Smart lights recommendation

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#1894582 3-Nov-2017 09:41

ARK:

So I installed my 2nd Aeotec device - a nano switch last night. It all went to plan and is now enrolled and working well. It's a really nice little product with it being so small and tucking in nicely behind the light switch. When programmed with the correct parameters, the Aeotec devices also provide their state to the z-wave controller, regardless of switching within the app, or via the physical switch itself. To me, this is so much more powerful than LED bulbs, as I can preserve the total functionality of the normal light switch while also have full smart capabilities at all times, as the lights are always powered.

Aeotec are due to release a very flash looking touch panel this quarter. It is designed to plug directly in to a little socket in the nano dimmer or nano switch and replace normal light switches (or fan, blinds switches etc.) to provide new modern look. It looks like you will also be able to install the touch panel as a replacement for light switches without the Aeotec smart device in behind. This being the case, it's a very nice solution as I don't necessary want to have all the lights in my house "smart" but I do want to have a consistent modern look throughout.

This is the advantage of the relays in the first place, in that they're behind any existing switching and the existing look of the switches. Rather than replacing one or two switches with odd looking modern ones.

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lchiu7

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#1894748 3-Nov-2017 13:38

ARK:

So I installed my 2nd Aeotec device - a nano switch last night. It all went to plan and is now enrolled and working well. It's a really nice little product with it being so small and tucking in nicely behind the light switch. When programmed with the correct parameters, the Aeotec devices also provide their state to the z-wave controller, regardless of switching within the app, or via the physical switch itself. To me, this is so much more powerful than LED bulbs, as I can preserve the total functionality of the normal light switch while also have full smart capabilities at all times, as the lights are always powered.

Aeotec are due to release a very flash looking touch panel this quarter. It is designed to plug directly in to a little socket in the nano dimmer or nano switch and replace normal light switches (or fan, blinds switches etc.) to provide new modern look. It looks like you will also be able to install the touch panel as a replacement for light switches without the Aeotec smart device in behind. This being the case, it's a very nice solution as I don't necessary want to have all the lights in my house "smart" but I do want to have a consistent modern look throughout.

That sounds promising. When the sparky installed my Insteon micro switch he had a terrible job fitting it in. The micro switch is small enough but the wall switch controls 3 sets of lights so the wiring going into the cavity pretty much took up all the free space so it was a really tight fit. I suspect with just a single switch, there might be more room in the cavity?

Presumably you paid about $100 for the switch? As noted, while that's expensive, it does mean you control more bulbs at the same time. My switch controls 5 so at $30/pop for Hue that's $150 for smart bulbs and only $100 for the wall switch. There might be a point where it's better just to get bulbs.

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ARK

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#1894765 3-Nov-2017 13:51

lchiu7:

ARK:

So I installed my 2nd Aeotec device - a nano switch last night. It all went to plan and is now enrolled and working well. It's a really nice little product with it being so small and tucking in nicely behind the light switch. When programmed with the correct parameters, the Aeotec devices also provide their state to the z-wave controller, regardless of switching within the app, or via the physical switch itself. To me, this is so much more powerful than LED bulbs, as I can preserve the total functionality of the normal light switch while also have full smart capabilities at all times, as the lights are always powered.

Aeotec are due to release a very flash looking touch panel this quarter. It is designed to plug directly in to a little socket in the nano dimmer or nano switch and replace normal light switches (or fan, blinds switches etc.) to provide new modern look. It looks like you will also be able to install the touch panel as a replacement for light switches without the Aeotec smart device in behind. This being the case, it's a very nice solution as I don't necessary want to have all the lights in my house "smart" but I do want to have a consistent modern look throughout.

That sounds promising. When the sparky installed my Insteon micro switch he had a terrible job fitting it in. The micro switch is small enough but the wall switch controls 3 sets of lights so the wiring going into the cavity pretty much took up all the free space so it was a really tight fit. I suspect with just a single switch, there might be more room in the cavity?

Presumably you paid about $100 for the switch? As noted, while that's expensive, it does mean you control more bulbs at the same time. My switch controls 5 so at $30/pop for Hue that's $150 for smart bulbs and only $100 for the wall switch. There might be a point where it's better just to get bulbs.

