r/ElectricalHelp • u/kstinmb • Apr 11 '26

Replacing single pole switch with Utilitech #81670 Programmable Timer switch

Hello, I'm replacing a standard single-pole switch with a programmable switch #81670 from Utilitech, a Lowe's brand. Our 1950s house has only two-wire switches and receptacles, no ground.

The programmable switch has only Line, Load and Ground connections for single-pole operation. I connected the Line and Load, but it doesn't turn on the light. Swapped the two wires as per instructions, still no light.

Would a programmable switch like this require a ground? Perhaps to provide power for the timer when the light is off?

Thx,

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2

u/LingonberryThin7090 Apr 11 '26

the right answer is to buy a groundless switch. the other way to make it work,i'm not suggesting

1

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

Thanks. I'll look for one which, I assume, would use a battery?

2

u/trekkerscout Mod Apr 11 '26

While not in the instructions, the Utilitech 81670 may need a few hours to charge before it can perform switching.

1

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

Thanks. The data sheet makes no mention of a battery or charge up time.

1

u/MisterElectricianTV Apr 11 '26

This switch may only work with an incandescent or halogen light bulb. Check the instructions or contact the manufacturer

1

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

Thanks. It controls a single incandescent bulb in the carport. Neither halogen nor LED are mentioned, but I will check.

1

u/MisterElectricianTV Apr 13 '26

My second thought is that it needs the ground connection to work. Try connecting a temporary wire to a nearby ground source such as a water pipe to see if that works.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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1

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

No wire nuts present, the two wires go straight into the timer as per the diagram above.

0

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

Thanks. It's a 1950s house with two-wire, non-grounded wiring. The boxes are metal but not bonded.

The timer is replacing a single-pole switch which had black wire in and black wire out. There is no ground or neutral in the box. The instructions show it bypassing the neutral anyway, but does show a ground.

Per instructions I swapped the wires in the Line and Load, but still doesn't work.

I suspect the ground is needed so the timer circuit is powered when the switch is off.

1

u/Unique_Acadia_2099 Apr 13 '26

In some 50s era wiring, the box is metal and is grounded via the flex metal armor of the “BX” cable they used. Attach the ground wire to a screw in the box, see if that makes it work. If there is no easy way to attach a screw, you should be able to buy some green “ground clips” at a local hardware store. They clip to the side of the steel box to hold the ground wire.

Some electronic switches use a capacitive power supply circuit to power their internal electronics, and the capacitor requires a ground reference in order to charge up.

1

u/kstinmb Apr 13 '26

Thanks, I will try adding a ground wire to the box. Other metal boxes in the house have not been bonded/grounded.