I’m stuck with a setup that seems common, but documentation and marketing blur the lines:
Setup:
– Bathroom fan (Limodor Compact 60), so inductive load / motor
– No neutral wire** at the wall switch (just L → L1)
– I need a real smart wall switch that actually switches the load, not just sends Zigbee events
What I tried:
– Sonoff ZBM5-1C-86W → marketed as “no neutral”,
he manual clearly states: “in no-neutral mode this device does not support inductive loads such as fans”
– Aqara H1 EU (no-neutral): looks promising, but I can’t find any official statement that it supports motors or inductive loads
– Shelly 1L / ZBMINI-L: can work without neutral, but specs mostly mention resistive loads*
Question:
Does anyone have a smart switch or relay **running a fan/motor without neutral at the wall?
Which device works reliably?
If you’re ok working at the fixture (fan) side, there are plenty of Zigbee switches that would do the job. They look like this:
If you’re lucky you’ll find line, neutral, and the pair of wires that leads to your wall switch up there. You can then wire your existing wall switch to the switch terminals on the Zigbee switch. You might choose to replace the wall switch with a SPST switch, like a garbage disposal switch so you can always touch the same side to toggle the fan but it would also work with an existing mechanical switch.
If you’re not lucky, you’ll only find 2 wires up there - neutral and load. In that case, you can get the mini switch working by shorting the line and load at the wall switch - then you’ll have line and neutral by the fan. If you’re planning on fully automating the fan, you’re all done.
If you still want the option of manual (but not hardwired) control, you’re looking at adding a battery powered wall switch in place of the existing wall switch.
That’s actually what I’m looking for now. I haven’t found anything that looks decent so I’m considering a bit of a hack - wiring one of those momentary Decora switches to a water sensor (!) They’re small enough to stuff back in the wall box and the batteries last a long time (the ones in my basement use AAA batteries and are still showing over 80% after 2 years). The sensor on those is external and it would be really easy to cut the wire and connect it to a switch.
