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Question:
How do I wire two GE Enbrighten Z-Wave switches that control a single bath fan?

Background:

  • There are two bathrooms
  • Each bathroom has a switch to control a common bath fan
  • The fan will be on when either switch is in the ON position (different than any 3-way switch that I have experience with
  • I've wired up over two dozen of these switches in my home already (including 3 different 3-ways). I've got some experience with them, I've just never encountered switches like this where the load is hot despite the position of the other switch.

Existing Wiring:
The existing switches are wired like this:
enter image description here

Typical 3-Way Wiring:
Wiring for a typical 3 way for GE Enbrighten switches looks like this: enter image description here

Thanks. Let me know if I can provide more information.

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    Travelers go from switch to switch.... so were are your load wires? How is your fan hooked up to the switches in your first picture?
    – JACK
    Jun 22 at 14:26
  • @JACK they're red wire, so I assumed travelers. They go into the box and bundle to a black (presumably load) wire. How can I verify that? With my Klien voltage detector, the red wires are not hot unless the switch they are connected to is flipped on.
    – Adam Konieska
    Jun 22 at 16:11
  • So you have parallel hots going to the same load..... that's so not good. Do you have a conduit installation or NM cable? You'll need to add more wire and jockey things round. Personally, this seems like a waste of smart switches.
    – JACK
    Jun 22 at 17:22
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    @AdamKonieska -- what are you trying to accomplish with Z-Wave control of a bath fan?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Jun 23 at 1:04
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    @ThreePhaseEel despite my efforts, humans can't remember to turn the fan on. Its been letting moisture accumulate in the attic, which in the winter seeps into the attic and freezes, finally melting in the spring and leaking through the ceiling. So, humidity/moisture sensor and turn the fan on when its needed. In addition to more attic insulation and checking repairing any moisture barriers.
    – Adam Konieska
    Jun 23 at 13:51

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