GE 45613 Z-Wave Technology 3-Way Dimmer Switch Kit

by General Electric

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

GE's Z-Wave 3 Way Dimmer Switch Kit let's you control your home lighting from anywhere in your house. Z-Wave is a radio frequency, mesh network technology specifically designed for use in residential lighting control. Every Z-Wave enabled wall switch is capable of relaying commands and utilizes two-way communications to ensure reliable operation throughout the entire home. The open-air, line-of-sight transmission distance is up to 100-Feet between devices. Actual performance in a home will depend on the number of walls between the remote controller and the destination device, the type of construction and the number of devices installed in the system. The device's ability to relay commands and acknowledge receipt od commands makes Z-Wave an ideal solution for automating and controlling lighting systems.

Product Description

GE 45613 Z-Wave® 3-Way Dimmer Switch

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7.2 x 2.2 inches ; 5.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0013V58K2
• Item model number: 45613
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,899 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #11 in Home Improvement > Electrical > Dimmer Switches
  • #22 in Home Improvement > Electrical > Switches

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fix the instructions, March 26, 2011

By 

Stephen - See all my reviews

This review is from: GE 45613 Z-Wave Technology 3-Way Dimmer Switch Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have installed over 20 of the GE 2-way dimmers with zero problems. However, these 3 ways were a complete pain to install. I got a voltmeter and figured out the wiring exactly. But, no matter what I did the lights would not reach full brightness unless the aux switch was held down. They also flickered enough to give you a seizure. I had them like this for almost a month... I tried everything, insulating the yellow wire, using different travelers, switching switch locations, trying new switches... I was about to give up and eliminate the aux switch and use a 2 way. But then reading a forum online I finally found the secret to making these things work!!!!!

WIRE THE WHITE WITH RED STRIPE WIRE ON THE AUX SWITCH TO NEUTRAL!!!!!

This immediately fixed all of the issues I had with these switches!!!! They work great now and I am very happy. I would give the switches 5 stars... But, you can't ignore the crappy instructions. The fact that it took several months to figure out how to get these to work is ridiculous; But, now that they work they are great!

This forum has a ton of info on wiring and is where I found the secret to getting these things working:

[...]

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars GE Z-wave is a Z-ero, September 11, 2009

By 

J. MCBRIDE "fool for the sixties" (Weatogue, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GE 45613 Z-Wave Technology 3-Way Dimmer Switch Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I am now returning my second GE Z-wave 3-way dimmer switch set and I'm not going to try another. The auxilliary switch didn't work with either set. The downstairs main switch is fine, dims up and down as expected. The auxiliary switch, installed upstairs, turns the overhead light on, but can't turn it off. Instead, once lit, the overhead just flashes a little brighter when tapping the top or bottom of the toggle. The instructions were confusing so I had an electrician install the switches. He couldn't get it to work, even after I called him back a second time. I called GE customer service who said it was defective and return to Amazon. Looks like my new unit is "defective", too. So much for going with the "big name" brand.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars don't give up installing them. they do work., September 16, 2011

By 

5trap "mylittleloafey" (Eastvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GE 45613 Z-Wave Technology 3-Way Dimmer Switch Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have to agree with other people, the installation instruction is very terrible. the wiring for my home was exactly how the instructions was drawn out in the installation booklet provided in the package.

Per the instructions, I needed to install the GE aux switch to the switch wired closest to the power supply and the primary switch to the switch wired closest to the fixture you want to control.

I did this and it did not work at all. the instructions did not even mention anything about the black load/line wires for the aux switch.

In order for this to work, you have to first figure out which line is the live and load wires, the neutral, and the traveler. second you need to identify the primary switch (the switch where power first comes into from the breaker box) and the second switch (the switch wired closest to the fixture). The GE primary switch will be the primary switch, connect the line to the line in the back of the switch, connect the load to the load, add a little 6" line and tap into the connector for the neutral to the back of the switch, and then connect the traveler line.

The GE Aux switch is connected to the second switch. The GE Aux switch only connects the neutral and traveler on the back of the switch. you then have to connect the load and live line to complete the circuit.