Ratings & Reviews for Utilitech Lighting Timer

Great time for the price

This time was easy to install and easy to program . A- lot of options for Less than $20.

Works Great!

I wanted to add a timer to control my outside garage door lights, without having to purchase 2 dusk-to-dawn lights, and this was exactly what I needed. Wiring was a little tricky, but I figured it out pretty quick. Great product and works nicely!

Easy Install

Easy installation for a homeowner! Really awesome features, the random setting allows flexible time to have a controlled light come on and go off at 15-minute intervals at no specific time.

Mostly good, but.....

I can not get the dusk to dawn feature to work on this timer. I set up my time zone and latitude setting to south, but whether I leave it on dusk-to-dawn or Automatic, it does not turn my lights on in the evening and off in the morning, which is why I bought it.

Countdown Lighting Timer

I found two things I did not like about this timer. First, when setting the timer for on/off and days, you must cycle through all the options with a function key to get one setting. For example, when setting the timer for Sunday, you cycle through days/months/year/am-pm/hours/minutes for the first setting, then on the next day, you must go through this same process again and again for on/off, start and stop times. The second thing I did not like was the very small font used by the LED timer,...

Sub-standard terminal screws strip easily!

I have installed many of these type of timers (several different brands), in 3 different homes over the years and this brand was the only one I could not finish the install because the terminal screws that hold the wires in place stripped their threads with little effort on my part. Undeterred, I opened up the unit by removing the two screws holding the back on to with the intent to replace the stripped screws and discovered that the screws are crimped in the back so that they can not be removed...

It's great, but, you need a "neutral" (white) wire

Not really sure what the negative reviews are about for this switch. This in-wall timer does just what it's designed to do. Installation, depending on your house's particular wiring situation, might require you to add a length of white (neutral) wire installed in the "N" slot on the back of the switch, to the pigtail of white wire which is likely tucked into the back of the box. The switch does come with a (way too short) length of white coated wire, but, other than that, follow the programming ...

Inferior Terminals

One of the terminal screws stripped out while wiring it. I then read all the other reviews with similar complaints. Of course, Lowe's issued a refund with no questions asked. Good service. I tightened the terminal screws a little more gingerly the second time around. I guess only time will tell if the connections will hold. I am not a pro, but I have done a great deal of DIY electrical work, and I have never previously experienced this problem with a wiring device. It has always been my p...

Cannot Secure Wire Conductors

The screw material at the four termination points is so poor that the screw threads strip before you can tighten the connection properly. I bought two of these timers and both of them stripped when trying to connect the hot wire. When did Lowe's start selling electrical components that are made in China? Very disappointed. A loose wiring connection could be a serious fire safety concern. These units should be pulled from their shelves.

High Tech

After reading the directions I returned this unit, too complex for my simple needs.

Requires Neutral Wires

Before you buy you need to check your electrical box to see if you have all required wires, including a white neutral wire in addition to the standard ground and hot wires. If you are replacing a typical rocker switch you may not be able to just swap it out. I called customer service and they confirmed that the unit requires a ground, a load, a hot and neutral wires.

Simply Awesome!

I have a carport where a solar switch wouldn't work on my light so I thought I would try this and it solved my problem! You do need to know how to wire this up but if you have a multimeter you should be fine! The trick with the wiring is to know on your existing switch, which wire is the one that goes to the light and which one is always hot! If you reverse these wires the unit will still work but it'll be running on batteries, so if the unit display goes out then you need to switch the wires at...

Screws stripped out

Screw stripped out on two different ones I got. I thought the first stripped out one was me then I bought another and it was the same thing. Now have to find a different timer because I don't like this one.

Settings

I feel that the timer instructions could have been simpler to use. You must retain instructions to make any changes as it is not so simple

Misleading instructions

You must buy your own neutral wire, hook one end on to the switch while bundling the other end to the neutral wires already in the switch box. The instructions DO NOT tell you this. I had to find this out on my own and it has taken a couple days. This model no longer has the pigtailed wires sticking out from the back of the switch. Buy Honeywell switch not this one.

Excellent Timer Switch

I liked the price and design. Timer works great with my LED light bulbs. Very easy to install and program. Very pleased with my purchase.

This is confusing in the beginning but get better

Reliable timer comes on time and shuts off on time everyday. You can count on it. Previously my home on the outside used to be really dark in winter. Now it is bright even before I get home. No need to worry about constantly forgetting to turn the lights on or off. Saves on light bills. Glad I got it

Timer is adequate replacement

This was bought to replace a similar item that was more functional as to knowing the sunrise/sunset, etc. Ir was easier to program than the unit it replaced but had slightly less functionality. It is satisfactory.

Great little device for timing my porch lights.

I gave it a 4 because of 2 issues, that If they were in the instructions, i could have saved hours setting up. !) the screws strip out if you tighten too tight, I stripped out the ground screw and had to return it to Lowes. 2) Programming it didn't work, until I read in another review, that the set/re button is momentary. I kept holding it down too long, sending it back to time, after I set the year. Upgrade the instructions please, to help the next guy! Also: Calling the Utilitech help line d...