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Yeah, same here. I just don't see the need for a "mechanical indicator" like the OP seems to be asking for, because you can tell by the state of the room. Mech
by gregmac 3y ago
Yeah, same here. I just don't see the need for a "mechanical indicator" like the OP seems to be asking for, because you can tell by the state of the room.
Mechanical switches aren't even reliable for this because of how 3-way switches work (their state doesn't indicate the state of the light). Unless you remember which are 3-way and which are single, you can't trust any of them. With smart switches in the same locations this is a non-issue.
An interesting thing is switches where you can't see if they're on as easily, such as the outside front lights, are for the most part fully automated (based on timer/door/motion and/or camera object detection) and we basically never touch the switch at all.
It's important to be consistent, though, since you technically can program the switches to do anything. In my house pressing up once turns the light on as you'd expect, but in some rooms the light will be less than 100% or have a warmer color temperature at night. Pressing twice turns on max brightness (or something similar, such as: 5000K color temp; also turning on the lights an adjacent room; turning on _all_ the backyard lights). I rarely use 3, 4 or 5-taps except for a couple special things (eg: 4x off on my office switch puts my PC to sleep; 3x on one of the basement switches activates a "party mode" my kid loves).
- andsoitis 3y ago> Yeah, same here. I just don't see the need for a "mechanical indicator" like the OP seems to be asking for, because you can tell by the state of the room. It is an aesthetic concern. If you have two light switches next to each other, they can get out if sync by being in different positions but representing the same state (light on or off). That would be very ugly.
- thinkmassive 3y agoHave you ever used a three-way light switch? Plus the momentary switches are always centered, they look fine next to traditional switches in either position.
- karlshea 3y agoI think people are asking why he needs a mechanical indicator because there are a bunch of switches available now that don't have one but also don't really look out of place.
- thunfischbrot 3y agoI solved this by using "Push-Button Switches": https://katalog.gira.de/en/datenblatt.html?ean=4010337126034&car=1 https://katalog.gira.de/en/datenblatt.html?ean=4010337126034... They look like a push-button, are therefore always "aligned", though the electrical switch alternates between open and closed.
- Symbiote 3y agoMy apartment has stateless switches for the radio controlled lights. (I don't know the details of the system.) I've lived there for over 5 years, and I still regularly press the wrong switch where there are two or three next to each other.
- jgalt212 3y agoTrue. If you have a 3-way switch next to a 2-way switch, you get the same confusion.
- nucleardog 3y ago> If you have two light switches next to each other, they can get out if sync by being in different positions but representing the same state (light on or off). I have some of these: https://www.thesmartesthouse.com/collections/800-series-z-wave-long-range-devices/products/zooz-700-series-z-wave-plus-on-off-light-switch-zen71 https://www.thesmartesthouse.com/collections/800-series-z-wa... (Third photo shows a side view.) They can't be in different physical positions. They're momentary switches. When you press it up then release, it goes back to centered. The only indication of state on the switch is the (configurable/optional) little LED at the bottom of the switch. I have mine set so it's white if the switch is off (helps you find it in the dark), and off when the switch is on. So if you have any 3-way switches in your house (I do!), it's actually an improvement as far as your concerns.