Fluorescent smart switch

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1

I have a shop full of fluorescent lighting. I would like to update the switches to work with my new hubitat hub. Any suggestions on the right switch to use?

Learning as I go...

2

Any Smart on/off switch should work (you don't want a dimmer for florescent lights) make sure its Z-Wave Plus or Zigbee for the best experience. Inovelli makes a couple of great new switches, the black series switch is about $5 less than the red series but the red series adds the ability to disable the relay and use the switch as a button controller only (you wouldn't need that in this case but it also has scene control options (press up or down multiple times to simulate different button presses and control other things) which you might find a use for and the LED on it can be configured to display flashing red for garage door open or yellow for mail arrived or whatever you might want to do with it and it is cheaper than the GE on/off switches that do the same functions as the black series.

3

Thanks for the reply. I put an inquiry in with them and they are checking on it. Sounds like it may not work based on the wattage. That lighting circuit runs 1050 watts and their switches may not be able to handle that much. Any other ideas?

5

Sorry, I should have asked how many watts when you said it was for a shop, most switches are rated for much lower incandecent or LED rating VS motor loads, the highest Z-wave rating on a single switch I'm aware of is the GE at 960w incandecent. Zooz's zen24 is only rated at 500w, is it possible to change the box to add room for a second switch and split the load? Depends on the existing wiring or accessibly to change the wiring.

6

GE Enbrighten 46201 ZWave Plus Smart Switch Features:

  • ZWave and ZWave Plus support
  • Compatible with LED, CFL, incandescent, halogen, fans, motors
  • On off control (no dimming)
  • New SimpleWire auto detection of load/line wiring
  • New QuickFit 20% more shallow package
  • Rated 120VAC, max 960W incandescent, 1/2HP motor, 1800W/15A resistive
  • Neutral wire connection required
  • White paddle installed, light almond change paddle included
7

What type of load is a fluorescent tube? Is a 4ft tube the same type of load as CFL? You might consider something like the Aeotec Heavy Duty Smart Switch that is hardwired in to the light circuit in the ceiling, and replace the wall switch with a controller.

8

Or you could keep the switch you have and get a relay module they might be able to handle more