Help me wire my digital timers

[ezhoops]

I've been working on wiring these timers all day and I got it to work but not properly.

here is what I'm dealing with

Ok here is how I wired it up:

black (hot wire) from outlet to timer (each done individually)
White (neutral Wire) one wire connected from one outlet to the other (jumper)
Blue Wire on Timer to Ground wire from outlet
Red Screw not used
Green (ground) grounds connected to each other (screws)

that is how I wired them together and here is how I wired the plug to connect it all together.

each black wire connected to black wire on plug
White wire connected to one outlet and the other end connected to white wire on plug
Ground wires from the two timers connected to the ground on the plug.

this is all plugged into my DJ power center.

 

[ezhoops]

Here is the problem I'm having

the timers aren't controlling the lights, when I push the on/off button nothing happens

or......

when I push the timer on/off button the gfci resets

or........

when I turn on the DJ switch it resets the gfci


please help, I know I must have missed something

thanks

 

[Worldwithin]

Are the timers rated for the correct amperage of your lights?? It looks like these timers are set up for ceiling lights, or possibly fans or something. If this is the case, depending on what kind of lighting you are attempting to use, they may not be rated for it.

If they are rated correctly, I would look at the wiring diagram that was supplied with the timer. I will assume that you are using the timer to control the outlets that you took pictures of. Taking the supply line, you would generally connect the white wire to the neutral side of each outlet, and the black wire would connect to the timer, then to each outlet. I am not too sure what the blue wire or the red screws are for, but it sounds like something that a ceiling fan would use. Do the switches require batteries to function?

What are these timers intended for, and if you are unable to get a wiring diagram for them, there might be one online somewhere.

:fish1::hammer:

 

[BeanAnimal]

COuld you draw a picture of your connections... and also give us the model number and manufacturer of the timers


The LBUE WIRE IS A LOAD WIRE. If you tie this wire to ground, then you are grounding ht hot wire when the timer comes on.

 

[BeanAnimal]

IN nay case... assuming these are standard intermatic in-wall timers.

The BLACK WIRE on the PLUG should be wired to the BLACK WIRE of BOTH timers.

The WHITE wire on the PLUG should be wired to the BOTH OUTLETS NEUTRAL SCREWS.

THE BLUE LOAD WIRE from TIMER 1 should be connected to the HOT side of outlet1.

THE BLUE LOAD WIRE from TIMER 2 should be connected to the HOT side of outlet2.

The ground wires should all be tied together. This includes the groudn wires from the timers, the plug and ground screws on the outlets.

Bean

 

[Worldwithin]

Actually, I will revise my previous description. In going back and reading my wireout, I can see that it could be easily confusing what to do with the black "hot" wire. On your timers, there should be a hot in and a hot out. the hot in (black wire) should be connected to the black wire of your supply line. The hot out (usually black, possibly blue in your case) should be connected to the hot side of each outlet. The timer is placed as a switch for the hot side of your supply line. It will open or close the "hot" circuit depending on the setting.

:fish1::hammer:

 

[BeanAnimal]

Wow I just ahd a look at those Intermatic instructions. They are borderline criminal to say the least.

They are poorly worded and do not even use the common terms let alone techincal terms for things. I am not a lawsuit guy, but in all honesty, they need their butts sued off for printing instructions that dangerous and ambiguous. Good grief, no wonder you almost fried yourself.

 

[BeanAnimal]

not trying to steal your thunder worldwithin, as your description seems to be correct....

but if he follows the instructions I gave him, he should be safe without being confused

 

[Worldwithin]

No worries...

:fish1::hammer:

 

[ezhoops]

OK I'll try that in the morning, The timer is an intermatic from HD and it comes with a black , blue ,and red wire.

 

[ezhoops]

do I need that jumper white wire. the wire that connects both neutrals to each outlet?

 

[radone]

You should connect all the whites together
The Black is the supply coming to the timer
The Blue is going to the outlet you want to switch on/off
The Red is not used unless its a three way style setup

I'm using 4 of these to control all lights and canopy fans
I basically have the timer/switch on the right of my panel which then go to the outlets on the left 8 receptacles are controlled in all.
I believe my timers are the SS8 models

Good Luck and hope this helps you

 

[radone]

Ooops forgot to mention these timers don't have a ground with them they usually replace a switch.
No reason to apply these to your DJ power center IMO, you could use those outlets for something else

 

[BeanAnimal]

There has to be (should be) a ground with them. The "no ground" switches are a thing of the past. Most of the in-wall intermatics have a braided ground strap.

And as a direct answer to your question, it is best to attach 2 white wires to the white wire from the plug. Each of these white wiress will go to an outlets NEUTRAL screw.

Bean

 

[areze]

offtopic, what are those and where did you get them? Ive seen them in other people photos, but never found out what they were called or who made them. they are a really awesome design.

sorry I cant help, never used one, but if they end up working theyll be even better

 

[BeanAnimal]

areze you can get them at HD or LOWES.

You can read the details at intermatic.com and choose the model that fits your needs best.

 

[radone]

Sorry mine don't have grounds

 

[BeanAnimal]

How long ago did you buy them radone? I am not familiar with that model first hand, but the model below that does have a groudn strap. I was also under the imperssion that all new switches had ot have a ground on the yoke. I could be wrong though.

Bean

 

[radone]

I got the original ones around a year ago, but have bought another one since,maybe six months ago and nothing attached. It really flipped me out because it didn't. But hey they work fine so no biggy. These are also behind a GFCI so it should still pop in case.
If I get my lights wet I've got some serious problems

 

[ezhoops]

Well here is the model that I have
http://www.intermatic.com/?action=prod&pid=193

Here is what I wired now: I wired one white wire from each outlet to the white wire on the plug

one black wire from the outlet to the timer to the plug

Ground wire from the outlet to the blue wire of the timer, ground wires connect to ground wire on the plug.

Now, I have power to the outlets but the timers aren't controlling the lights or anything else.

Example, right now I have my timer box plugged in and a fan connected to one outlet and a lamp to the other. The are both working but when I push the on/off button on the timer it doesn't do a thing??

please help