Hi!
I’m looking for a smart switch, preferee Zigbee of Wifi, to make an existing switch for outside lights smart.
A find hundreds of options of smalle switches controlling L (N always connecties, L controlled by the switch).
But because it is an outside light switch, both lines L and N should ben switches on/off and I could not find ant options that could ben used here (small enough to build in after the existing switch and powering both lines L and N…)
Somebody that had the same issue? Any solutions here?
No, correctly wired (switch Live and not Neutral) their should not be any problems.
We have plenty of outside lights on only switching Live
I actually never came across a smart switch which switches Live and Neutral together.
Is their a local regulation at your place which requires this or what is the reason for such a setup? Do your “stupid”/“dumb” switches actually cut Live and Neutral together at this very moment?
You didn’t say which country, but as I said, I have never heard of a requirement for both the line AND the neutral be disconnected at the wall switch. This is probably why you can’t find a smart switch that does that- there’s no market for them to make one.
Can you quote the rule or electrical code that says this?
He probably mean that he has two wires L(live) and L1(light) and he confused that with neutral. It’s common setup in Europe. I have a lot of switches with two wires only. One is live and other is light wire. Neutral wire is usually used for alternating switch, if my translation is right.
It’s common wire setup in Europe.
Namron has some dimmers that do this, but no idea if they are available where you live. I use them where they are required (bathrooms, washing room). They only have dimmers though, I am looking for a switch myself that I can use in my garage (same requirement as “wet” rooms).
What country? What document is this in? The reason you aren’t going to find a double-pole smart switch is because such a device would be exceedingly rare. Could you use a double-pole relay and control it by a SPST switch or by Home Assistant?
Simple solution is to use any ‘normal’ smart switch wired to to 2 pole relay. The smart switch will switch only the active to the relay, then the relay can switch both active and neutral to the light.
EDIT: I just read the entirety of Stephens comment and realised he already said this.
My solution in the bathroom was to have the required double-pole wall switch, and a smart switch in the light fixture. The double-pole wall switch is always in the ‘on’ position, but at least is conforming to the rule.
And the light still works with the motion sensor.
I’ll add this to my knowledge database in case it ever comes up again.
I like this solution. Something in the light fixture box like a Shelly or if you want Zigbee, the Sonoff Mini Extreme. You can get a Sabbath cover for the DPST wall switch to prevent someone from toggling that switch by accident. Here is what I use on my garage light switch because it’s wired exactly as you suggest and the controller in the light has to be powered at all times. It has two magnets that hold the Sabbath cover to the switch plate cover screws. I am sure you can find a similar cover for your wall plates.
Thanks for all replies!
Country = Belgium for me, and i supposed this is also for some other european countries. And Norway as confirmed above.
A Relay was what i was thinking of as a solution, but this in combination with a smart switch wil not fit bevind my existing 2 pole switch in the wall…
I van use 2 smart switches, each of them switching 1 line (change L and N in the supply to the switches), but also this be tot big to fit in the wall.
The option of Francis is a good one to be in line with the law, but in this case you get to a solution which is most of the time powered on 1 line (N) and switched on the other line (L)
I’ll continue to search a perfect solution here, any options would be appreciated!
