Using Hue bulbs with a regular light switch

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1

Hi all.

I want to use smart bulbs (Philips Hue) with regular non-smart light switches (for appearance and usability).

I want somebody pressing the switch to toggle the lights on and off.

I also want to be able to operate the Hue bulbs via Home Assistant, so I’d like them to be receiving power permanently so I can turn them on remotely.

What is the best solution?

I had a look at the Shelly but I’m unsure whether this would work.

Thanks in advance!

2

There’s a few options, you can install dummy rf switches and use a sonoff rf bridge to control the hue bulbs via HA.

The most elegant is perhaps some wifi switches flashed with tasmota which can control the bulbs via HA also.

Take a look at digiblur videos in youtube he explains the set up.

3

Depending on the country you’re from, and therefore the form factor of the light switches. Niko has some nice (pricy) switches, friends with hue. But they are Europe form factor.

4

Thanks both!

I’m living in the UK.

Rather than using a specific WiFi switch (which would limit the choice of design), I want to add something to a regular switch which would sense when the switch has been pressed and use that to toggle the Hue lights. (I’ll probably go for a momentary switch so the switch doesn’t look off when it’s on.)

What could I connect to the switch which would keep the Hue bulbs powered, and send events in Home Assistant when I pressed the switch?

5

There are numerous relays which you can toggle with zigbee as well as a connected momentary switch. For instance the Shelly 1 can do it I believe.

6

While it’s a touch more complex, you could take out the switch completely (or replace it with an emergency one you need a small key to toggle) and add something like one of the xiaomi aqara switches next to it. (you’ll need something to handle zigbee.)

Or get one of the faceplates you can mount over a regular switch, and use the phillips dimmers there.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D5KJ4B6 or similar.

7

Yes you can use your shelly. Danger: fiddling with these mains voltage is dangerous!

Just wire it the bulbs permanently on. Then link the shelly in to the switch but so it is not switching the lights.

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8

Yeah, sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. What @nickrout said is very important. You never want the switch to turn of the bulb hardwired. Only through automations. If you do switch it off. The zigbee mesh is going to be loosing a repeater (the bulb is also a repeater) for the network every time you switch it off. Which will probably end up disturbing your zigbee mesh in a way other devices stop working.

9

Oh and you need a neutral at the switch to do as I suggest :slight_smile:

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