Smart light switches are an important part of a smart home, which can act as a center for controlling smart devices. A smart light switch is a unit that utilizes a combination of control boards and electronic components and programming in order to achieve intelligent on/off control of circuits. It has more functional features, safe to use, and beautiful style compared to ordinary wall switches. In this article, we will introduce you how to install a smart light switch, hope it can help you.
Preparation Before the Installation of Smart Light Switches
There are a few steps that need to be arranged before installation, they are not difficult but important. Let's take a look at them.
Tools you will need
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Electricity stylus
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Insulated gloves
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Electric drill
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Screwdriver
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Wire scissors
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Flathead screwdriver
Selecting the right smart light switch you need
Smart light switch can be classified into the following categories:
Type 1: Power line carrier control
It leverages power lines to transmit signals, and the switch need to set the encoder, so it will be subject to power line clutter interference, so that the operation is very unstable, often leading to switch out of control. But it has advantages: its cheap price.
Type 2: Wireless RF control
It adopts radio frequency to transmit signals, the switch is often interfered by radio waves, making its frequency stable and easy to lose control, the operation is very cumbersome, the price is also very high,
Type 3: Bus control
It use field bus to transmit signals, and it will be connected to the bus panel to achieve communication and control signal transmission, its stability and anti-jamming ability is relatively strong. Each position of the intelligent panel can realize multi-point control, total control, group control, point-to-point control and other functions.
Type 4: Single firewire control
It is a kind of wireless communication similar to GSM technology, with built-in transmitter and receiver modules, single firewire input, the same wiring method as traditional switches, and convenient installation.
How to Install Smart Light Switch?
Step 1: Know your existing wall switch setup
Before you buy a smart light switch, you need to figure out what type of switch you need. If there is only one switch on the wall panel, you will need a single wall switch. If there are two switches, you will need a two-row smart light switch. If there are three switches, you will need a three-hole switch. All of the smart light switch types need to be determined based on the conditions of your house.
Step 2: Start analyzing what type of lines you have
Turn off the power at the fuse box to avoid the risk of electric shock or electrocution. If you're not sure which circuit the lights belong to, it's suggested to grab a voltmeter (if you don't already have one). If you have a non-contact voltage tester, there is no need to mess with leads and wires.
Step 3: Pull your existing light switch
To turn on the switch, unscrew the four screws on the wall plate. Use a butter knife or flathead screwdriver to pry the wall plate off the wall, as it may be sticking to the wall (usually because of paint or glue that was put on during remodeling). Then unscrew the screws on the light switch and gently remove the switch.
Step 4: Examine your wire setup
There are many tenants who will find that the original electrical circuits have deteriorated and broken during the second renovation, which can cause serious accidents such as fires if they are not repaired in time. And you also need to check if there is a neutral wire in the circuit If there is no neutral wire, you can still install many smart light switches but you need to purchase a specific type of smart light switch that does not require a neutral wire.
Step 5: Install the new smart light switch
Make sure the power is off. Connect the incoming wire to the incoming wire, the outgoing wire to the outgoing wire, the ground wire to the ground wire, and the neutral wire to the neutral wire.
Connect the wires to the appropriate locations on the smart switch; most switches have instructions for this, or you can turn to the manual. The switch may be connected to the wiring device using slots, screws, or multi-colored wires. Once you've connected the wires, give them a gentle tug for safety - don't let them pop out when you push the wires and switch back into the junction box.
Starting with the extra wire, push the new switch into the wiring box until it rests against the mounting hole.
Let's also note: Smart switches are larger than regular light switches, so don't try to force them into a distribution box that's too small. Then you can tighten the screws of the switch, mount the wall plate and turn on the power. In this way, the smart light switch is installed.
Step 6: Connect your smart light switch to the network and have a test
To do this, you'll first need to download the Smart Lights app and connect it to a Wi-Fi network. Then connect it to Alexa, Google Home, or any home internet system so you can enjoy the joys of your smart home.
Don't forget that it's important to note that after you've completed all the installation steps, you'll also need to power it up once, try out all the features, and then see if there are any problems.
How to Install Smart Light Switch Without Neutral?
