Smart switches

pramsay13

I'm looking to change our light switches over to smart switches, but want to do it myself if possible. Is it as easy as changing a normal light switch and are there any recommendations for manufacturers?

Martin_the_Unjust

No it’s not simple, most of them require three wires to the switch while most British houses only have two.

Easiest way is probably using smart bulbs.

FreeBear

Whilst there are some smart switches that claim to operate without a neutral, quite a few of them will leave the lights flickering. If the conduit down to each light switch is big enough, it is worth getting a reel of 1mm² or 1.5mm² 6181Y cable. Connect one end to the neutral in the light fitting, run it down the conduit, and then wire it in to the smart switch.

You will also need to make sure the back boxes are at least 35mm deep to accommodate the electronic gubbins behind the switch.

I've been buying a few Sonoff knock-offs on ebay, flashing them with Tasmota, and then integrating with my home automation system. Not for everyone, but I do it because I can.

Carrot007

Martin_the_Unjust said:

No it’s not simple, most of them require three wires to the switch while most British houses only have two.

Easiest way is probably using smart bulbs.

This!

For switches you need a neutral in there (or some bodge).

But why. Leave the switch on. Get a bulb. You can then also control colour/white temp and brightness a lot easier. (and for anyone coming into the house a slow on and off an on again will give light! (do it fast it may go into sync mode).

And alwyas on means no power loss as your way the switch would need to be always on! Something does and it uses not a lot of pence (even currently!).

FreeBear

Carrot007 said: But why. Leave the switch on. Get a bulb. You can then also control colour/white temp and brightness a lot easier.

All well and good until your phone/tablet/whatever has a flat battery or gets lost. For the devices that connect via WiFi (some use Bluetooth) and the internet, you are at the mercy of some random web site being available 24/7/365. In some areas of the country, I wouldn't rely on a stable internet connection for more than a day or two.

Doozergirl

We have LightwaveRF which I still
haven't set up properly because I'm getting old and cba, but the rooms I have done work well.  

It's always important that everything is compatible - switches, drivers, dimming bulbs.  Lightwave have a list and their customer service is pretty helpful too.  

We didn't need three wires.  It was a late consideration for us. 

You don't need wifi all the time, they still
switch like switches, you do need wifi for room scenes and the dimming.  Nothing's over 1W in the house and every room
has a few switches so it's never going to overload the grid with the overall amount of light coming out of our house even if there's
no wifi.