller

If you no longer want SwitchLinc to control another device (or are removing SwitchLinc from your INSTEON network), it is important that you remove the responder link from SwitchLinc. Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below for each responder.

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until beep. LED will start blinking green.
2. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until beep. LED will start blinking red.
3. Press and hold responder Set button until double-beep (or LED blinks). SwitchLinc will double-beep and its LED will stop blinking.
4. Test by tapping SwitchLinc on and off. Responder will not respond.

Make SwitchLinc a Controller of Multiple Responders

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to make SwitchLinc a controller of multiple responders.

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until it beeps. SwitchLinc LED will start blinking green.
2. Tap SwitchLinc Set button. SwitchLinc LED will double-blink green.
3. For each responder you are adding:
   • Tap on/off or press and hold to adjust responder to desired state.
   • Press and hold responder Set button until it beeps (or LED flashes). SwitchLinc will double-beep.
4. After all responders have been added, tap SwitchLinc Set button. SwitchLinc LED will stop blinking.
5. Test by tapping SwitchLinc on and off a couple of times. All the responders added will respond.

Remove SwitchLinc as a Controller of Multiple Responders

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to unlink multiple responders from SwitchLinc.

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until it beeps. SwitchLinc LED will start blinking green.
2. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button again until it beeps again. SwitchLinc LED will start blinking red.
3. Tap SwitchLinc Set button. SwitchLinc LED will double-blink red.
4. For each responder you are removing, press and hold responder Set button until unit beeps and/or LED flashes.
5. Tap SwitchLinc Set button. SwitchLinc LED will stop blinking.
6. Test by tapping controller button a couple of times. All responders removed will not respond.

Setup Details

Change LED Brightness

Configure using home automation software (such as HouseLinc) or follow the steps below to change the brightness level of SwitchLinc's LED.

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until it beeps. LED will start blinking green.
2. Press and hold Set button until it beeps again. SwitchLinc LED will start blinking red.
3. Press and hold Set button until it beeps a third time. SwitchLinc LED will stop blinking and turn off. SwitchLinc LED will illuminate at current LED brightness level.
4. Use SwitchLinc paddle to adjust LED brightness:
   • Press and hold paddle top to brighten.
   • Press and hold paddle bottom to dim (fully off for dimmest).
5. Once you have reached the desired brightness for the LED, tap Set button. SwitchLinc LED will remain at new desired brightness. SwitchLinc will double-beep.

Error Blink

This setting is only adjustable via software (such as HouseLinc). SwitchLinc LED will blink red for a few seconds if one or more responders do not acknowledge a message.

Beep on Button Press

Default = off. This setting is adjustable via software or a central controller only.

Blink on Traffic

This setting is only adjustable via software (such as HouseLinc). SwitchLinc LED will blink red to indicate noise on the powerline.

Factory Reset

Factory Reset clears all user settings from SwitchLinc including INSTEON scenes, X10 addresses, etc.

1. Pull out Set button to create an air gap. See Air Gap (Removing Power).
2. Wait 10 seconds.
3. Press and hold the Set button. SwitchLinc will begin to emit a long beep.
4. Do not release Set button until beeping stops.
5. Release Set button.

After a few seconds, SwitchLinc will double-beep. The load/light(s) will turn on. LED will return to default brightness.

Phase Detect Beacon

SwitchLinc On/Off Switch Dual-Band automatically detects the electrical phases in your home (via communications with other dual-band devices on the other phase). This is only important if you have powerline-only products in a building with multiple phases (split-single or 3-phase).

1. Tap Set button 4 times quickly. SwitchLinc will start beeping once per second. LED will turn green.
2. Check the LED behavior of other dual-band devices:
   • If the other dual-band device is blinking green, it is on the other phase. Device connects the phases to SwitchLinc.
   • If the other dual-band device is blinking red, it is on the same phase. Device does not connect the phases to SwitchLinc. Relocate device if necessary (and where practical).
   • If the "other" dual-band device is not blinking: Device is not within RF range of SwitchLinc. Device does not connect the phases to SwitchLinc. Relocate device if necessary (and where practical).
3. Press Set button once. SwitchLinc will stop beeping. SwitchLinc LED will turn white. Other device LEDs will stop blinking.

X10 Setup

Note: SwitchLinc ships with no X10 address assigned. To assign an X10 address, you will need an X10 controller to transmit it.

