Apparatus and method for commissioning and controlling a device over a network

A multimode switch includes a line voltage switch, coupled to a line voltage and a device; a switch controller, responsive to first messages received over a network, that directs the line voltage switch to provide line voltage to, and subsequently remove line voltage from, the device, and that receives first identifying information and a functional group designation for the device in second messages over the network, and that controls the device according to the first identifying information and the functional group designation via transmission of third messages over the network; and a ground leakage power supply, coupled to an AC hot line and to an earth ground, that generates a regulated voltage to power the switch controller without requiring connection to an AC neutral line, while limiting ground leakage current to the earth ground to a prescribed leakage value.