I’m building a house and doing all the wiring myself (third party Part P inspection). I’m keen on automation, but am snowed under with all the other aspects. My design intent was to have Bluetooth localisation on occupants with automatic lights (also based on date/time/weather). I’ve been planning to not wire any light switches, but use automation and optional battery powered wireless override switches. The next part of the plan was to go with low voltage DC lighting feed of E7 charged batteries. My last consideration was the wireless protocol and I thought WiFi a poor fit and standby powers (1W ?) too high. Bluetooth 5.1 feels a better choice able to achieve standby powers <1mW. Local repeaters an option, though 5.1 has good range (inc mesh options).
I had thought of making my own (day job electronic engineer) but the problem is CE certification type sign off needed by Part P certifier.
Based on all that (sorry) what would people suggest?
You don’t say what country you are in, but in the U.S., the National Electric Code is very specific that each room must have a light controlled by the first switch you encounter upon entering.
Regardless… run the wires. You can leave the wires pigtailed at the breaker box and loose in the wall. I would install switch boxes but have the drywall cover them. (Be sure to document their location). I would also run “landscaping” wires and Ethernet everywhere. The landscaping wires can handle any current requirements of low-voltage lighting and the Ethernet, while not currently on your radar, will be as soon as everything is closed up.
In your locality, the electrical code may require wiring for line power. I am not aware of any code that says it has to be connected.
The main reason for running the line wires is for the next occupant of the house. The house will likely outlast you and the next occupants may not want a smart house- making it difficult to sell.
Sensible advice. I’m in the UK. I have been thinking of running oval conduit to where switches would otherwise be. Most walls are blockwork. If drywall it would be much easier, but I think you’re still right. Oval conduit would allow wires to be pulled through later is a box was cut in.
The sockets you linked two are the sort of thing I mean, but I need it for UK.
It is a proper electrical wiring done in accordance with the regulations (Part P in the UK). But nothing in the UK regs says you must have light switches. SELV is a category that the lighting would meet.