Adding X10 Address

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until beep. LED starts blinking green.
2. From your X10 controller, send the X10 address 3 times (with or without commands). SwitchLinc will double-beep and LED stops blinking.
3. Test by sending X10 on and off commands. The light/load connected to SwitchLinc will turn on and off.

Removing X10 Address

1. Press and hold SwitchLinc Set button until beep. LED starts blinking green.
2. Press and hold Set button until beep. LED starts blinking red.
3. From your X10 controller, send any X10 address 3 times (with or without commands). SwitchLinc will double-beep and LED stops blinking.
4. Test by sending X10 on and off commands. The light/load connected to SwitchLinc will not respond.

Other X10 Setup

For other X10 setup instructions, visit http://www.smarthome.com/insteon-x10-programming.html.

Change Paddle and LED Colors

You can swap out the included white LEDs and/or front paddle and trim frame assembly with a color-change kit before or after SwitchLinc is installed. For more information, see the Accessories page on INSTEON.com.

Specifications

General

INSTEON

Mechanical

Electrical

Troubleshooting

If you have tried these solutions, reviewed this Owner's Manual and still cannot resolve an issue you are having, please call the INSTEON Support Line at 800-762-7845 during the hours of 9 a.m.-9 p.m. ET Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Sat.

Certification and Warranty

Certification

This product has been thoroughly tested by Intertek ETL, a nationally recognized independent third-party testing laboratory. The North American ETL Listed mark signifies that the device has been tested to and has met the requirements of a widely recognized consensus of U.S. and Canadian device safety standards, that the manufacturing site has been audited, and that the manufacturer has agreed to a program of quarterly factory follow-up inspections to verify continued conformance.

FCC and Industry Canada Compliance Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and Industry Canada license-exempt RSS-210. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le present appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorise aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radiolectrique subi, mme si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

Changes or modifications to this unit voids the user's authority to operate this product and the manufacturer's warranty.

The digital circuitry of this device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15B of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio and television reception. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause such interference, which can be verified by turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to eliminate the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Re-orient or relocate the receiving antenna of the device experiencing the interference
• Increase the distance between this device and the receiver
• Connect the device to an AC outlet on a circuit different from the one that supplies power to the receiver
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician

WARNING: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Limited Warranty

Seller warrants to the original consumer purchaser of this product that, for a period of two years from the date of purchase, this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship and will perform in substantial conformity to the description of the product in this Owner's Manual. This warranty shall not apply to defects or errors caused by misuse or neglect. If the product is found to be defective in material or workmanship, or if the product does not perform as warranted above during the warranty period, Seller will either repair it, replace it, or refund the purchase price, at its option, upon receipt of the product at the address below, postage prepaid, with proof of the date of purchase and an explanation of the defect or error. The repair, replacement, or refund that is provided for above shall be the full extent of Seller's liability with respect to this product. For repair or replacement during the warranty period, call the INSTEON Support Line at 800-762-7845 with the Model # and Revision # of the device to receive an RMA# and send the product, along with all other required materials to:

INSTEON
ATTN: Receiving
16542 Millikan Ave.
Irvine, CA 92606-5027

Limitations

The above warranty is in lieu of and Seller disclaims all other warranties, whether oral or written, express or implied, including any warranty or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Any implied warranty, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, which may not be disclaimed or supplanted as provided above shall be limited to the two-year of the express warranty above. No other representation or claim of any nature by any person shall be binding upon Seller or modify the terms of the above warranty and disclaimer.

Home automation devices have the risk of failure to operate, incorrect operation, or electrical or mechanical tampering. For optimal use, manually verify the device state. Any home automation device should be viewed as a convenience, but not as a sole method for controlling your home.

In no event shall Seller be liable for special, incidental, consequential, or other damages resulting from possession or use of this device, including without limitation damage to property and, to the extent permitted by law, personal injury, even if Seller knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or the exclusion or limitation of damages, in which case the above limitations and/or exclusions may not apply to you. You may also have other legal rights that may vary from state to state.

PROTECTED UNDER U.S. AND FOREIGN PATENTS (see www.insteon.com)

Copyright 2012 INSTEON, 16542 Millikan Ave., Irvine, CA 92606, 800-762-7845, www.insteon.com