Light Switch Wiring Confusion?

electrical pipes are called "electrical metal tubing" (EMT) or "conduit" (which could also refer to other materials).

The presence of the red wires implies a three-way switch. Leave all of that alone.

The one you're replacing is a simple SPST (single-pole, single-throw) switch that connects those two black wires together when it's "on".

The timer you have is apparently electronic (it's simpler to install a 2-wire mechanical one), since it has a white (neutral) wire. The white from pipe 1 should be connected to the white of pipe 2, as otherwise it would not appear to be a "neutral". You would need someone to figure that out for you with a meter.

You could try removing the two blacks from switch A, attaching one to black on the new timer, the other to the red of the timer, white to the white of Pipe 1, and ground to ground. If it doesn't work, you can swap the black/red and black/black connections, since only one of them has unswitched power.

Of course, if you mess it up, and something catches fire, or you get electrocuted, it's all your fault for not having the sense to hire someone who knows how to deal with high voltages.

A switch is just like cutting a single wire to make a light go off, and when you put the 2 wires together the light goes on. One of the black wires going to the switch is the hot, the other black wire is going to the load (light bulb or receptacle etc). black is a hot wire coming from one circuit breaker, red is usually coming from another circuit breaker. white is the neutral wire. the timer needs power so one side of the timer circuit needs to hook up to black or red(hot) and the other side of the timer circuit needs a neutral(white). the timer controlled switch contacts need a black wire from the line(hot from circuit breaker) to the other black wire going to the load(light bulb receptacle etc.)

from your description, timer needs red white black and ground. the timer may be powered by black and white. the black wire may also feed one side of the switched contacts inside the timer. the red may run up to the load.

But you can get electrocuted or burn your house down if you don't know what you are doing so call a licensed electrician to do the work, or read the instructions that you did get with the timer.

There is a little complication here. Yes a switch just cuts off the "hot" power wire and restores it. Butt the timer may need the white connected to neutral to complete the circuit to run the timer. So that white would go to white NORMALLY. BUT (the complication) is someone may have used a white to run a three way switch (needs three wires) and did not label that white as a hot instead of a neutral. So you need to verify that white you hook to is indeed a neutral. THEN it will be black and red to switch ,white to VERIFIED NEUTRAL WHITE.

without seeing a schematic, I wouldn't try to tell you how to wire it up. However, first thing first..... turn off the power. Locate and isolate the ground, and the common. That should leave a white and red as the main in/out circuit. for best result, google the problem!

Whoever final under pressure those lighting fixtures fixtures bypassed the wall change. it incredibly is totally suitable, after all a change has a stay connection, as do modern-day ceiling roses, so there's no reason there should not be a stay connection interior the physique of the lamps. it may additionally be suitable to rewire the wall change so as that it incredibly is the best change.

By hiring a qualified electrician to do the connections. Don't try to save a couple bucks and end up burning your home down....... nuff said?