C-Wire Adapter Module - Installation Guide

C-Wire Adapter Module Installation Instructions

The Simple thermostat requires a C-wire connection for continuous power in order to maintain Wi-Fi connectivity. Some houses have a C-wire already at the thermostat, but if not you will need to use our C-Wire Adapter Module. Common configurations found in houses that are covered in this guide are:

• 4 Wire Heating and Cooling - Rh/Rc, W, Y, G
• 3 Wire A/C only - Rh/Rc, Y, G
• 2 Wire Heating only - Rh/Rc, W

Please visit http://www.thesimple.com/compatibility for more information.

Your C-Wire Adapter Module comes with, from left to right, a 1N4007 diode, a diode pair, and the C-Wire Adapter Module (pre-wired on the equipment side):

To perform the installation, you will need a small standard screwdriver, a small phillips screwdriver, and a set of wire strippers or pliers.

4 Wire - A/C and Heating with Fan Control

At the thermostat:

Shut off the power to your thermostat and remove it from the wall. You should see a wiring setup that looks similar to the image below. Take a picture of this wiring to use as reference.

Disconnect the existing wires and remove your old thermostat wall plate. Hint: wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them from falling into the hole in the wall if needed. Install the Simple thermostat’s backing. You will now need to pull out the diode pair from your C-Wire Adapter Module to continue with the installation, and follow the “thermostat” side of the wiring diagram below.

Now:

1. Insert and secure your original Rh-wire and G-wire into their correspondingly labeled connectors on the Simple thermostat wall plate.
2. Do not install the jumper wire between Rh and Rc; the Simple thermostat has an internal jumper.
3. Take your original W-wire, and move it to the C-wire position.
4. Insert your Y-wire into the top of the diode pair, and secure the set screw.

Following the wiring diagram from above, the side of the diode pair labeled W should go into the W/E slot, and the Y side into the Y slot of the backing. To do this, you should twist the Y-wire around so that the diode pair labels face the wall and then install the two leads. Do not cross these leads, as they can cause system damage if they touch while the power is on.

At the HVAC control panel:

Moving to the system panel, you will have similar wiring. Take a picture of this wiring for reference as well.

 

Remove your C-Wire Adapter Module from its box, and take off the top panel. You will see two jumpers on the side labeled “STAT,” which has no wires. Do not remove them.

Now:

1. Mount the C-Wire Adapter Module to the system panel’s wall, near the control board. Note that the kit is pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side.
2. Following the “STAT” side of the same wiring diagram from above, remove the R-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the Rh slot.
3. Remove the Y-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the Y slot.
4. Remove the W-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it to the C slot
5. Remove the G-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into G slot.

Your C-Wire Adapter Module comes pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side. Take note of these five wires (Red, Yellow, White, Blue, and Green):

Strip approximately 1 cm of the sheathing off each wire; the sheathing should already be scored to conveniently expose the wire.

Insert and secure these five wires to their corresponding terminals on the control panel.

Once all wires are secured, replace the C-Wire Adapter Module's cover, close the control panel door, and turn the power to the system back on. You may now continue with your installation process.

3 Wire - A/C-only with Fan Control

At the thermostat:

Shut off the power to your thermostat and remove it from the wall. You should see a wiring setup that looks similar to the image below. Take a picture of this wiring to use as reference.

Disconnect the existing wires and remove your old thermostat wall plate. Hint: wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them from falling into the hole in the wall if needed. Install the Simple thermostat’s backing. You will now need to pull out the diode pair from your C-Wire Adapter Module to continue with the installation, and follow the “thermostat” side of the wiring diagram below.

Now:

1. Insert and secure your original Rh-wire into its correspondingly labeled connector on the Simple thermostat wall plate.
2. Do not install the jumper wire between Rh and Rc; the Simple thermostat has an internal jumper.  
3. Take your original G-wire, and move it to the C-wire position.
4. Insert your Y-wire into the top of the diode pair, and secure the set screw.

