Aube by Honeywell TI033/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White
by Aube by Honeywell
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Aube by Honeywell TI033/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, White
Customer Review: Excellent timer switch so far
Summary: 5 Stars
The timer switch I am talking about is the TI033/U 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch. It requires a neutral wire. Unlike TI032 or TI034, it has NO minimum wattage requirements so that it can be used to control a single CFL light. Also, it can NOT be used to replace a 3-way switch. It can only replace a single-pole switch. If you want to replace a 3-way switch, you need to use a model that has a -3W (3-Way). Remember that all the Aube 3-way timer switches have a minimum wattage requirement of 40W, but they do not require a neutral wire, and they can replace a single-pole switch as well as a 3-way switch. All the Aube timer switches that do not have a minimum wattage requirement requires a neutral wire. BE SURE TO FIND THE CORRECT MODEL FOR YOUR USE BEFORE PURCHASE. My following comment (No. 3) may give you a hint as to know whether or not you have a neutral wire. (BTW: 3-way switches always come in pairs, meaning two switches control the same lights).
I've been using this switch for three weeks. Not a single problem found yet. Once you identify the three wires in your switch box (line, load, and neutral), it is very easy to install and program. A good thing I really like is that you can program it to turn on any time before mid-night and to turn off after mid-night the next day. Some other timers will be messed up if you program it across different days.
Switching it between a regular manual switch and an automatic timer is also convenient by pressing the cover for 3 seconds. If you want to temporarily turn it on or off under automatic mode, you simply hit the cover like a regular switch, and it goes back to automatic mode at the next programmed on or off event. The "on" or "off" will flash if it is at a temporary manual mode, which is the one that I don't like very much.
Wall plate is not included. You need to buy it separately. The timer switch fits into a standard size GFCI opening.
Highly recommend to use a multimeter to check the wires in your switch box if you are not sure which one is which, especially if you have a combination switch box. Wrong wiring can hurt you and damage the switch.
How to find the three required wires in your switch box:
1. Line is the power source (hot wire) from your switch box, normally black color but not always. It will be connected to the black wire of the timer switch so that power will come into your switch from the power source. Line is located "upstream" to your timer switch. Voltage between line and ground wire is 110-120 V whether the switch is on or off. Verify with a multimeter.
2. Load is the wire that allows power to go out of your timer switch to your lights, normally black color but not always. It will be connected to the blue wire of the timer switch, and it will be located "downstream" to your switch. Voltage between load and ground wire is 110-120 V when the switch is on, and is close to zero when the switch is off. Verify with a multimeter.
3. Neutral is the wire that comes out of your lights (not switch) and is located "downstream" to your lights in the return circuit. It will be connected to the white wire of the timer switch. Not every house has a neutral, but if it has, the neutral wire is normally white. If you see two or three white wires connected together by a wire nut, they are very likely neutral wires. Neutral wire is grounded, but it is separate from ground wire in most houses built the last 10-15 years. If you see bare copper wires wrapped together, they are ground wires, not neutral wires. Since neutral wires are grounded, voltage between neutral and ground wires is zero. The only way to make sure your white wires are neutral and are not hot, is to use a multimeter to measure the voltage between the white wires and the ground wires. Of course, you need to know your ground wires are properly grounded by measuring voltage between the ground wires and the ground (should be zero).
Important: NEVER use electrical tape to connect wires in switch box. It is a fire hazard. Code requires proper size wire nuts.
ALWAYS cut off power supply from breaker before working on switch box.
Customer Review: The best light timer by far
Summary: 5 Stars
As far as I know, there is nothing even close to this on the market.
I have had a few of these for many years. None have ever failed. Setup is straightforward and programming is reasonable.
Having the lights automatically adjust for sunrise/sunset is great. If we leave the house at 4pm and come back at 9pm, the front lights are on.
There is a little bug in the programming (TI034). It screws up if it is programmed to turn on before midnight and turn off after midnight. I forget now how it screws up, because I changed mine to turn off just before midnight. I think it just stayed on.
I would like more flexible programming, but that usually comes with complexity. There isn't much space there for a display.
1. Be able to set an offset (sunset +/- nn minutes).
2. A random feature where it would vary the actual on/off times by +/- nn minutes. This is a minor point, because it already vary some because of changing sunset/sunrise times.
3. Automatic adjustment for daylight savings. That may be a problem, because they could change the cutover date, so maybe it's better as it is.
This also allows me to synch the clock twice a year. The timer does not keep perfect time, which is surprising. I would think it could use the 60 Hz from the grid to stay perfectly in time. Maybe an upgraded model could include a received for the time signal from Colorado? :-)
This is one of my favorite gadgets. It used to be very hard to find. I am glad that Amazon is now carrying it. I often give them away as gifts.
07/30/10 Update: Aube makes quite a few models. It took me awhile to figure out the differences and I bought one wrong model. Some of them are designed for more heavy-duty work and controlling motors (033 & 035). I see that they now have a few new models with more programming options and higher wattage ratings. Most of mine are the 034. These are fine for porch lights. Our front porch light is also wired in with the front outside plug so it can control external Christmas lights. The 500 watt max for the 034 is limiting. I may get the new 071 or 072 to replace that one.
