this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2023
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Home Automation

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Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

Warning: Working with electricity can result in injury, property damage, or even death if it is not done properly. Please keep this in mind while assisting others. If you are not sure about what you are doing, hire a licensed professional.

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3 way light switch advice - different types of switches (alien.top)
submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Outside house lights are controlled by two 3-way switches. One is inside the house and the other in the garage. The garage switch is the normal toggle switch. But inside is this decorator sideways switch. In the two decorator switches…one is the 3-way for the outside and the other is a 2-way for the foyer.

Looking for suggestions to automate the outside lights.

For 3-way switches inside, I’ve used the Lutron Caseta dimmer switch and Pico remote. I obviously can’t fit the Caseta dimmer in this sideways setup and if I install the smart switch in the garage, the Pico doesn’t fit the sideways either.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I don't think there are any products on the market to replace that setup as is.

You are going to have to cut the wall and double up (which would have bee the right way for the original installer to do this).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Make it a 2-gang box and then you can separate the switches.

Or if you want to keep it a single gang opening, automate the master side of the 3-way as well as the garage light. Then you could make the switch location in the picture a 2-Button keypad (one button for each load).

That’s how I would do it in Crestron, I’m not sure what keypad options Lutron has.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I had a similar problem but with a 3 gang 2 way split to 2 different switches. Ended up installing sonoff basic r4, the new magic mode made it possible for the 2 way to work.

I just hide them in the ceiling since all were downlights.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Kasa 3 way smart switches can handle this. Install the smart switch into the garage and leave this box alone. Although they are often sold as a 2 pack, you only need one smart switch on the circuit for it to work. I've done this several times in my house.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I have the same switches. What I did was use Lutron Claro/Diva switches on the other side of the 3 way and let these stick around as mechanical switches.

Those smart switches work with 3 way switches with only one of the switches being smart.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I see that Claro allows users to keep the other original 3-way toggle, by tying off and using the jumper wire. What I'm not sure about, is whether that's possible with the combo switch. Any thoughts?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I litterally did this, jumper and all, it worked like a charm. I have a combo switch with both 3-way mechanical switches and Claros on the other wall.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

What kind of hub? Aquara has 2 gang switches. Some zigbee switches are 4 gang.