Installing Wifi switch on Standard wall switch

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Mikenorf

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#233620 24-Apr-2018 22:15

Hello, I've just moved to a new house a few days ago and the light switch is too far away as the room is massive. So I've been trying to find some smart home/wifi controlled wall switches and I have no clue if it will work with my room's switches. I dismantled one of the switches and this is what it looks like inside.

this is a two-gang switch, and the one i want to install the wifi switch(it's the same wires inside it except it has only one switch) is

it seems like the switch is too small for switchmate, a motorized switch toggler. The only way to get this switch to be smarter is by replacing it with a smart switch or buying 6 smart bulbs(that one switch toggles 6 bulbs), which would cost me 3 times more.

This is the switch I'd like to replace it with: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Anywhere-Compatible-Assistant-Protection/dp/B0771T1D8J/ref=as_at?creativeASIN=B0771T1D8J&imprToken=fPfPhkkN.AV40gvLJpTKBw&slotNum=7&ie=UTF8&linkCode=w61&tag=fabathome-20&linkId=9e872834f001e7dd4f37245e3a76adf8

(What is neutral wire???)

Any electricians or anyone who's keen on electrics please help me out, any advices or ideas would be appreciated.

hio77

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#2001972 24-Apr-2018 22:30

Quite honestly, if your asking what the neutral wire is, Have someone in to install the switch for you.

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Mikenorf

4 posts

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#2001973 24-Apr-2018 22:32

hio77:

Quite honestly, if your asking what the neutral wire is, Have someone in to install the switch for you.

You're quite right about that, I've never set my hands on electronics before. I'm just worried that the electrician is going to charge me more than the price of the switch for the installation.

wally22

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#2001979 24-Apr-2018 22:58

If you are asking basic questions like that here then I urge you to employ an electrician before you electrocute yourself!

Edit: someone beat me to it.

kiwigander

231 posts

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#2001990 24-Apr-2018 23:34

The WiFi switch you've linked to, sold by Amazon, is for 110 VAC (North American household current). New Zealand uses 230 VAC.

Don't even think about trying to install it here. That the supplier will ship it here doesn't mean it will work here. It may or may not work, and even if it seems to work it may pose a danger to your home and you.

WiFi-controllable light switches suitable for NZ wiring are sold here, but I'd suggest you don't try to install one yourself. We'd like to have you participate in Geekzone for a good long time - so please don't mess with 230 V power without professional advice and help.

Stu

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#2001992 24-Apr-2018 23:57

Mikenorf:

hio77:

Quite honestly, if your asking what the neutral wire is, Have someone in to install the switch for you.

You're quite right about that, I've never set my hands on electronics before. I'm just worried that the electrician is going to charge me more than the price of the switch for the installation.

This isn't electronics, it's electricity. To be very blunt, electricity kills. Especially if you don't know what you're doing. And, if you install that 110V module, it will probably result in fire.

The electrician will charge you more than the price of that switch from Amazon, and there's a good reason for that. They know what they can and can't do, and there's no guess work.

The easiest way to achieve what you're after is to use something like a Philips Hue setup from Noel Leeming or Bunnings etc. No wiring to do at all. Works a treat.

(Edited to add; The Philips Hue approach may have a slightly higher price than you wanted to pay up front, but you can expand the system easily to add other controlled lights around your house. Most importantly, you won't upset the insurance company (or the fire department) the way you would by importing and installing the wrong gear.)

None of us want you to get zapped.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Aredwood

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#2002001 25-Apr-2018 00:31

And those WiFi switches have possible future compatibility issues. Will it work with future WiFi standards? If you buy a new phone, will the app work on your new phone? Does it need internet access to a server somewhere in China? Meaning possible security issues, and if that server goes offline, can you still use your switch? And how do you even connect it to your WiFi? It would probably use WPS, but WPS is itself a security problem. And myself at least, my WiFi APs don't even support WPS anyway.

And then there is electrical issues as well. In addition to safety and wether it is approved for installation in NZ. What load can it handle and does it use mechanical or electronic switching? As different switching systems can play havoc with some types of LED or compact fluro lights.

Sorry if I sound negative. But these sorts of devices are not plug n play as such. And you don't want to be calling out the electrician all the time. To troubleshoot or replace failed WiFi switches. This is definitely an application where spending more upfront is well worth it.

I agree with getting the Hue lamps.

Mikenorf

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Wannabe Geek

#2002002 25-Apr-2018 00:44

Thanks for the replies everyone, I decided to get hue starter kit (although it costs a lot more) as a couple of you suggested and I don't want to cause an electrical fire in my house either, or get zapped badly at least. Thanks for the suggestion stu and aredwood!

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Dingbatt

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#2002060 25-Apr-2018 09:00

Do what I did for my Hue gear (19 items and growing). Both Bunnings and Mitre10 have it, so there is a great capability to get a 15% discount with their price guarantee.

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sbiddle

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#2002624 26-Apr-2018 08:32

As pointed out above if you need to ask questions like this then you should not be touching mains wiring.

Looking at your photo I'd also question whether you actually have a neutral wire anyway - it's really common in lots of NZ homes built or rewired before the late '90s or so to only have the neutral at the lamp fitting and the light switch to only have the phase switched, sometimes with the use of a sleeved wire. In such homes there is no easy way to fit such hardware without rewiring.