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How to wire wifi contactor
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| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.  Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1  Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire HOOK UP Wires |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.  White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
  Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes |
 Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX Telephone cable knife Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone |
Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectorsBuy:Push on wire connectors Amazon Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon HOOK UP Wires |
 Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
  Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: KLEIN TOOLS Wire strippers at Amazon Electric Wire Stripping Machine Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
 Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
 GFCI circuit breaker A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit. Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment. White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel. Buy GFCI circuit breakers |
Push down 1" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breaker Buy single-pole: Choose from 15 to 60 amp Eaton CL series Siemens 15-60 amp Single-pole tandem breaker Tandem breakers |
Push down 2" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breakers Buy double-pole: Choose from 15 to 125 amp Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp Eaton CL series circuit breaker Siemens circuit breaker Double pole GFCI |
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WiFi Contactor/ WiFi relayWiOn from WoodsWoods 50054/ 30-40 amp DPDTAuto detect voltage/ 120, 208, 240, 277 voltOutdoor metal box with 3 knockouts for 1/2" or 3/4", located on sides and bottom. Illustration shows test wire at my house before installation. NO NC terminals/ DPDT Buy from my links DEWENWILS brand wifi Wifi power switch Resource: Instructions: Reset first, Test wire, then install. 120 volt test wiring was done outside using extension cord ... so I could check wifi reception .,... before attaching to structure and hardwiring with 240 volt. Nema3R weather-resistant enclosure is solid construction, with a metal latch. Do not expose to direct sunlight or high heat. Always locate enclosure at least 12" above anticipated snowfall. Attach WiOn and wires to solid structure so wiring cannot be torn loose. For longest lifespan of product, install in sheltered area, not exposed to harsh weather. Wion manual |
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Optional Indicator lightLets you see from indoors if device is ON or OFFBuy 120 volt Pilot light at Amazon 120-240 pilot light indicator light 120v indicator light 120v |
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240 volt wiringResource: See more wiring options |
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120 volt wiringResource: See more wiring options |
 Steady blue light indicates wifi signal. Green power light indicates if unit is getting power. Always reset BEFORE set up ... you can use end of paper clip to push and hold reset button for a couple seconds. |
Steps for setting up Woods 50054 WiOn Contactor/ WiFi relayConnect power wires to Terminals L and N. Device auto-detects voltage. Green light turns ON.Download WiOn App on phone. App shows steps: go to settings and include the device into wifi router. After wifi is established, the blue light will be continually ON. Note: You will notice that after the WiOn is added to your wifi network, it will not show in phone settings... which apparently means there is good connection between phone and device. Of course it shows in the Wion app, but not in phone wifi settings. Then go back to app and go to next screen. The WiOn device icon should appear on the screen. Touch the round icon and it will turn device on-off and will show if device is ON or OFF. Steady blue light indicates wifi signal Tips. ALWAYS use reset button and reset device to clear any prior issues. More than one phone can be connected. If device falls off wifi, the icon located on phone app will disappear. Blinking blue light means no wifi connection... use reset button, and/or try different location. Before final installation of the device, check if the location has good wifi reception. This is why my photo shows test wiring. |
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WiOn ground connectionUse supplied ground connection or tap 10-32 hole and install your own ground screwMake sure ground wires are pushed down and away from other wires. Resource: Why you need ground |
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Alternative
method
Wifi contactor Zwave contactor Control 240 volt with Wifi or Zwave Buy from my links Wifi switch by Woods Wion Z-wave switch Bud industries 6x6x4 best value Hinged box 120Volt coil 2-pole contactor At Amazon Contactors Resource: Supply list + assembly instruction Contactor specs Compare types of enclosures (boxes) Wire size |
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Another method for indoor
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Neutral required for timers, wifi, zwave: This plan draws hot and neutral from a small transformer Illustration shows Chassis-mount transformer that converts 240 volt to 120 volt to power wifi-zwave switch Buy: VPT230-110 Transformer/ 25 watt output/ 2.8" diameter x 1.25 thick Contactor with 120 volt coil 7 watt power consumption Programmable timer Countdown timer Zwave switch Wifi switch |
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Z-wave or wifi module replaces timer in PF1102 pool timer with freeze controlThis is specialized adaptation to answer an email.Purpose to replace timer with automation. Folks forget the durability of Intermatic pool equipment, and want inexpensive home automation instead. In this case, all the Intermatic equipment and wiring is intact, and only the timer is by-passed. The automation module can be replaced or removed later if it fails. Buy: wifi switch and modules z-wave modules 120 volt relay/ 25 amp Resources: How to wire WeMo Intermatic freeze controls Relays and contactors |
