· Pure Light Electric & HVAC
You bought smart switches, opened the box, and found two black wires and no white one. Welcome to the most common smart home wiring call we get.
Why smart switches need a neutral
A smart switch is a tiny computer that must stay powered even when the light is off. It needs a complete circuit — hot in, neutral back.
Three fixes
- Pull a neutral to the switch box (best, permanent)
- Use no-neutral smart switches with a bypass at the fixture
- Install smart bulbs or in-fixture modules instead
While you're at it
Add whole-house surge protection at the panel so a lightning surge doesn't take out every smart device at once. Book a smart home electrician in Lee's Summit, Wildwood or St. Charles.