Converting 2-way dumb switches to smart switches

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1

Hi All,

I wonder if anyone can check my thinking around the process of swapping three existing dumb switches that turn on a single light to three smart switches.

Context:

  • This is in the UK, and there is a neutral wire
  • I am using Aqara wired switches (neutral line type) which are pretty cool as they have a “hard” control of lights as well as zigbee remote control. They have a live and neutral input and two live outputs (for the double switch).
  • Existing switches:
  1. Double switch:
     2-way, controls upstairs hallway light
     1-way, controls bathroom light
  2. Double switch:
     2-way, controls upstairs hallway light
     1-way, controls downstairs hallway light
  3. Single switch:
     2-way, (I presume, although I haven’t opened yet) controls upstairs hallway light

Assumptions (please check!):

  • There is no reasonable way to use 1-way switches (such as the Aqara smart switches) to replicate the hard-wired multi-switch functionality of 2-way switches
  • Therefore, the best approach is to hard-wire one Aqara switch to the upstairs hallway light, then use unwired switches in the other positions to control it via zigbee
  • This would mean for the switches listed above the solution would be:
  1. Double switch:
     2-way, controls upstairs hallway light – Terminate one of the 2-way parallel live wires, connect the remaining parallel wire and neutral to the Aqara
     1-way, controls bathroom light – Straight-forward neutral/live to second switch on Aqara
  2. Double switch:
     2-way, controls upstairs hallway light – Terminate the dead “parallel wire” and hardwire the other live wire to live. Aqara is not wired in, but switch controls lights “virtually”
     1-way, switch controls downstairs hallway light – Straight-forward neutral/live
  3. Single switch:
     2-way, controls upstairs hallway light – Hard wire live to live, and replace with Aqara switch that controls the light “virtually”

So, if this is correct, I need to verify which of the 2-way parallel wires is which, take one out of the equation, then wire up as above. (All with the circuit breaker turned off at the consumer unit)

With the smart switches in place, I’m looking forward to being able to do motion sensitive lighting and finding other uses for long presses (such as turning on the towel heater/fan in the bathroom).

Does this seem sensible? Anything else I should think about?

Many thanks!

Chris

2

If you use in wall micro switches and momentary control switches you can wire up any 1 to nWay setup using one micro, and multiple dumb momentary switches.
I did this in my last house using legrand adorne paddles hacked to momentary and aeon micros, I also just did a mockup using RGBgenie zigbee micro dimmers and 3 momentary decora switches.

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3

I have also found the easiest way to support 2-way switch setups is using momentary switches and a controller that support momentary operation (I have Fibaro in-wall ones).

Identify the switch where the switched leg (I think is the UK name for it) goes to the light (ie. the last switch) and place it there, or place it behind the light (there is usually more room there assuming its in-wall/ceiling placed lights), and pray that you have live and neutral leads at any of those locations :slight_smile:

4

Thanks for the ideas guys. I have the Aqara switches, so I'll give this a go as I described, and if it all fails may look into the Fibaro option!

Cheers.