Does my light fitting have a switched neutral for a smart light switch

Psygnosis · 11-02-2019 02:16PM #1

Hi
As the title says does my light switch contain a neutral feel so I can use a wifi light switch with IFTTT
The connection with the 2 wires go to a connection on the switch thay says Com

I bought a wireless dimmer switch from amazon I can the switch to come alive but it does not switch the lights on or dim them. I've since switched it back to the original
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FMTYF34/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dr4gul4 · 11-02-2019 04:36PM

Whats in the backbox ? switches dont carry neutral as they only "switch" the live.

oinkely · 11-02-2019 04:39PM

Nope, No neutral in that pic (to the best of my unqualified but somewhat experienced opinion).

Are there any blue cables hiding in the back of the switch box?

ted1 · 11-02-2019 05:02PM

No. Just get a smart bulb or a so off relay and terminate it at the light fitting and throw it into ceiling void

Tefral · 11-02-2019 05:03PM

Lightwave RF smart switches dont need one. Im sure the GETDEN ones dont either.

Dr4gul4 · 11-02-2019 05:14PM

Note:
1.The switch originally needed a neutral line to install and use,but for some old houses, a third party may be needed.That is need Neutral wire, Line and Load are required.

You 100% need a neutral in there somewhere.

Psygnosis · 11-02-2019 05:48PM

Had a look in the back back nothing in there. Its a pretty heavy light chandelier so wont be disconnecting that to have a look
The lightwaverf gen 2 stuff looks like it would work but its super expensive
Energenie as well but reviews on amazon are so so
Getden is expensive and aesthetically lacking.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoswit-Smart-Dimmer-Switch-Wireless/dp/B07FSCX25G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549831495&sr=8-3&keywords=yoswit%2Bsmart%2Bdimmer%2Bswitch&th=1
This as well but not smart capable yet although they say it will be.
Back to the drawing board I think.

Any one give a recommendation on any of the above

ted1 · 11-02-2019 06:24PM

Psygnosis wrote: »

Had a look in the back back nothing in there. Its a pretty heavy light chandelier so wont be disconnecting that to have a look
The lightwaverf gen 2 stuff looks like it would work but its super expensive
Energenie as well but reviews on amazon are so so
Getden is expensive and aesthetically lacking.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoswit-Smart-Dimmer-Switch-Wireless/dp/B07FSCX25G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549831495&sr=8-3&keywords=yoswit%2Bsmart%2Bdimmer%2Bswitch&th=1
This as well but not smart capable yet although they say it will be.
Back to the drawing board I think.

Any one give a recommendation on any of the above

What functionality do you want ? What type lamps/bulbs does it take ?

Psygnosis · 11-02-2019 06:28PM

Its a chandler with 8 Philips led bulbs that are dimmable. They are expensive and good quality bulbs so dont really want to change them.
When I moved in 6 months ago I thought I would just put a dimmer on them and be done.
But I since got a couple of google home hubs. Logitech Elite harmony.
So I guess I've caught the bug.
Ideally Id like to be able to dim them using my voice and also set a scene as it hey google watch a movie and tv comes on goes to netflix and lights dim. First world problems ehh.

bk · 11-02-2019 07:53PM

You could look into Fibaro Z-Wave dimmer modules along with SmartThings or similar hub.

I think some of the Fibaro modules don't require Neutral.

maxamillius · 11-02-2019 08:21PM

I’d say the majority of builds before 2000 won’t have a neutral at the light switch, even after 2000 it’s still rare enough, until recent years there has been no need for one at a light switch, although I find it easier to wire a house that way!

Psygnosis · 11-02-2019 08:47PM

I have a mini low powered pc N3450 Cpu I use for a couple of things.
Could I use a Z-wave USB stick with this and connect a fibaro dimmer to it. Now that looks intresting

bk · 11-02-2019 09:17PM

Psygnosis wrote: »

I have a mini low powered pc N3450 Cpu I use for a couple of things.
Could I use a Z-wave USB stick with this and connect a fibaro dimmer to it. Now that looks intresting

Yes, most likely, check out Home Assistant, you'd need to run it or something like it on the PC.

Nedved85 · 12-02-2019 04:21PM

I recommend Broadlink smart switches with their hub. No need for neutral. Works like a charm

Psygnosis · 13-02-2019 12:44PM

Nedved85 wrote: »

I recommend Broadlink smart switches with their hub. No need for neutral. Works like a charm

Can you link me to the dimmer switches

Nedved85 · 13-02-2019 12:51PM

I don't think they have dimmer switches. It's just on/off. I picked mine up at Aliexpress, I think there is an official broadlink store there.

durtybit · 19-02-2019 09:43AM

Nedved85 wrote: »

I recommend Broadlink smart switches with their hub. No need for neutral. Works like a charm

With the broadlink do you have any 2 way switches? Does it work?

When you use the app does it show if the light is on Vs off ?

Nedved85 · 19-02-2019 10:14AM

durtybit wrote: »

With the broadlink do you have any 2 way switches? Does it work?

When you use the app does it show if the light is on Vs off ?

Hi,

The answer to both of those is no unfortunately.

I have only one two way switch in my house (upstairs hall lights - three different switches to turn them on/off) so installed a Philips Hue bulb and a motion sensor to turn the light on after dark. I also put in three Philips hue dimmer switches over the standard wall switch with one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samotech®-SM200-Switch-Philips-Dimmer/dp/B07D5KJ4B6/ref=pd_bxgy_201_2/259-3979732-1731725?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07D5KJ4B6&pd_rd_r=65f11273-3426-11e9-b94c-8f8ae5ab0f8e&pd_rd_w=AAaXJ&pd_rd_wg=8tTwR&pf_rd_p=a0365e62-3353-40ad-91cf-d4ca762b18a7&pf_rd_r=66D7XGQ50BB4JB0HGZP2&psc=1&refRID=66D7XGQ50BB4JB0HGZP2

It's not ideal but it let me automate the hall light and that wall plate looks pretty good.

The app just lets you turn the lights on/off.

Can do the same via Google home.

Also I installed a broadlink alarm system. I have a few motion sensors that turn on some of the the lights after dark, including the front/rear lights outside.

It's a cheap system, but does require some effort to set up

Does my light fitting have a switched neutral for a smart light switch

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