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Illuminated when 'On' light switch wiring

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gatorgrabber

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I have two Leviton 1201-PLC light switches that should illuminate when the switch is in the 'on' position (not like the more common illuminated when 'off'). Problem is, clever me has never wired one of these before and there's no wiring schematic to look at. There are 3 screw attachments (gold, silver & black) plus the ground. Any suggestions so I don't get nicknamed 'Sparky'? :D
 
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KRB52

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The light for the switch should be internal, if I understand you correctly, and should not need for you to do anything. It should wire the same as the switch you are replacing. Easy way to remember is, "White to bright, Black to brass, Green to ground." Your black post is to run power to the device that you want switched (light, pump, electric chair, etc.) As always, remember to kill the power to the run you are working on, otherwise you run the risk of a "shocking " experience. A no-contact voltage checker is cheap insurance.
 
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rlitman

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KRB52 said:
The light for the switch should be internal, if I understand you correctly, and should not need for you to do anything. It should wire the same as the switch you are replacing. Easy way to remember is, "White to bright, Black to brass, Green to ground." Your black post is to run power to the device that you want switched (light, pump, electric chair, etc.) As always, remember to kill the power to the run you are working on, otherwise you run the risk of a "shocking " experience. A no-contact voltage checker is cheap insurance.
Click to expand...

The point here is that the switch requires a neutral wire (unlike a typical switch).
 
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Charles (in GA)

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BillK said:
Wow .... thank you !!!!! I have searched for a while and even e-mailed Leviton to see if they had such a thing and they said no !!!!! Hopefully my local supply house has one, if so I will have it tommorow morning and give it a try.

Thanks again !!!
Click to expand...

Retail price is something crazy high. I bought mine from Fruitridgetools.com they don't always have them but sometimes get in a small stock. They buy excess stocks and closeouts, out of business inventories, etc.

They have them in red, green, and clear. The last letter is the color. PL indicates pilot light, and the numbers tell us the amperage among other things.

15 amp version has blue body front.

20 amp version has a red body front.

gatorgrabber said:
If I recall correctly during my search, there's a 3-way version of the Leviton 1201-PLC.
Click to expand...

Its a 1203-PL? (? = Red, Green, or Clear) Clear looks slightly orange as it is a neon light inside.

Charles

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gatorgrabber

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It took me a while to dig up the clear model since the other colors just wouldn't work for where I needed it. I paid $15 each for the std. switches which I thought was a bit much.
 
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gatorgrabber

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What I found was that 'pilot' meant it came on when the switch was in the 'on' position. The cheaper (by far!) illuminated switches only light up when the switch is 'off'. BTW, my clear switch glows orange when operating; not a problem since I was interested in the clear switch itself.
 
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justsam

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I have the Decora version of this switch with pilot light. It is not real bright so I still sometimes leave my lights on in my shed.

In order to enable the pilot light function, you must have a neutral in the box, so if your desired switch location just has three wires going to it you may be out of luck, without some additional wiring.
 
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