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Don't get electrocuted.Always good advice.Outdoor electrical equipment CANNOT be wired with live power. Turn power off.... Never ever ever stand on damp soil or surface and touch electrical device.... never ever touch electrical device that is wet or got wet. To prevent electrocution, put down dry boards to stand on .... test for power using non-contact voltage tester. Use two different ones, since they're probably made in China. Then proceed with caution. More people are killed from 120 volts than any other voltage... never assume power is off, or that household 120-240 volt cannot kill you.... because it can. The power can grab and hold on to you... always have helper (wife) stand nearby and knock you loose with 2x4. She cannot touch you or both will get stuck to the power. Get medical help immediately if shocked or burned. Do not treat electric burn with water. Read first aid manual beforehand. Buy: Multimeters at Amazon Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test if water heater electricity is OFF |
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Install Type1 - Type2 surge protectorElectronic devices in home are not protected from surge.Surge can be nearby lightning strike or simple power outage or brownout. Other causes can be inductive appliances such as air conditioner, or if electric power distribution line coming to house has a lot of industrial or commercial 3-phase loads, and power the line does not have a capacitor bank to balance and offset inductive disturbance. Surge protector located next to the device will protect better than surge located farther away... you can install multiple surge protection on same line, for example one surge in main breaker box, another surge on outdoor AC, one for WiOn, and one for shop equipment in garage etc... plus surge power strips for TV etc... Individual appliances are especially affected by surge damage from lightning. This is because lightning can energize any section of wire. Highly recommend surge protection for outdoor AC unit. When AC unit turns on, it causes a voltage disturbance that travels across the line to other appliances. The inductive disturbance is a type of surge. With the advent of energy-saving, staged motors, the surge caused by the AC appliance is reduced, but the appliance is more susceptible to damage from external surge such as line noise, other appliances, and lightning etc. Resource: How to wire Type1 Type2 surge protectors Read about distribution capacitors |
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10 gauge or 12 gauge?10 gauge is larger/ for 30 amp breaker. 12 gauge is smaller/ for 20 amp breaker10 gauge wire can have black-white or black-red 12 gauge will have black and white wires Buy short pieces 10 and 12 gauge wire at local box store Compare with your wire. Resource: Match color code and amp rating for wire |
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Loose wires are dangerous... Use wire connectors, or conduit clamps to secure wire to enclosureBy code, all wire must be securely attached to enclosure to prevent wire pull-out.Wires or conduit must be secured to structure, so there are no loose wires. Wires inside the enclosure cannot lay over top of connection terminals. Best if all wires are slightly separated from each other. Join all ground wires together and cover with wire connector... connect ground wire to ground screw. Push ground wires down-and-away from connection terminals and other wires. WiOn outdoor enclosure has 3 knock outs for 1/2" or 3/4" wire connectors 1 on bottom, 1 on each side. Resource: More enclosures |
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Fire safetyUse only solid copper wire, and no insulation under screw plate.Max 2 wires under screw plate Both wires same gauge Straighten wire ends. Clean old wire with sandpaper, or cut back and strip undamaged wire. Do not use stranded wire, it will come loose with heat expansion and overheat and cause burning. Do NOT solder end of stranded wire to make solid ... amperage will melt solder. Connect stranded wire to short jumper of solid copper wire and cover with twist on connector Always keep enclosure (box) cover closed |
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Max 2 wires under screw plateBoth wires MUST be same gaugeStraighten each wire Tighten screw very tight against copper wire |
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No stranded wire under screw terminalsConnect stranded and solid with wire connector and run jumper to screw plate.Or add solder to stranded wire to make solid. See example image Stranded wire is Good for compression terminals Terminals |
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Fire inside timer caused by stranded wireKeep enclosure door closed at all timesDo not use stranded wire. Tighten screws very tight against wire. Torque it down. Resource: Timer caught fire |
Wifi Vs ZwaveDavid provided this first-hand analysis:I'm definitely going the z wave route, given the option. It tends to be more plug-and-play, at least so far. The icing on the cake is that all of my z-wave is controlled by a single app and/or web interface. It's a lot easier to maintain and to teach my wife how to use. Installation overview: I have my landscape and driveway lights, and now my water heater on Zwave. My irrigation timer is WiFi, as there was not much of any other option that was as compelling .... ... and for the same reason I have Nest for thermostats. Buy from my Amazon links Nest at Amazon Amazon ECHO to control wifi Wifi sprinkler controller Zwave Connectivity: Zwave is a mesh network. All the devices are capable of relaying a signal from any zwave device to another switch until they get back to the hub. That makes placement a bit easier. Z wave is also much lower power, allowing for battery powered devices that would be quite difficult to accomplish with wifi. Wifi connectivity: Wifi can be finicky on connections, whereas z wave seems to be more reliable. All wifi devices have to be able to reach the wifi router for their signal, which can be a problem depending on where the router is installed. Controller: Each wifi has separate apps. So if you have wifi devices from different manufacturers, then you have the app for each device. You have to remember which app goes to which device. Zwave has one hub. All Zwave devices, from any manufacturer will work with hub. The icing on the cake is that all of my Zwave is controlled by a single app and/or web interface. Z-wave is a lot easier to maintain and to teach my wife how to use. Ease of replacement: I already had an electronic water heater controller failed much sooner than it should have, The beauty of using a contactor instead of timer, is that if my Zwave switch fails, all I have to do is replace it at a cost of less that $40. Compare Boxtype water heater timers Availability: Zwave has standard protocol, and devices from any manufacturer will work will all other Zwave devices. Z wave replacement are reasonable prices. On the other hand, Wifi is proprietary software, unique to each manufacturer. If manufacturer changes or discontinues product... ... then older devices might stop functioning ... and replacement devices not be available. Resource: Z-wave contactor |
 Contactors/ relays |
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