Yep, $102 per switch. I can imagine it would be a serious installation challenge with 3 switches in a box - mine was a single so no problem. I installed the device behind the kitchen light switch of which there are 6 individual bulbs. So its a no-brainer to use a smart switch instead of smart bulbs. Also, they are uncommon LED bulbs and use a fitting that you can't buy a smart bulb for anyway.

In the bedrooms where I have 1 switch and 1 bulb, I've installed smart bulbs - I'd use a smart switch for anywhere a physical light switch is driving 3 bulbs or more....possibly even 2 bulbs at a pinch given the added benefits of a smart switch over smart bulbs.

ARK

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#1894767 3-Nov-2017 14:02

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

lchiu7

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#1894979 3-Nov-2017 21:35

ARK:

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

Now that is an interesting idea. I will be removing the smart switch and possibly it will fit better behind a wall outlet. It would look tidier than the smart wall plugs that are the usual devices these days.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32019730 Mention GZ to get a 10% discount

Dingbatt

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#1895110 4-Nov-2017 07:10

lchiu7:
ARK:

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

Now that is an interesting idea. I will be removing the smart switch and possibly it will fit better behind a wall outlet. It would look tidier than the smart wall plugs that are the usual devices these days.

15W or 15A?

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ARK

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#1895121 4-Nov-2017 08:21

Dingbatt:
lchiu7:
ARK:

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

Now that is an interesting idea. I will be removing the smart switch and possibly it will fit better behind a wall outlet. It would look tidier than the smart wall plugs that are the usual devices these days.

15W or 15A?

Oops, Amps. A typo with serious implications!
So with a 15Amp capability, one useful application I’ve given some thought to is to mount this device behind the switch that controls a spa pool to turn the pool off when the electricity spot rate exceeds a certain price. This would of course assume you consume power on the spot rate market from a provider like Flick and would require some external coding.

Anyway, getting off the topic of Smart Lighting...

lchiu7

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#1895179 4-Nov-2017 11:58

ARK:
Dingbatt:
lchiu7:

ARK:

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

Now that is an interesting idea. I will be removing the smart switch and possibly it will fit better behind a wall outlet. It would look tidier than the smart wall plugs that are the usual devices these days.

15W or 15A?

Oops, Amps. A typo with serious implications!
So with a 15Amp capability, one useful application I’ve given some thought to is to mount this device behind the switch that controls a spa pool to turn the pool off when the electricity spot rate exceeds a certain price. This would of course assume you consume power on the spot rate market from a provider like Flick and would require some external coding.

Anyway, getting off the topic of Smart Lighting...

Well the Insteon switches are rated at a max of 200W so no good for appliances. Guess I will be looking at selling the entire setup including controller and Pi

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32019730 Mention GZ to get a 10% discount

ARK

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#1895475 5-Nov-2017 13:25

lchiu7:
ARK:
Dingbatt:
lchiu7:

ARK:

One other benefit that has just come to mind regarding the Aeotec nano switch is it's versatility in that it can be used on any switch - light, powerpoint, fan, blinds....etc.

It is rated max. 15W, so can be mounted behind a powerpoint switch also - they come in 2 models, 1 with power metering and 1 without. While I actually didn't need/want power monitoring for my lights, Active Automation didn't have the one without power monitoring on their website, so I assume (hope) they didn't have it as I assume it would be less expensive.

So while I'm using the switch behind my lights today, in the future I could move it and put it behind a powerpoint or some other switch (and monitor the power also if I wished).

Now that is an interesting idea. I will be removing the smart switch and possibly it will fit better behind a wall outlet. It would look tidier than the smart wall plugs that are the usual devices these days.

15W or 15A?

Oops, Amps. A typo with serious implications!
So with a 15Amp capability, one useful application I’ve given some thought to is to mount this device behind the switch that controls a spa pool to turn the pool off when the electricity spot rate exceeds a certain price. This would of course assume you consume power on the spot rate market from a provider like Flick and would require some external coding.

Anyway, getting off the topic of Smart Lighting...

