Wi-Fi Light Switch

Many of my projects use Raspberry Pi. But, more often an off-the-shelf product is more cost-effective or easier.

When I started on home automation, I couldn't see the value of automating lights. But, I was wrong. Wi-Fi enabled dimmer light switches are one of the simplest, coolest and best home automation projects.

With Wi-Fi lights and dimmers, I can use Alexa as my hub and say things likes:

Alexa, turn off lights (turns off all lights in kitchen, family room and play room)

Alexa, turn off movie lights (turns off lights when watching a movie)

Alexa, turn off upstairs light (turns off lights when kids forget to turn them off)

I use dimmers to control the speed of fans (set light bulb type to be incandescent) and to dim lights.

I use TP-link dimmers (HS220), Smart Switches (HS200) and 3-Way (HS210) light switches. Using Echo and the Kasa app, it is very easy to control the lights. 

Alexa supports all of these devices. Alexa can mix and match smart switches and dimmers from a variety of manufacturers.

In general, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. If you don't know what you are doing get a professional to do it. You could kill yourself or burn down your house.

Recommendation:

TP-Link are about $25 each. I usuaully buy 3 packs are when they go on sale.

Don't use WeMo. WeMo's have a variety of issues.

Here are my notes to make it a bit easier to install in the US. I can do two Wi-Fi dimmer switches in one switch box in less than 20 minutes.

Parts:

ROMEX cable

Winged Wire Connectors - Max Gauge: 5 - #12, which means five 12 gauge wire can be connected 

Alexa

Smart Home Dimmer, TP-Link Dimmer or TP-Link 3-way light switches

Lutron or custom wall plates

Notes:

TP-Link dimmer switches can be used for both the ceiling fan and the ceiling lights. To get larger range of dimming options, select incandescent lights for fans (i.e., not LEDs). 

A ceiling fan does hum when dimmed with a TP-Link HS220. 

TP-Link has 3-way switches, but does not have black dimmer switches. 

Instructions:

My rocker switches only have ground and 2 power wires. Most rooms in my house have a ceiling light and a ceiling fan. 

Cut 3 pieces of ROMEX 4-5 inches long. Push the white wire through and discard the rest. Strip 3/4 inch from each end of the white wire. 

With power shut off to the switch box, undo the neutral wire connector, which isn't connected to any of the switches. 

Photo 1: Unwind one of the white wires from the bunch. 

Photo 2: Wind one end of a Romex white to the bunch of wires and put the connector back. Combine the unwound wire, the ROMEX wire from the bunch and the other two ROMEX wires using one of the connectors listed in the parts above 

The two free neutral wires will be used for the switches being replaced

Photo 3: Connect everything following the instructions. Use back of screw driver to gently but firmly push wires into box

Photo 4: Don't tighten switches all the way or attach face plate until you confirm pushing all the wires back didn't loosen anything.

The TP-Link should be installed with the wires on the bottom. In my house, the "line" comes from the bottom of the box and the "load" goes out the top. This can be checked with a voltmeter.

Install the Lutron Faceplate

TP-Link 3-Way Switch

If 3 switches control one set of lights, then two of the switches are three way and one is a four way. A TP-Link 3-Way switch can replace one of three way switches. The four way switch has two red wires and two black wires. 

I am not sure if a TP-Link 3-way switch can replace a four way. 

Black traveller from old switch goes to red from TP-Link. Red traveller from old switch connects to black traveller from TP-Link.

The old 3-way switch in my Colorado house has 3 blacks wires connected. The two traveler wires are connected to the gold terminals.

Troubleshooting

In most of my switch boxes, the wires are easily identifiable as neutral (white), runner (red), line (black going out the bottom) and load (black going out the top). However, one switch box used red for the runner, load and line. My first attempt was to attach the wires as shown in one of the TP-Link diagrams. But the light just blinked. There are 9 possible combinations of runner, load and line connected to blue, black and red. I tried each in order, and the third combination worked.

TP-Link

TP-link sells a 3-way switch that includes 2 switches. The TP-link 3-way switch does not support dimmer. Only one of the 3-way TP-link switches is required. Install one TP-link switch, follow the setup application and when it asks to do the next switch, close the app. Then install the next switch in a different 3-way location.

N-way switches require a runner. In my Texas house, the red wire was the runner. 

The old 3-way switch in my Colorado house has 3 blacks wires connected. The two traveler wires are connected to the gold terminals

Alexa  / Echo

After the first TP-Link device is installed, subsequent devices are quickly found by Echo. It is very easy to create groups, such as, turn off all lights, turn off kitchen lights. The TP-Link switches work together via Alexa (no other home hub is required).