Leviton Switch Review: Why the 60 Minute Timer Switch Beats a Smart Switch for Most Offices — Plus TB200 and RA8HC Spark Plug Tips

If you're looking for a Leviton switch, the smart switch might not be the one you actually need. The Leviton 60 minute timer switch has saved us more frustration than any Wi-Fi model I've ordered. That's not the answer most people expect, but after managing electrical and maintenance parts for a 120-person office since 2020, it's the honest one. There's a place for the Leviton smart switch, and I'll tell you where, but the timer is the part I reorder without thinking.

At least, that's been my experience with standard office construction. If you're dealing with 277V lighting or a 4-way switch setup, the rules change. I'll get to that at the end.

Why this comes from someone who buys parts, not just reviews them

I'm an office administrator, not an electrician (not that I'm a licensed anything, honestly). My job is to make sure the building runs and the invoices don't get rejected. I manage about 60 to 80 orders a year across lighting, electrical, and small-engine maintenance. That includes Leviton switches for conference rooms and spark plugs for backup generators.

One vendor failure in 2023 changed how I think about ordering. They gave me a handwritten receipt, finance rejected the $2,400 expense, and I learned to verify specs and paperwork before I buy. That's why this Leviton smart switch review leans heavily on wiring compatibility rather than flashy features.

Leviton smart switch review: the short version

If you want to control lights from your phone or set a schedule, a Leviton smart switch is a solid choice. The app works, setup is straightforward, and the build quality feels like it belongs in a commercial building. But you need to know which version to order. A lot of the requests I get focus on features and completely miss the wiring requirement.

Most smart switches need a neutral wire in the switch box. If your building is newer, that's usually fine. If you're doing a retrofit, it's kinda rare to find one. Leviton makes no-neutral models for situations like that, and that's the version I'd order for older construction. Put another way: the smart features don't matter if the switch doesn't fit your circuit.

One more wiring gotcha: if you have a 3-way or 4-way circuit, you can't just grab any single-pole switch. You need a model that supports multi-location control. That mistake has happened more than once in projects I've been around, and it always leads to an extra order and a delayed project.

The Leviton 60 minute timer switch is the hidden gem

This is the one I recommend when someone asks for a 'smart' switch but really wants a switch that stops wasting electricity. The Leviton 60 minute timer switch does one thing: it runs the light or fan for a set time and then shuts off. You turn the knob, and it counts down. That's it.

No app. No firmware updates. No pairing issues. For a bathroom exhaust fan or a utility room light, that's actually a benefit. I do not want to troubleshoot a Wi-Fi connection because someone left the fan running overnight.

It's also priced well below the smart switch in public distributor listings I checked in January 2025. If you only need countdown timing, buy the timer and save the difference.

Before you order, check the load rating on Leviton's spec sheet. The 60-minute timer switch is designed for certain lighting and fan loads. If you're trying to control a large motor or a commercial exhaust fan that exceeds the rating, this isn't the part for you. That's not a flaw; it's a spec.

TB200 and RA8HC spark plugs: same lesson from a different shelf

Stick with me here. The reason I order spark plugs alongside switches is that a backup generator doesn't care about your brand loyalty. It cares about parts. Two part numbers I've ordered regularly are TB200 spark plugs and RA8HC spark plugs. They show up in small engines and older generator sets.

A TB200 spark plug and an RA8HC spark plug are not interchangeable in every engine, even when they look similar. The thread length and heat range are different, and you can damage equipment by guessing. When you're managing a building, the same rule applies as with smart switches: match the part to the equipment.

I keep a small inventory of two of each in the maintenance closet. That way, when the generator won't start, we don't have to wait for a delivery. The cost is small compared to the downtime.

How to clean a spark plug (and when not to)

The question I get most often is how to clean a spark plug. The honest answer: yes, you can clean one, but it's usually a stopgap, not a fix.

Everything I'd read about cleaning spark plugs said you can just wire-brush them and get another season. In practice, I've found that only works if the plug is lightly fouled. If it's oil-fouled or the electrode is rounded, cleaning won't save it.

If you're going to try it: remove the plug, brush off carbon with a wire brush, spray a little carb cleaner, wipe it dry, and check the gap with a gap tool. Reinstall if the gap matches the spec. If the ceramic is cracked or the electrode looks worn, replace it. For TB200 and RA8HC, replacement is cheap. I've had better luck replacing them on schedule than cleaning them in an emergency.

One more tip: use a stable socket and avoid over-tightening when you reinstall the plug. Over-tightening is a common way to ruin an aluminum cylinder head. The best part of finally getting on a replacement schedule: no more emergency calls in August.

When to ignore my advice

This advice assumes standard office wiring and someone who knows how to turn off the breaker. If your building has 277V lighting circuits or a 4-way switch setup, stop and call a licensed electrician. I do not mean that as a hedge. I mean it as a scope limit.

Also, if you're renting a space and the landlord controls the electrical panels, talk to them before changing switches. A smart switch you install today can become a problem when you move out.

Honest limitation: I recommend the timer for simple countdown jobs, but if you need remote access from an app, the timer is not a substitute. Buy the smart switch. The point is not that one is always better. The point is to buy the one that matches your actual problem.