I have a few GE Enbrighten switches. Never really liked them, but they got the minimum job done and was a useful step in the long smart home journey. (Wemo, Wink, and Alexas were the first three steps before discovering Hubitat).
Relocated a couple very important switches from 3 gang boxes to single gang locations and they appeared to work better for a couple years. Now, one of them is producing an electronic buzzing sound. Is this the beginning of its EOL? Are the GE Enbrighten switches "repairable" by replacing capacitors?
I think I saw a youtube video somewhere that showed which capacitors to replace when they stopped functioning.
I had many of these switches and over time they have been dying. Some of the old ones have a 5 year warranty, not sure if that is still the case. If you have proof of purchase GE will replace them. I did not have proof of purchase but I was told they would replace one, but if I had any others I needed to show a receipt. Just been replacing them with Zooz when they die.
Is this a switch (with a relay) as opposed to a dimmer (solid state)? If a switch, and especially if you recently had a power glitch, I'd suspect it is the capacitor issue.
Take a look at the date code on the front of the switch. If it is from 2017 (maybe +/- 1 year), take a picture of that and contact byjasco.com and see if they will replace it. Side note: Other than having their name leased out for marketing purposes, GE has nothing to do with these.
It sounds like the OP switch is still working. When any of mine started making noise they didn't work.
As @velvetfoot mentioned I would check for a loose arcing wire for sure.
I have done the capacitor swap and honestly, unless you have the proper equipment, it's a PIA. I just replace the switches now. I think I only have 2 or 3 left in the house. I wait until zooz has a sale on switches and order a few for my personal inventory.
I'm planning on doing the same. I've seen those videos too long ago to remember if it's worth it.
I'll have to open and check. I know things can become loose over time. The current buzz sounds like some brands of LED bulbs when dimmed.
Yes, switch, not dimmer. Thank you about the year thing. I'll have to do that. Do you think they would replace others at the same time too?
Yes, it's still working perfectly fine except for the hum/buzz. It's not very loud and happened to realized the sound was coming from the switch mostly on accident, so don't really know how long it's been going on. I have the iron, heat sinks, solder, flux, etc, but I'm getting to the age where I don't want to muck about too much.
Thank you, everyone, I'll be on the lookout for deals on replacement switches. Maybe I'll just get rid of the Jascos at one go. There is one Jasco switch that seems to be the repeater for the few devices that use repeaters and I suspect that issues on my zwave are actually due to that one switch acting as a repeater, even though there are SOOO many other zwave repeater neighbors. This buzzing switch gives me an excuse to purge the Jasco switches.
Given the further details you've given, I think it is less likely to be the capacitor issue. With that, what you hear would be a clicking of the relay, not a hum. Still, I'd be curious what model of switch and the date code (which is on the front, so does not require removing the switch from the box). Also, what load is on the switch - just an LED light bulb, or something more interesting?
Do as you like, but other than the infamous 2017 capacitor issue, the Jasco devices (sold under multiple names) have been very reliable for me. I've probably got 25+ in my house going strong. And I am quite pleased that as recently as 2024, they were honoring the warranty 7 years out ... more than double what the actual warranty was.
That doesn't mean that would be my pick today for a green field install. But I have no incentive to replace them.
I am only replacing mine when they die. It's almost always after a power outage or having to turn off a breaker or some reason. When power is restored, and if that circuit has a GE/Jasco switch I would say it's 50/50 if it will die.
Just an LED light or two in the closet. I couldn't find anything engraved as a date. There was a sticker on the bottom right only large enough to have 1816 on it. Jan 8, 2016 maybe? Model ZW4005.
Checked. Nothing loose. Tightened while I was in there, just in case. Checked wire nuts too.
On deeper inspection, the sound is definitely coming from the bowels of the switch itself. It only buzzes when the switch is ON.
