Lutron Caseta wiring methods

[Bama_Electrical]

I went to look at a remodel job yesterday and have been asked to quote setting up several of the rooms on Lutron switches. House from the 70’s has completely been gutted, so it is a full rewire job. Question I have, is since the customer wants mostly Lutron switches, would y’all wire up everything as you would for normal 3-ways or just wire it up like lights are working off of a single switch with a Pico on the other side of the room to simulate a 3-way. Will cut down on a lot of 14/3 if I don’t wire the 3-ways. Just curious how y’all would approach it.

 

[MSU_Electrician]

On a Cassetta you have to wire like a single pole switch and use a pico as your second switch. There are other smart switches Lutron makes that have hard wired devices instead of the pico.


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[LarryFine]

My first instinct is to wire as for standard switching for future changes.

Perhaps explain the difference in cost and limitations to the customer.

 

[curt swartz]

I have used Caseta a few time where the customer really wanted them. I'm not a big fan since the system is designed for DIY retrofit installation.

I would recommend stepping up to RadioRA Select. You don't need certification like you do for RA2 and RA3. Doing so allows you to use Maestro Dimmers and Remotes.

We have had dimming issues on a number of projects with Caseta. The Maestro Pro is a much better dimmer. Does both Forward Phase and Reverse Phase.

The other advantage of RA Select is in the future if the customer wants to add other devices to the system that are not available with Caseta or Select they can upgrade to RA2 or RA3. There is no upgrade path with Caseta. All switches must be replaced.

 

[James L]

I've used Caseta/Pico in remodel jobs where the customer wanted 2 switches mounted on a pocket door, and wanted all the switches to match so they wouldn't be fumbling around with various styles. Twice so far

One of them had multiple entry points to a kitchen, with 3-ways for main lights, pendants, and even under cabinet lighting.

I wired everything for single pole switches, then installed Caseta/Pico combinations.

It worked great, and I'd do it a thousand times over.

The only issue was explaining to the inspector why I had empty 2-gang boxes, a 3-gang with only one switch wired in it, etc

 

[AC\DC]

The RadioRa3 training is easy, and the new software is super simple. Plus there new sunnata switch’s are very nice.
Go get certified.

 

[Fred B]

Does building code recognize the pico switch utilization on a rewire when an obvious 2nd or more switches should be required? I believe in a re-wire renovation situation it would need to be wired to the code as if you are installing "normal" switches. Normally every room entry point has to include a switch to turn on the lighting for the room.

Those Lutron switches were primarily designed to add switching where original wiring didn't support the adding switches for additional entry points.

 

[Electromatic]

We've done several projects in the past few years and under different AHJs that were almost exclusively Lutron Powpaks(relays) and wireless switches. The plans were approved that way, and the installations passed inspections.