What type of light switch is this?

Cornelia Schott
by Cornelia Schott
The previous owner installed this basement light switch. The switch is the first switch as you walk downstairs. This must be a timer switch. We can not figure out how to keep the lights turned off. We manually turn the lights off and then the lights are back on. Does anyone have experience with this type of switch? I removed the cover so the writing would be visible.
  12 answers
  • CK CK on Dec 19, 2014
    If you don't get answers here, you could remove it and take it to a Home Depot, Lowes, other store electrical department and see what they say. That would be free help too. Calling in an electrician (unless there's something wrong with the switch) might not be necessary. Boy,I gotta say, I've never seen one like this either. It says "remote". Did the previous owners leave any kind of remote control device? Who knows maybe they kept the remote and are playing a game with you...turning the lights on after you turn them off. ;-) Just kiddin...... ;-)
  • Bill Bill on Dec 20, 2014
    That is a remote controlled light switch, if you don't have the remote you will need to replace the switch
  • Mike Mike on Dec 20, 2014
    It's some type of home autoation switch. There are are were many brands out there. This one looks simular to the x10 protocol. The old ones were buggy at times and would turn on and off by themselves if there were surges or other minor interference on the circuit. You should simply replace it with a standard switch if this is the only one in the house. It should cost no more than 3 bucks or so.
  • Pete Wells Pete Wells on Dec 20, 2014
    I believe I'd just change the switch, replacing this with a single pole switch, unless this is a 3-way application..in other words, controlled from 2 locations...either way, the fix shouldn''t take more than 15 minutes or cost more than $2..
  • Joan Good Joan Good on Dec 20, 2014
    It's probably an x10 module. Check their website if you want to control t remotely, or just replace with a regular switch.
    • See 1 previous
    • Bel3452385 Bel3452385 on Jun 16, 2016
      It is, a wall mounted motion activated switch , turning lights (incandescent) on for a specific amount of time, and dial for sensitivity . I'm sure they have upgrades for newer type lamps
  • Renae Renae on Dec 20, 2014
    if you are turning it on, with the settings in the picture,,, it would turn off instantly, because you have it set for 12:00 on, and 12:00 off...it looks like one button may activate it manually, and the other button may activate the timer... does the cover have a little hole in it, that matches the hole pictured at the top of the switch..?? if it does, that would make it a motion sensor also... they do have combination timer, remote, motion switches... but they all should be able to be used manually, too...
  • Myrna Engle Myrna Engle on Dec 20, 2014
    I think it would be great. There are many things in the basement that needs light and then someone forgets it on. Picture a cold winter night and having to crawl out of bed and go CHECK one more time to make sure you turned off the B. lights
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Dec 21, 2014
    Sounds like a pain to me. I'd get an electrician to replace it with a normal switch.
  • Rosalie chow Rosalie chow on Oct 31, 2015
    I would consult an electrician. Please don't do it yourself unless you know what you are doing.
  • Tso5166288 Tso5166288 on Sep 23, 2016
    Says right on it: Remote Switch. Turns a light on and off from a control panel in another room. Switches for setting an address, like setting your private code on your gate or garage door opener.
  • Rosalie chow Rosalie chow on Nov 18, 2016
    If you replace this, please don't throw away the switch. This switch may be handy for making your next funky doll or craft. The switch looks like a head of a doll. Happy crafting. Happy thanksgiving to you all. Stay safe, happy and healthy.
  • Shawna Bailey Shawna Bailey on Dec 02, 2016

    You can replace the switch your self. It's usually as easy as turning off the electricity and putting the same wires to the same places.

    Sounds crazy about the light switching itself off and on, I would replace it too.