What Is A Load Wire On A Timer Switch

The hot wire connections for a mechanical timer switch include both a line and load connection.

What is a load wire on a timer switch. At the second device the line is the power source coming in. Distinguishing between line and load isn t always necessary. With the first device the line is the wire running from the service panel to the device and the load is the wire running from the first device to the second device downstream on the circuit. The line connection is where the incoming hot wire from the power source is connected while the load connection carries power onward from the switch to the appliance or device.

For example a conventional wall switch which is a single pole single throw switch works equally well whether you attach the live circuit wire line to the top brass terminal or the bottom because the switch has only two positions open or closed the terminal connections are directional on a double throw switch on the. Consult your timer s wiring diagram to ensure which wire is the hot lead from the switch. Many electrical timers require a neutral so that the switch can be powered without sending power to the load. Outlets receptacles switches light fixtures and other electrical devices typically are wired in multiples on a single circuit.

Then connect the switched wire typically a blue wire to the black wire leading to the device.