Best smart wall switch6/19/2023 With the prevalence of low power lights now, it’s important that no neutral switches can operate correctly with these, so I’ve been testing the dual gang model on a couple of LED circuits. The maximum rated load for the switch is 600W for incandescent, and 200W for CFL/LED. Overheating could occur if you are running too much load through the switch, or if it’s borderline and the ambient temperature gets too high on a given day. This is a great safety feature and takes the guess work out of troubleshooting issues. On the subject of overheating, the switch can detect if it’s getting too hot and will automatically shut off the power to the lights. In the event of a shut down, the switch light will blink quickly red to indicate what has happened. The lights are also used during pairing to indicate if the switch is in pairing mode, if the ZigBee network has lost connection, or if the switch is over heating. This is useful for troubleshooting a light that isn’t working. Under normal operation (as is typical with smart switches) the LED will indicate if the switch is on or off. Indicator lightsĮach switch button has a small LED light used to indicate various status information. You can then pair it to the hub at your leisure using the Aqara smart phone app. Once connected and the power turned back on the switch should immediately start working as a manual switch. The ground wire is there for safety compliance, but is not actually required for the switch to work. To install, you simply wind together the corresponding wires in the wall box using the included wire nuts, and screw the switch into place. The switch has Live, Load (two for the dual gang model) and Ground wires built in. The minimum rated load is only 3W for incandescent and 5W for CFL or LED lights. In Aqara’s case, the use of ZigBee means the current draw is very small (ZigBee requires a tiny fraction of the power for WiFi) which negates the need for the capacitor. This adds some complexity and risk to the install. To get around this a capacitor often needs to be installed at the socket which diverts that small current away from the light itself to avoid it blinking while ‘off’. It also contains an 80dB siren which you can use to build a DIY home security system using Aqara’s range of wireless sensors and cameras, along with automated arm and disarm behaviors, so that’s quite a bonus. The hub itself plugs right into a wall socket and can act as an RGB smart lamp on it’s own. Just be aware that doing so limits you to Aqara’s products only, whereas hooking into Amazon, Google, or Apple’s platforms opens up a lot of other possibilities. You can of course set up a range of automations right in the Aqara app and use it as your smart home platform if you choose. In this regard Aqara has scored well, and makes it a great option for adding switches and other devices to your setup. I tend to focus on integration with other smart home platforms, as this gives you the most flexibility in terms of device options and capabilities, and being able to switch platforms limits the risk of hitching your wagon to a single company. The inclusion of HomeKit is significant as there are very few options for no-neutral smart switches in that space, and they can be quite pricey. The hub allows for full integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, which means you can then include the switch in automations and scenes along with your other (non-Aqara) smart devices. The use of ZigBee means you do need a hub (which is sold separately) but that means Aqara can add support for other platforms to their entire product lineup through that one interface. Aqara Switch Features Aqara Hub and Integration You can read more about this in my Enthusiasts Guide to ZigBee. Key to these are reliability, and low power consumption. The switches work via the ZigBee communication protocol which offers some distinct advantages in the smart home. The functionality is the same either way, and there is nothing preventing you using the no neutral model in a house with neutral wires available. If you don’t have a neutral wire available, be sure to select that model. The are different models for installations with and without a neutral wire to the switch box. If the power is off, then the smart light won’t work. While you can control smart bulbs with a smart switch, you’ll be just turning the power on and off to the light socket. It’s only certified for 120V 60Hz, so unfortunately it’s not a viable option for other countries.Īs with other smart switches, these are intended to provide smart control for dumb lights. The US model of the Aqara Smart Wall Switch offers one and two gang light switch models that can be controlled either manually, by pressing the buttons on the switch plate, or remotely via the Aqara Hub.
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