New house with no wall switches

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Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › New house with no wall switches

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davidcole

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#2365253 3-Dec-2019 06:24

SirHumphreyAppleby:
KrazyKid:

I like the idea of IR sensors in each room.

PDL make IR sensors that fit in their 600 Series plates. Unfortunately, they are AC. A DC version that could be connected directly to I/O ports would be ideal for detecting and switch based on user presence (also a bit tidier than typical IR sensors for alarms).

davidcole:

Video doesn't appear to be working.

https://youtu.be/e2gZomJB8b8

Previously known as psycik

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SirHumphreyAppleby

2852 posts

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#2365258 3-Dec-2019 07:07

davidcole:

https://youtu.be/e2gZomJB8b8

That's a neat and tidy solution.

How he's done the switches with RJ45 connectors is pretty much what I was looking at doing, minus the custom PCBs. If I can improve my soldering skills, that might be an option too as they're cheap enough.

davidcole

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#2365260 3-Dec-2019 07:09

SirHumphreyAppleby:

davidcole:

https://youtu.be/e2gZomJB8b8

That's a neat and tidy solution.

How he's done the switches with RJ45 connectors is pretty much what I was looking at doing, minus the custom PCBs. If I can improve my soldering skills, that might be an option too as they're cheap enough.

Yeah he has other videos where he takes you through the switches etc. Personally I don't think I'd trust a fully software based solution, but I like the idea of the centralised power wiring. I use zwave in a bunch of my switches.

Dulouz

883 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2365268 3-Dec-2019 07:21

Batman:

why don't you paint it neon pink and lime green too?

That is illegal.

Amanon

robfish

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#2365284 3-Dec-2019 08:40

My scenario:

I am an electrician by trade.
I have built a home automation system in my current home with Home Assistant, Xiaomi Gateway and Shelly switches.
We are about to build a new house.

My intentions:

Run cables to lights, sprinklers, towel rails etc. from a "hub"
Run cables from switches to the "hub"
Install Shelly DIN mounted switches in the hub

All this would allow easy conversion back to traditional switches only.

Rob

davidcole

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#2365441 3-Dec-2019 09:55

robfish:

My scenario:

I am an electrician by trade.
I have built a home automation system in my current home with Home Assistant, Xiaomi Gateway and Shelly switches.
We are about to build a new house.
My intentions:

Run cables to lights, sprinklers, towel rails etc. from a "hub"
Run cables from switches to the "hub"
Install Shelly DIN mounted switches in the hub
All this would allow easy conversion back to traditional switches only.

Similar to the superhouse.tv video that I linked to, but without the fancy mqtt based switched in the middle.....this approach is what I preferred if I ever looked at something similar.

robfish

683 posts

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#2365447 3-Dec-2019 10:02

davidcole:.........but without the fancy mqtt based switched in the middle

Although I do use MQTT with my Shelly Switches.

Rob

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davidcole

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#2365460 3-Dec-2019 10:10

robfish:

davidcole:.........but without the fancy mqtt based switched in the middle

Although I do use MQTT with my Shelly Switches.

Yes but only as the 2nd control of the light, not the one and only control.

Lightbulb

116 posts

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#2370026 7-Dec-2019 12:09

Thanks for all the replies. I've provisionally decided to keep all the switches in the normal places and use smart bulbs in most (but not all) places.

Just one question though - as an alternative it seems I could use smart switches instead of smart bulbs. Not sure of the pros and cons though - smart bulbs vs smart switches.

toejam316

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#2370028 7-Dec-2019 12:12

Smart switches for me are a no brainer - bulb blows and you're replacing the smarts, too, unlike the switches.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

davidcole

6041 posts

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#2370052 7-Dec-2019 14:17

Or sketching in the switch as opposed to a smart switch (ie zwave fibaro or aeotec switch). Means any physical switch can be used as the smart ones are fairly polarising to look at. Ie you either love them or hate them.

For a less diy solution, look at the pdl Nero. Which is aeotec zwave.

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