Adaptor Assistance for 3-Wire Smart Switches

When a Bulb or Fixture Adaptor is needed, and how to install the adaptor.

Jump to install instructions for the Bulb Adaptor or Fixture Adaptor:

How to Install the Bulb Adaptor

How to Install the Fixture Adaptor 

When the Bulb or Fixture Adaptor is Required for CYNC and C by GE 3-Wire Smart Switches

Depending on the bulb type or the wattage of your lights, you may experience functionality issues that would require the use of the Cync/C by GE Bulb Adaptor (included in box) or the Fixture Adaptor (available through Cync Customer Service). Issues you could experience include:
 

• Flickering lights
• No power, or unstable power, to the Cync/C by GE switch
• Lights powered off at the switch, but still displaying a low level of light
• Poor dimming performance after switch is connected to Cync app
• Unable to pair the Cync/C by GE switch to the Cync app
• Unstable Wi-Fi connectivity to the Cync/C by GE switch

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it could be because your lights do not meet the 15W minimum load requirement, or you are using incompatible light bulbs. Click here for a list of light bulbs that are compatible with our 3-Wire Smart Switches, as long as they meet the 15W minimum load requirement.
 

First, it’s important to understand what light bulbs our 3-Wire switches are compatible with. They are compatible with:

• Incandescent/Halogen light bulbs
• Dimmable LEDs
• Non-Dimmable LEDs
• Cync and C by GE smart light bulbs

NOTE: While setting up the switch in the Cync app, be sure to select the correct load/bulb type as you may experience poor performance if the wrong load is selected.
 

Second, do the lights on your circuit meet the 15W minimum load requirement of our 3-Wire switches?
 

NOTE: It’s important to check the actual wattage—not the replacement wattage—printed on the bulb or package to determine the total wattage on your circuit.

If your lights DO meet the minimum load requirement:

If your lights DO NOT meet the minimum load requirement:

If the bulb adaptor does not fit your bulb or fixture, you have other options:

• Replace your lights with light bulbs that do meet the 15W minimum load requirement. Click here for a list of light bulbs that are compatible with our 3-Wire Smart Switches.
• You can install our Fixture Adaptor to the actual fixture in the ceiling. 

How to Install the Bulb Adaptor 

Our Cync/C by GE 3-Wire Switch includes a Bulb Adaptor in every box. Based on your lighting setup, the Bulb Adaptor might be required to ensure proper operation of the 3-Wire switch/dimmer with your lights.

1. Only one bulb adaptor is needed per switch, even if there are multiple bulbs on the circuit. Simply twist the bulb adaptor onto the base of one bulb and screw into the fixture.

How to Install the Fixture Adaptor 

Step 1:  Identify Load Type

1. When controlling an LED, CFL, of Fluorescent with the 3-Wire switch this Fixture Adaptor
2. If your light bulbs do not meet the 15W minimum load requirement, or, if your lights do meet the minimum 15W load requirement but they are either non-dimmable bulbs or Cync/C by GE smart bulbs, this Fixture Adaptor is required to ensure proper operation of the switch with your lights. For details on when an adaptor is required, click here. 
3. After installing your Cync/C by GE 3-Wire Switch, if the lights on that circuit start flickering or display a low light level when the switch is off, the adaptor is required.

Step 2:  TURN OFF POWER BEFORE INSTALLING THE ADAPTOR

1. Turn off the power for the switch and fixture location at the circuit breaker box.

Step 3:  Choose Installation Location

1. The Fixture Adaptor must be connected to the Neutral and the switched hot feed to the Load. Install the fixture adaptor inside a load fixture or inside the switch box location.

Step 4:  Installing the Fixture Adaptor in a Light Fixture

1. Connect one wire on the adaptor to the Neutral wire.
2. Connect the remaining wire on the adaptor to the fixture hot wire.

Step 4:  Installing the Fixture Adaptor in a Light Switch

1. Connect one wire on the adaptor to the Neutral wire.
2. Connect the remaining wire on the adaptor to the switch hot wire.

Step 5:  Confirm Installation

1. Once your fixture and switch are secured and no wires are exposed, turn power back on at the circuit breaker. Confirm your lights work properly when you turn off your lights at the Cync/C by GE switch. In some very rare cases, your lights may still flicker or display a low level of light. If this happens, a different load type might be required.