.....From wall to touchable dimmer switch to back to zero ??

alykhalil1

Are these the types of photos you wanted ???   So.. what have we finally decided ?....what about the 2 blue wires going into a plastic connector  ????...& the yellow cable ???  

many thanks all.
AK

scottishblondie

I wouldn’t remove the switch entirely - we have several ceiling lights that I’ve put smart bulbs into and sometimes I need to fall back on the physical switch. For example if Alexa stops working, internet goes down, or if I need to reset the smart bulb. I would put a regular switch back in and tape up her the rocker to stop it being accidentally switched off. 

Bendy_House

Thanks - yes.

That shows the two browns in 'Live' (so these WILL be live all the time the CU/MCB is turned on), and one brown in 'load', which is the light.

BEFORE you undo anything, get some tape, wrap a neat 'flag' of it on EACH wire, and LABLE them...

And then Grumb's suggestion above is fine. 

GDB2222

alykhalil1 said:

Are these the types of photos you wanted ???   So.. what have we finally decided ?....what about the 2 blue wires going into a plastic connector  ????...& the yellow cable ???  

many thanks all.
AK

Leave the blue wires as they are.

The green and yellow wire is the earth, and you won’t need that if you have a plastic switch. So, just tuck it out of the way.

FreeBear

scottishblondie said:

I wouldn’t remove the switch entirely - we have several ceiling lights that I’ve put smart bulbs into and sometimes I need to fall back on the physical switch. For example if Alexa stops working, internet goes down, or if I need to reset the smart bulb. I would put a regular switch back in and tape up her the rocker to stop it being accidentally switched off. 

Or a key operated switch - https://www.toolstation.com/click-mode-key-switch/p34984

greensalad

victor2 said:

Why blank the switch off? Just leave it permanently on, so Alexa has master control. Then when Alexa has a strop you can easily go back to a switch. Might make it a little bit safer when you have to replace the bulb too.

Could even replace the touch switch with a cheaper on/off switch, and use the dimmer elsewhere.

That's what we do in our house. All our bulbs are Philips Hue smart bulbs. Hue switches on the wall and the main switches just permanently on. Although it does annoy me when guests turn the lights off at the switch!

Or blanking plate or key switch in place of the switch as others have said. But I do find having a real switch is helpful occasionally.

alykhalil1

scottishblondie said:

I wouldn’t remove the switch entirely - we have several ceiling lights that I’ve put smart bulbs into and sometimes I need to fall back on the physical switch. For example if Alexa stops working, internet goes down, or if I need to reset the smart bulb. I would put a regular switch back in and tape up her the rocker to stop it being accidentally switched off. 

I understand what you mean and i am a person who alwz believed in backup plans.....

Bendy_House

FreeBear said:

scottishblondie said:

I wouldn’t remove the switch entirely - we have several ceiling lights that I’ve put smart bulbs into and sometimes I need to fall back on the physical switch. For example if Alexa stops working, internet goes down, or if I need to reset the smart bulb. I would put a regular switch back in and tape up her the rocker to stop it being accidentally switched off. 

Or a key operated switch - https://www.toolstation.com/click-mode-key-switch/p34984

Surely the best overall solution! Can be overrid when needed, but is flush and neat - and idiot-proof otherwise.

Apodemus

Bendy_House said:

FreeBear said:

scottishblondie said:

I wouldn’t remove the switch entirely - we have several ceiling lights that I’ve put smart bulbs into and sometimes I need to fall back on the physical switch. For example if Alexa stops working, internet goes down, or if I need to reset the smart bulb. I would put a regular switch back in and tape up her the rocker to stop it being accidentally switched off. 

Or a key operated switch - https://www.toolstation.com/click-mode-key-switch/p34984

Surely the best overall solution! Can be overrid when needed, but is flush and neat - and idiot-proof otherwise.

...until the idiot can't remember where they put the key!  

scottishblondie

A key operated switch is something I considered. However, I’ve got 4 switches I would need to replace (££) and 3 of them are directly next to another switch that I would want to match. So a piece of electrical tape was the cheapest and easiest solution!!