Well the Insteon switches are rated at a max of 200W so no good for appliances. Guess I will be looking at selling the entire setup including controller and Pi

If you continue down the z-wave route and use Aeotec or similar then you could retain the Pi and buy a Razberry. That's what I'm using for my controller.

amanzi

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#1895509 5-Nov-2017 15:34

For those of you that have the Aeotec Nano dimmer, can you explain how it works if installed behind a regular light switch? e.g. if the light switch is off, can you still operate it via Z-wave? And if you turn the lights off via Z-wave, can you still operate them with the physical switch?

I have 5 downlights in the kitchen which are operated by a standard light switch. The bulbs are dimmer-capable but we never bothered to fit a dimmer switch. Thinking of getting the Aeotec Nano dimmer switch to fit behind the socket but am struggling to understand how the Aeotec and the physical switch work together.

ARK

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#1895550 5-Nov-2017 17:14

amanzi:
For those of you that have the Aeotec Nano dimmer, can you explain how it works if installed behind a regular light switch? e.g. if the light switch is off, can you still operate it via Z-wave? And if you turn the lights off via Z-wave, can you still operate them with the physical switch?

I have 5 downlights in the kitchen which are operated by a standard light switch. The bulbs are dimmer-capable but we never bothered to fit a dimmer switch. Thinking of getting the Aeotec Nano dimmer switch to fit behind the socket but am struggling to understand how the Aeotec and the physical switch work together.

Yes to both your questions. The dimmer supports the continued physical use of the switch. Here’s the scenarios based on my installation of the dimmer to help you understand how it works:
Lights on - Toggle physical switch once - Lights turn off - Turn lights on via app - Lights turn on. At all times, the app reflects the on/off state of the switch regardless of it being toggled physically or virtually.

So hopefully you get the idea. The phyisical switch works seemlessly with the virtual switch in the app.

amanzi

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#1895569 5-Nov-2017 18:19

ARK: Yes to both your questions. The dimmer supports the continued physical use of the switch. Here’s the scenarios based on my installation of the dimmer to help you understand how it works:
Lights on - Toggle physical switch once - Lights turn off - Turn lights on via app - Lights turn on. At all times, the app reflects the on/off state of the switch regardless of it being toggled physically or virtually.

So hopefully you get the idea. The phyisical switch works seemlessly with the virtual switch in the app.

Hey thanks for the response. Sounds too good to be true... One last question - if I use the dimmer function from an app, would turning it off an on again from the physical switch reset the dimmer or would it retain the same brightness level?

ARK

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#1895588 5-Nov-2017 19:07

amanzi:
ARK: Yes to both your questions. The dimmer supports the continued physical use of the switch. Here’s the scenarios based on my installation of the dimmer to help you understand how it works:
Lights on - Toggle physical switch once - Lights turn off - Turn lights on via app - Lights turn on. At all times, the app reflects the on/off state of the switch regardless of it being toggled physically or virtually.

So hopefully you get the idea. The phyisical switch works seemlessly with the virtual switch in the app.

Hey thanks for the response. Sounds too good to be true... One last question - if I use the dimmer function from an app, would turning it off an on again from the physical switch reset the dimmer or would it retain the same brightness level?

Good and interesting question. So I tried it...

If the light is on and dimmed to say 20% (as you say - from the app as there is no dimmer on the physical switch), then I turn the physical switch off then back on, the dim level is retained at 20%.
But if I turn the dimmed at 20% light off via the app and then turn it back on via the app, it reverts to 100% brightness.

AceVPD

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#1895615 5-Nov-2017 20:08

What controller and app are you using?

From memory Home Assistant on the Raspberry Pi retains the dim settings when turning on and off from the interface

amanzi

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#1895618 5-Nov-2017 20:14

ARK: Good and interesting question. So I tried it...

If the light is on and dimmed to say 20% (as you say - from the app as there is no dimmer on the physical switch), then I turn the physical switch off then back on, the dim level is retained at 20%.
But if I turn the dimmed at 20% light off via the app and then turn it back on via the app, it reverts to 100% brightness.

Thanks for checking. Sounds like I'll need to invest in one of these and the USB dongle to control it from Home Assistant. Just need to work on the business case now...

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