Advice on smart light switches.

peter_h1979

Hey Guys,

I need some advice on smart light switches.

We just started an extension on our house. We gutting the kitchen and back "play room" and combining them into open plan. As the the new open plan kitchen will be completely rewired I was thinking of taking the opportunity to put in some smart light switches.

Now I did some research and found out that most smart switches need a neutral wire and that most Irish homes don't have neutral wires for the the light switches.

Has anyone here put in smart light switches?

Which ones did ye use?

What did ye do regarding the neutral wire?

Thanks.

dam099

I think more recently built houses tend to have a neutral at the switch (mine does and its nearly 18 years old) and rewiring these days it's probably likely they would run neutral (and you could always explicitly ask that they do).

I actually use a few switches that don't require neutral anyway but always best to have the flexibility for the future if rewiring anyway, I would expect its just a case of running a cable with an extra core so shouldn't really cost much more if anything.

Pataman

I have left all my switches in place but installed sonoff mini's.

That way it meets wife approval factor.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158726#Comment_121158726

I have Candeo dimmer switches in my kitchen and livingroom. They work just as normal, with the benefit of smart home controls.

My only gripe is they don't have additional features like a double tap, which would be nice for cabinet lights in the kitchen.

emaherx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314935/advice-on-smart-light-switches

The smart switches can be installed at the ceiling rose and still use the normal wall switch, Shelly mini should suit this.

But wiring in the new extension should have neutral at the switch. Insist on it.

peter_h1979

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121158951#Comment_121158951

Hey thanks for the response. While researching this myself I ended up coming to a similar conclusion regarding the shelly relays. Unfortunately on the shelly site the mini is listed as "unavailable". However the plus 1 is available, with this work also? Also would it work if you had a dimmer switch (we may not have a dimmer switch we haven't decided on that yet).

https://www.shelly.com/en-ie/products/product-overview/shelly-plus-1

emaherx

1 plus should also work but it's a bit bigger so a little harder to fit depending on the size of your ceiling roses/ wall boxes.

Dimmer version should work without neutral, but be careful what bulbs you use as they are not all dimmable. Non dimmable bulbs may just buzz and/or flicker if you try dimming them.

peter_h1979

Ok thanks. Fitting it would be the electricians job considering the kitchen is being completely replaced I'm guessing the should be able to make space. Thanks.

Curry Addict

i replaced all my light switches with no neutral wifi smart switches. they work great and simple enought to install.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yagusmart-Neutral-Required-Compatible-Function/dp/B07Z383M1T/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3AZC6VCME6T3Q&keywords=wifi%2Blight%2Bswitch%2Bno%2Bneutral&qid=1699827032&sprefix=wifi%2Blight%2Bswitch%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-9&th=1