Here's a summary of the model from the Aube website (aubetech dot com). Please excuse the (. . .). That's the only way I could find to make a table.
. . Model . . . . . . . . . . . Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Programs
. TI032-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual
. TI032-3W-5 . .500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual
. TI034-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . Sunset/sunrise
. TI070-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 7 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI073-3W . . . 500 W @ 120 V, 40 W minimum . . 21 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI033 . . . . . . 2400 W max., 1 HP @ 120 V . . . . 7 manual
. TI035 . . . . . . 2400 W max., 1 HP @ 120 V . . . . Sunset/sunrise
. TI071 . . . . . . 1800 W @ 120 V, 0 W minimum . . 7 manual + Sunset/sunrise
. TI072-3W . . . 1800 W @ 120 V, 0 W minimum . . 21 manual + Sunset/sunrise
The 3W means 3-way. The -5 is almond color.
Customer Review: Saves me 8 cents a day -- it adds up
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was considering getting a timer switch like this one, I first considered how much I'd actually save in utilities. Before getting the timer, I would leave the light outside my door on when I leave for work in the morning; otherwise I can't see a thing when I get home at night. So considering I have a 40W bulb and am gone 10 hours a day, I was wasting 0.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. I pay 20 cents per kWh (I pay for wind energy from my local provider), so that's 8 cents a day. This switch timer costs around $30, so I'll recoup the cost from utilities savings over about a year. Of course, your mileage will vary depending on how bright your lights are, how long you would have left them on without a timer, etc.
Installation is as easy as installing any other switch or dimmer. Unlike normal switches, however, this timer does require access to the neutral (white) wire. This is because the timer itself needs to draw AC power to function. You probably have a wire nut connecting two or more white wires together in your switchbox already. Just loosen that nut, add the white wire from the timer, and reattach the nut. The timer does also come with two small wire nuts for you to connect the line and load wires, which were probably hooked onto screws on your old switch. If so, you'll need to unhook those wires, straighten them out with pliers, and connect them to the new switch timer using the supplied wire nuts. The front face of the timer fits perfectly in a Decora-style switch plate.
The timer is easy to use. If you can program an alarm clock, you can program this timer. You can also press the big switch cover to turn on or off the lights independently of any program you've set. When the switch goes on or off, you'll hear an audible click. There is room for 7 independent on-off programs. Setting the timer to simply turn on and off at a specific time 7 days a week counts as only one program, so 7 is really more than enough.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this product. Installing it makes for a quick and easy home improvement project that also makes you feel good about doing something positive for the environment.
Customer Review: An Excellent Timer That Requires Wiring
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great timer for automating switch-controlled lights in your home. It's well-designed with an interface that's very easy to use. Programming the timer is straightforward; the individual menu and up/down buttons (found beneath the switch plate) are so much nicer than those finiky rotating dials that some other timers use. If I'd realized there was a dusk/dawn model before I'd bought this one (see Aube by Honeywell TI035/U Solar Programmable Timer Switch, White), I would've gone with it since I'm controlling a compact fluorescent porch light, but this one does what it says it will, and does it nicely.
Finally, a note on wiring/installation. If you know a little about wiring, don't be alarmed about the appearance of the wire leads. They're tin-coated copper, not aluminum (as you can see if you look at the core of the strands at the end). This was also verified by Aube (who had prompt customer service, incidentally). So, there's no problem wiring it into existing copper wires. This also means that it would be unwise to wire it in yourself if your house has aluminum wiring! Before you buy, make sure you feel comfortable wiring this switch in with your house wiring, or that you're prepared to hire an electrician. If you're going to do it yourself, check behind the switch you intend to replace (turn off the breaker supplying it first!) and make sure that:
1. There is a neutral wire to connect this switch to. If not, you'll need the 2-wire-compatible model.
2. The house wires are copper. If they are not, you should consult an electrician.
This is a great product, and I definitely recommend it!
Customer Review: Works Great - Perfect Timer for Porch Lights with CFLs (compact fluorescents)
Summary: 5 Stars
Great product! I purchased this timer to replace an Intermatic timer to control my porch lights. The Intermatic timer couldn't handle CFLs without "bleeding" power during the hours the timer was supposed to be off and burning them out. This switch does the job right. Other reviews commented on the large size of this timer; but it's no bigger than similar timers or dimmers...so don't be overly concerned about the size. If you have room in your box for a dimmer, this timer will fit. One important point - the instructions for setting the timer fail to include one last important step - after setting the "on" and "off" times you will need to set to "automatic." Doing this is not totally intuitive. The last step under programming says to "close the switch door." But after you do that, you need to press the switch door for 3 seconds. That will change the operation from manual to automatic - the display will show "AUTO" Then you're done. Great product - I highly recommend for either incandescents or CFLs.