Smart light switches

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Saba'a

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Hi

I'd like to invest in a smart wifi light switch (i.e. not zigbee bluetooth z wave etc).

My needs:
1. Fit SA light switches as a replacement
2. Wifi and Google compatible
3. Physical switch for visitors
4. No inserting stuff inside/modifying existing switches. Only replace in toto.

See below options

ideaing.com

Best Smart Light Switches and Plugs You Need 2023

Transform your regular plugs with smart WiFi light switches and plugs. Discover our review for the best smart light switches and plugs.
ideaing.com ideaing.com
 
adielk said:
1. Fit SA light switches as a replacement

4. No inserting stuff inside/modifying existing switches. Only replace in toto.
Click to expand...

Good luck. SA wiring at a switch is almost always Live only. Makes sense as you're just switching the live wire, not powering the switch itself. Most smart switches are powered which means they need a Live and Neutral to complete the circuit. There are options where the switch you interact with is just a wifi remote for a switch on power to the light. These need to be powered, but you will always have 2 wires going into the switch box.

Either way you will need power at the switch box.
 
Dairyfarmer said:
Good luck. SA wiring at a switch is almost always Live only. Makes sense as you're just switching the live wire, not powering the switch itself. Most smart switches are powered which means they need a Live and Neutral to complete the circuit. There are options where the switch you interact with is just a wifi remote for a switch on power to the light. These need to be powered, but you will always have 2 wires going into the switch box.

Either way you will need power at the switch box.
Click to expand...
I have neutral, so my handyman told me, but will double check this weekend.
 
I assume the Sonoffs, Qualitel etc light switches also require neutral?
 
Crowley said:
Sonoff does. Not sure about the others.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Tells me that all the switches probably do require a neutral. So everyone installing them have or installed neutrals.

I believe I have, meaning it should be a straight in and out swop. If not, .

I'll try out one switch in case no neutral but looking for one that has a switch still. Not a train smash since lights on or not.

Update : My handyman confirmed. Light switch (assume plural) have neutral.
 
Last edited:
adielk said:
Thanks. Tells me that all the switches probably do require a neutral. So everyone installing them have or installed neutrals.

I believe I have, meaning it should be a straight in and out swop. If not, .

I'll try out one switch in case no neutral but looking for one that has a switch still. Not a train smash since lights on or not.
Click to expand...
Open the light switch and see how many wires there are. 2 = no neutral, 3 = possible a neutral but test before you connect anything.

I replaced all the old light fixtures with LED lights and had neutral wires installed when I moved into my new place at the beginning of April in preparation for Sonoffing everything.
 
Dairyfarmer said:
Good luck. SA wiring at a switch is almost always Live only. Makes sense as you're just switching the live wire, not powering the switch itself. Most smart switches are powered which means they need a Live and Neutral to complete the circuit. There are options where the switch you interact with is just a wifi remote for a switch on power to the light. These need to be powered, but you will always have 2 wires going into the switch box.

Either way you will need power at the switch box.
Click to expand...
Why do you have to place the smart switch inside the manual switch -- Gira make small switches that fit into the light fitting. I am not sure who supply them in SA, but my home was fitted with it.
 
Your other option would be putting a sonoff mini at the light fitting instead, but in all likelihood you will need to pull two thin wires from the light fitting to the switch so may be more than you are looking to do.

You can then leave your old light switch as it is.
 
RonSwanson said:
Why do you have to place the smart switch inside the manual switch -- Gira make small switches that fit into the light fitting. I am not sure who supply them in SA, but my home was fitted with it.
Click to expand...
See a local link for gira but not a very user friendly website.

www.giraonline.co.za

Gira Online

www.giraonline.co.za www.giraonline.co.za
 
SAguy said:
Your other option would be putting a sonoff mini at the light fitting instead, but in all likelihood you will need to pull two thin wires from the light fitting to the switch so may be more than you are looking to do.

You can then leave your old light switch as it is.
Click to expand...
Just worried about insurance issues. Don't want to be the guinea pig/test case.


But if no neutral then probably way to go.


"wires from light fitting" meaning the light or the switch? If from actual light ... then I'd rather just install neutral.

But apparently I do have neutral wires. So
 
Thought of trying out a switchmate or switchbot ... manual push switches.

But both are bluetooth and need "hubs" to operate via wifi i.e. google.

Also no stock at the moment on Amazon. Also too expensive imho
 
There is 2 options that I know of.

Control 4

And

Le grand smart switches.

Just buy a big 2liter bottle of Vaseline, as the cost is going to make you cry
 
alqassam said:
There is 2 options that I know of.

Control 4

And

Le grand smart switches.

Just buy a big 2liter bottle of Vaseline, as the cost is going to make you cry
Click to expand...
I know Control 4 is

Happy to do without. Maybe cheaper to replace light fittings and insert smart bulbs
 
Checked out Brilliant light switches but also too expensive and obligatory control (i.e. hub).
 
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