Following the wiring diagram from above, the side of the diode pair labeled W should go into the G slot, and the Y side into the Y slot of the backing. To do this, you should turn the Y-wire around so that the diode pair labels face the wall and then install the two leads. Do not cross these leads, as they can cause system damage if they touch while the power is on.

At the HVAC control panel:

Moving to the system panel, you will have similar wiring. Take a picture of this wiring for reference as well.

Remove your C-Wire Adapter Module from the box, and take off the top panel. You will see two jumpers on the side labeled “STAT,” which has no wires. Do not remove them.

Now:

1. Mount the C-Wire Adapter Module to the system panel’s wall, near the control board. Note that the kit is pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side.
2. Following the “STAT” side of the same wiring diagram from above, remove the R-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the Rh slot.
3. Remove the Y-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the Y slot.
4. Remove the G-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the C slot.

 

Your C-Wire Adapter Module comes pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side. Take note of these five wires (Red, Yellow, White, Blue, and Green):

Strip approximately 1 cm of the sheathing of the red, white, blue, and yellow wires, and wrap the unstripped green wire out of the way. The sheathing should already be scored to conveniently expose the wire.

Insert and secure the Rh (R), Y, and C-wires to their corresponding terminals on the control panel. Following the wiring diagram from above on the “EQUIPMENT” side, take the W-wire from the “EQUIP” side of the C-Wire Adapter Module, and connect it to the G terminal on the control panel.

Once all wires are secured, replace the C-Wire Adapter Module’s cover, close the control panel door, and turn the power to the system back on. You may now continue with your installation process.

2 Wire - Heat-only

At the thermostat:

Shut off the power to your thermostat and remove it from the wall. You should see a wiring setup that looks similar to the image below. Take a picture of this wiring to use as reference.

Disconnect the existing wires and remove your old thermostat wall plate. Hint: wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them from falling into the hole in the wall if needed. Install the Simple thermostat’s backing.  You will now need to pull out the diode pair from your C-Wire Adapter Module to continue with the installation, and follow the “thermostat” side of the wiring diagram below.

Now:

1. Insert and secure your original Rh-wire its correspondingly labeled connector on the Simple thermostat wall plate.
2. Do not install the jumper wire between Rh and Rc; the Simple thermostat has an internal jumper.
3. Insert your W-wire into the top of the diode pair, and secure the set screw.

Following the wiring diagram from above, the side of the diode pair labeled W should go into the W/E slot, and the Y side into the C slot of the backing. To do this, you should turn the Y-wire around so that the diode pair labels face the wall and then install the two leads. Do not cross these leads, as they can cause system damage if they touch while the power is on.

At the HVAC control panel:

Moving to the system panel, you will have similar wiring. Take a picture of this wiring for reference as well.

 

Remove your C-Wire Adapter Module from the box, and take off the top panel. You will see two jumpers on the side labeled “STAT,” which has no wires. Remove them.

Before Removal

After Removal

Now:

1. Mount the C-Wire Adapter Module to the system panel’s wall, near the control board. Note that the kit is pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side.
2. Following the “STAT” side of the same wiring diagram from above, remove the R-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the Rh slot.
3. Remove the W-wire from the control panel, and insert and secure it into the W slot.
4. You will now need the supplied 1N4007 diode, which has a silver stripe on one side. Attach the striped side of the diode to the W slot, and the other side to the C slot.

Your C-Wire Adapter Module comes pre-wired on the “EQUIP” side. Take note of these five wires (Red, Yellow, White, Blue, and Green):

Strip approximately 1 cm of the sheathing of the red, white, and blue wires, and wrap the unstripped green and yellow wires out of the way. The sheathing should already be scored to conveniently expose the wire.

Match the Rh (R), W, and C-wires to their corresponding terminals on the control panel.

Once all wires are secured, replace the C-Wire Adapter Module’s cover, close the control panel door, and turn the power to the system back on. You may now continue with your installation process.