Installing a smart light switch is quick and easy, and the only tools needed are a screwdriver, wire strippers and sharp-nosed pliers. Before installing the smart switch, make sure the power to the power supply is turned off. Go to the main breaker box and follow the legend inside the box to find the switch to be installed. Or, in a straightforward step, turn off the main circuit breaker and cut the power to the entire house.
Once the power is off, return to the job site and try to turn on the lights. If the light comes on, you have pressed the wrong breaker switch. If you turned on the main breaker and the light is still on, you have a big problem and should call a professional electrician!
After safely disconnecting the power, remove the faceplate of the light switch box. Then, remove the screws that hold the existing switch to the wall. Disconnect the wires connected to the switch. There should be three wires on the wall, a hot wire, a load wire and a neutral wire. You don't need the neutral wire from the light switch, so crimp it inside the wall if you have it.
Connect the hot wire to the hot wire on the switch. Connect the load wire to the load wire on the switch, twisting each wire slightly, then cover both wires with the yellow wire caps, twisting them tightly for a snug fit. And then we have done all the things.
Why There Are Only Two Wires When Wiring Smart Switches?
If there are only two wires on the wall, there is likely no neutral wire. Most smart switches require a neutral wire to work properly. However, there are some smart switches that do not require a neutral wire. It is up to you to read the instructions carefully and follow the steps to wire.
How do We Connect Smart Light switches with WiFi?
Step 1: Put the switch in the pending connection state
If your smart light switch is already installed, then the first step you need to do is to check the switch, and then long press the blinking light on top of the smart switch for about 10-20s to put the switch in the pending connection state, in which the smart switch indicator light should be blinking.
Step 2: Download app and register account
Go to your phone's app store and download the corresponding app. After register your account, you can log into your account and then select the corresponding device to match the connection. Then click on the WiFi switch option.
Step 3: Connect the system
Wait for the process of connecting, it can take about 40 minutes to connect. And select your internet network, rename and add a password, and put your phone close to the switch and wait for the switch to scan it.
Step 4: Testing and examining
The last step would be testing and examining, making sure there is no problem in system operation. After finishing all these processes, you can get a multifunctional smart light switch.
How to connect smart light switches with home system?
It is only has one more step more than the previous section: conncting your smart switch with your smart home system. After logging in the app, finding the smart home button, selecting the kind of system you installed (such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit) and connecting it, you will put the last piece of the puzzle together.
FAQs
1. Why can’t I connect my smart light switch to my device?
Usually the cable or other component is damaged, or the USB port connection is faulty. In both cases, you may experience problems with the smart light switch not working. Try connecting another phone with the same cable and check if your computer detects it properly. Also, plug the USB cable into another port to check if the problem persists.
2. Do you need an electrician to install a smart light switch?
While your best solution may be to call an electrician to help you with your smart light switch installation, smart light switch installation isn't complicated, and you can do it entirely on your own as long as you follow these simple steps: confirm the type of existing wall switch setup and check the wiring, and then select the smart switch you want.
3. Do smart switches work without Internet?
Smart switches for home lighting are designed to continue to work even when your home network fails and still work without it. However, their high-tech networking capabilities will be gone and you will only be able to use them to turn lights on and off as you would with a standard light switch.
4. Is the smart light switch faster with cable or wireless?
Move files using a USB connection. Transferring files wirelessly is fast, but using the Smart Switch USB OTG connection is even faster. A wired connection is still the most desirable mode of transfer because it does not have any interference, unlike in a wireless environment where you need to consider signal interference to this device from other devices in the vicinity.
5. How long does it take to install a smart light switch?
If you are installing a smart light switch for the first time, the first time may take more than 30 minutes because you are not familiar with the operation. After having experience with multiple installations, it will be much faster and may take as little as 15 minutes. There will be a learning curve as you read the installation manual and follow the steps.
Conclusion
Installing a smart light switch is not a highly technical task, and you can do it yourself by following a tutorial at home. Smart lights are very versatile and can significantly enhance the living quality of your home after installation. I hope this blog can be helpful to you, and we are glad to see your sharing of this blog to those around you. All comments are welcomed.