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> This also rules out smart light switches, as these often need to connect to some kind of cloud, and if that cloud goes down, you could struggle to turn your l

> This also rules out smart light switches, as these often need to connect to some kind of cloud, and if that cloud goes down, you could struggle to turn your lights on. I live in an apartment, so I haven't done proper research, but this sounds odd. Why wouldn't a smart switch still work by physically pressing the button even when there's no connectivity (I'm assuming a smart switch that actually works as an electrical switch to cut off power to a normal bulb (Probably by using a relay or a really big transistor), not a button that just sends signals to a smart bulb)

6510 4y ago
"Making traditional light switches smart", the switches are not smart, they are dumb on/off switches that cut the power to the bulb. People want this because they already have them and they come in a lot of designs that are usually used all over the home (and may not be available anymore) Running an extra wire to existing switches is often complicated. You can buy smart bulbs that work with an app but if you switch off the power the app wont be able to switch them back on. If you add a smart component behind the switch it can bypass the switch but then the switch cant be used to switch off the light. You get 4 states pretty much: The smart component would have to listen to the switch, if it changes state it should switch the light. 00) If the switch was off and the light was off it should turn the light on when you switch the switch on. 10) If the switch was on and the light was off it should invert and turn the light on when the switch is switched off. 01) If the switch was off and the light was on, it should also invert and turn the light off when the switch is turned on. 11) If the switch was on and the light was on it should turn the light off when you switch the switch off. Powering it is also an issue as there is usually only a + and a switching wire running to the switch, no - or ground.

6510 4y ago

"Making traditional light switches smart", the switches are not smart, they are dumb on/off switches that cut the power to the bulb. People want this because they already have them and they come in a lot of designs that are usually used all over the home (and may not be available anymore) Running an extra wire to existing switches is often complicated. You can buy smart bulbs that work with an app but if you switch off the power the app wont be able to switch them back on. If you add a smart component behind the switch it can bypass the switch but then the switch cant be used to switch off the light. You get 4 states pretty much: The smart component would have to listen to the switch, if it changes state it should switch the light. 00) If the switch was off and the light was off it should turn the light on when you switch the switch on. 10) If the switch was on and the light was off it should invert and turn the light on when the switch is switched off. 01) If the switch was off and the light was on, it should also invert and turn the light off when the switch is turned on. 11) If the switch was on and the light was on it should turn the light off when you switch the switch off. Powering it is also an issue as there is usually only a + and a switching wire running to the switch, no - or ground.