What switch to use to create a 3-way

[OliverK]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I joined because I've given up trying to figure things out on my own, I need help! I think it's a combination of my unfamiliarity, too much information in too many places, and too many options. My head is spinning.

I have an exterior garage light with the wired switch inside the garage, no neutral. I would like to install a Pico/Caseta product with a wireless switch at the front door of the house (quite close to the garage), and thus create a 3-way switch (2 switches, 1 light).

What product should I use (if it exists)?

Thank you!

[Brandon W.]

Hello OliverK and welcome to the forums!

We would be happy to help make this clear for you. Thank you for clarifying that a neutral is not present at this location. With this in mind, we recommend the Caseta PRO PD-5WS-DV Smart Switch. This can wire into a 3-way with an existing switch. Please take a look at the specification sheet here: assets.lutron.com/a/documents/369831_eng.pdf

3-way wiring diagrams can be found on page 7!

[OliverK]

Thank you Brandon, I appreciate it, super helpful. I have a question about the travelers shown in the wiring diagram. I have a general understanding of what traveler wires do in a conventional 3-way, but in this wireless application and the way they are depicted in the diagram (top of page 8), I really don't understand what they are doing and how I would go about wiring them up. I took a look at the advanced installation guide but it's 138 pages long. Could you give me a brief high level explanation of the purpose of the travelers, what's involved in their installation in a practical sense (again, just brief would be fine), and maybe the relevant pages in the advanced installation guide so I can figure out the details on my own? Thanks in advance.

Oliver

[Joy L.]

Hello Oliver, are there currently two existing mechanical 3-way switches controlling this light, or just currently one hard-wired switch controlling the light? And we are adding a Pico to turn it into a 3-way?

Thanks in advance for clarifying!

[OliverK]

Hello Oliver, are there currently two existing mechanical 3-way switches controlling this light, or just currently one hard-wired switch controlling the light? And we are adding a Pico to turn it into a 3-way?

Thanks in advance for clarifying!

Currently there is just a single mechanical switch (controlling a single light) with no neutral. I would like to turn it into a 3-way by adding a Pico.

Thanks,

Oliver

[Joy L.]

Hello Oliver, thank you for that clarification! In this case then, since the circuit is currently wired as a single pole and the Pico is only wirelessly making it a 3-way, you may use the single pole wiring diagram below:

Page 6 for the PD-5WS-DV: https://assets.lutron.com/a/documents/369831_eng.pdf

We hope this helps!

[OliverK]

Hello Oliver, thank you for that clarification! In this case then, since the circuit is currently wired as a single pole and the Pico is only wirelessly making it a 3-way, you may use the single pole wiring diagram below:

Page 6 for the PD-5WS-DV: https://assets.lutron.com/a/documents/369831_eng.pdf

We hope this helps!

Yes, very much so, thank you!