Advice Anyone use smart light switches?

[Moriath]

If so what make? What do i need to consider?

seems theres only a few that are homekit ready. I looked at lightwave rf.

any gotchas if i try and expand later? And what does it mean a neutral wire. Obviously its not truely neutral as it needs to arry a current right?
cheers

 

[Deebs]

Do not use Lightwave RF, it is one-directional last time I checked. ie your homehub/automation controller will not know if a switch is on or off.

If you search here I use LightWave and also now with Echo and Samsung Smartthings (provides a bridge between Alexa and ZWave) I also can use Zigbee devices.

 

[dysfunction]

And what does it mean a neutral wire. Obviously its not truely neutral as it needs to arry a current right?
cheers

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[Scouse]

So smart light switches are the way to go now, not smart bulbs??

 

[Moriath]

So smart light switches are the way to go now, not smart bulbs??

I think so. but i am no expert.

 

[Deebs]

So smart light switches are the way to go now, not smart bulbs??

It depends, it can be cheaper to use smart light switches as they allow you to not be tied in to say Philips Hue but can use ordinary LED light bulbs. My lounge has 8 dimmable (but dumb) LED GU10 spotlights, no fucking way am I going to buy 8 smart versions when I only needed to spend £40 to be able to turn them on/off/dim remotely, with automation or via Alexa. Also, you can also convert your sockets into smart sockets using the same technology or different if so desired.

As my sockets are all 50mm deep I simply bought zwave controllers for the sockets I want to automate and place them in the spare space behind the socket, I simply then leave the sockets "always on" and the controller actually turns the power on or off.

One scene I have in my house is if my smoke detectors detect smoke then all lights are instantly turned on.

 

[dysfunction]

It depends, it can be cheaper to use smart light switches as they allow you to not be tied in to say Philips Hue but can use ordinary LED light bulbs. My lounge has 8 dimmable (but dumb) LED GU10 spotlights, no fucking way am I going to buy 8 smart versions when I only needed to spend £40 to be able to turn them on/off/dim remotely, with automation or via Alexa. Also, you can also convert your sockets into smart sockets using the same technology or different if so desired.

As my sockets are all 50mm deep I simply bought zwave controllers for the sockets I want to automate and place them in the spare space behind the socket, I simply then leave the sockets "always on" and the controller actually turns the power on or off.

One scene I have in my house is if my smoke detectors detect smoke then all lights are instantly turned on.

You should do this if the smoke detectors are activated:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhVvv0aUNkA

 

[Deebs]

You should do this if the smoke detectors are activated:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhVvv0aUNkA

Fucking hell, I am not going to get any work done now.

I also have Philips Hue Play in the lounge that can do the millions of colours. Fucksake @dysfunction

 

[Moriath]

You should do this if the smoke detectors are activated:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhVvv0aUNkA

Sounds like red alert on the enterprise haha

 

[dysfunction]

Sounds like red alert on the enterprise haha

Yes it is I think