Leviton 612-6230M-W Decora 30-15-10-5 Preset Minute Electronic Timer, White
by Leviton
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List Price: Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Leviton 612-6230M-W Decora 30-15-10-5 Preset Minute Electronic Timer, White
Customer Review: Timer Does Not Work Without a Neutral Wire
Summary: 1 Stars
I returned the timer switch. I bought this timer switch thinking that I had finally found a push button timer switch for my bathroom fan. The rotary dial timer switch frequently "hangs up" and stays on forever. This push button switch was hard to find and expensive, but it was what I thought I needed. I took it out of the package and tried to wire it in where the dial timer switch had been. when it didn't work by just connecting white to white and black to black and ground to ground, I took a closer look at the many-fold, fine print instructions. Then I emailed Leviton technical support asking what to do. Here is their answer:
----- Original Message -----
From: Tappen, Jason
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 3:55 PM
Subject: RE: leviton.com Contact Technical Support
Hi Chris,
Most likely those wires you have in the box are Hot
(Black), Load (White), and Ground. No switch would function
without a load wire. Unfortunately, if this is the case you
will not be able to use this or any other timer switch we
manufacture, since all the timers we manufacture that are
compatible with a fan will require a neutral connection.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Jay Tappen
Leviton Technical Support
(800) 824-3005
----- Original Message -----
Then I contacted Smarthome to return the timer switch, and they told me how to do that. However, I had to pay the return shipping cost, AND I was not refunded the original delivery cost. So I lost about $10 in the bargain just to find out that the timer would NEVER work in what I believe is a common wiring situation. It's not my fault and the there is no warning that I can see about this wiring limitation.
Customer Review: 3-wire configuration is common - this switch requires a 4th, neutral wire
Summary: 1 Stars
A year ago I replaced a fan switch with one of those dial-timer switches which was very easy to install. I thought this switch looked a lot better and the quiet operation sounded great also so I purchased it. According to the manufacturer's website, most new house's electrical systems include a neutral wire configurations and since my house is one year old it did not occur to me check before ordering. My configuration only has a 3-wire setup and without the neutral wire, the timer won't work. One of my friend's is an electrician so I called him and he said that generally only timers for HVAC systems in residential building have a neutral wire setup. So before you order, verify that your existing setup has a neutral wire, because it probably does not.Customer Review: Failed after 1 year
Summary: 1 Stars
Works great. No problems after couple months. Its really tough to get this unit in with all the 12 gauge wires of a double gang box like I had. Easy install other than stuffing it all in the box. Not as easy to use in the dark as a regular switch, but LED helps you find it.
UPDATE: After exactly one year of normal use in a water closet it failed. IT seems the electronics failed: It will no longer countdown and turn off. The only way to turn off the fan was to reset the breaker. I really loved the look and functionality. But its not built to last, or cannot tolerate power fluctuations. Changed rating down from 5 stars and title was "Works great".
Customer Review: Failed after 2 months
Summary: 1 Stars
Like another reviewer has reported, this switch worked fine for a while (and it's convenient) but suddenly stopped sending power to the blue load wire. The LED and timer functions were still working but no power was being sent to the load. This happened after just 2 months of moderate use. It was controlling a small bathroom exhaust fan, certainly a legitimate application.
Not sure what to do now. I guess I'm supposed to contact the manufacturer for a warranty replacement -- Amazon isn't very helpful in this respect -- I couldn't find anything about returning a defective device after 30 days.
Customer Review: Requires neutral for installation
Summary: 1 Stars
This requires a neutral. Make sure you have it set up this way before you buy this switch, or have easy access to add additional wiring.