How to Install a Smart WiFi Light Switch (for Amazon Alexa or Google Home)
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
- Learn how to install a Smart Wifi light switch with this step by step video and see how you can use Amazon Echo (Alexa) or Google Home (OK, Google) to control it. As always, please consult a certified electrician if you have any questions or concerns. Every wiring setup is unique so be sure to understand what you're looking at before proceeding.
When you get these installed, they're a ton of fun and super convenient!
Need to install a 3-Way Smart Switch? Learn how at • How to Install a Smart...
PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO (these are affiliate links):
Highest Rated Switches ($23 each, 4.7 Stars):
• Meross Smart Light Switch (2 Pack, $45.99):
amzn.to/2SsWSNh
I don't recommend the specific switches shown in this video (KMC). They have been problematic and I'm trying other switches instead.
• Kasa Smart WiFi Switch WITH DIMMER (Not shown in the video): amzn.to/2SvyfQ6
• Voltage Tester: amzn.to/2RloGps
• Decora 2 Gang Wallplate: amzn.to/2RsV3CQ
• Decora Single Pole Light Switches (not WiFi): amzn.to/2AlqtRN
• Direct Plug Cordless Screwdriver: amzn.to/2VcOR0J
MORE DIY GOODNESS:
Get additional info and download the plans at:
lrn2diy.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: / lrn2diy
Instagram: / lrn2diy
TWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS!
To get two free audiobooks from Audible, just follow this link: goo.gl/QGFC4Q
FILMING EQUIPMENT:
Learn about the equipment I use for my videos at www.lrn2diy.com/my-gear - Jak na to + styl
Lol didn't know Kimi Raikkonen loved diy ;)
Bwoah
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Wow. Not the comment I expected in such a random video. I’m am so grateful it’s here tho. Bravo
he will be missed
Probably spent all of his racing career money and now renovating homes. Life is hard 😂😁
Best video I've seen on this subject. The diagrams were clear and easy to understand.
Your 'Alexa' command in the intro shut off my Nvidia Shield lol
Thanks for making this! Very helpful.
I wish every youtuber put the same effort u put on ur videos!!
🙏 thank you
That’s very kind of you!
Thank You was so helpful!
This was a very helpful video Sir Thank You
Nice clean editing.
Just a tip I've seen on a couple other channels... Instead of saying Alexa or Hey google, mute the audio and print the wake word on the screen. Great channel.
Agree! :) My Alexa went crazy while I was watching this great vid.
No sé inglés y aún así te entendí 👌🏽😂 excelente video
Thank you man it worked for me thx
Love it and I was thinking of starting a small business in my community to install smart devices for neighbors n such n it seems I may begin the process!
Better late than never comment, if you are dealing with electrical cabling in the house such as with this video's install, and you are doing the install for someone else, you really should be a licensed electrician else could get in serious liability issues.
Alexa: "Sorry, I didn't find a device called Master Bedroom Light." Amazing since my laptop volume was way down.
mine did as well lol
Does it matter whick black lines you put in which section? (The line/Holt one)
Great video!
Helpful, thanks!
thanks for helping out really appreciate!!!
You should show how to identify the different "Live" and "Load" wires.
Yea, very important
Thanks sir good job 💪👍
Warning: If you have an older house the wall box may be too small to fit a 3 times larger switch and the extra connector caps. Then you have to put the old switch back or tear up your wall for a new box.
How "old" are we talking?
I think it depends on the house.
My house was built in 2007.
And I’m trying to figure out the fourth wire, the white one if there’s even one in there .
I’m sure there is a positive and a negative wire in a ground wire, but not sure about the other wire white one that you’re talking about .
Thanks
Excellent Video
The model of switch I purchased has four wires, a green ground, a white neutral, a black for the line end of the hot side, and a red for the load side. I could not get the switch to work until I realized I had misidentified the load and line ends. Line comes from the entrance panel, load goes to the light or whatever. If you can't get the switch to work, try changing the black wires around.
Great video! I'm thinking of picking up a couple of these.
Can you turn off the blue light on the switch? Does it turn off after a while of inactivity?
The lights stay on but they’re very subtle, not like an annoying bright LED. It’s blue when it’s on and white when it’s off.
@@LRN2DIY thank you for the snappy reply!
awesome I will turn ,my new house into wifi now
Thanks for your video. Do you know if the cover plate size is standard? I'm planning to buy one for my 2 and 3 gang plate.
It is standard, yes. I have several 2, 3 and 4 gang plates with these smart switches and they all fit fine. The wiring behind tends to be a bit more squished but it works.
My new 1957 house has only two prong outlets, assuming no ground wires either, in the walls in the bedrooms. The kitchen and bathroom outlets have been converted to grounded GFCI’s by the electrician who rewired these areas. But now I’m wondering about how to plug in my devices: Modem, TV, printers etc. I want to put in the smart switches that you were showing in this video. Do I have to get the electrician back or is it something I can do myself? Thank you!
wow, very cool !
Hello thanks for the video... I was installing a smart switch but its not working
I have 2 black wires 1 red and 2 whites... there's only 3 holes in the switch... i don't know where to put them, can you help me?
I purchased a Honeywell Home RPLS740B1008 and it comes with Load, Line and Neutral. The current switch is connected to the Load, Line and Ground. I know i have to connect the Load to the Load, Line to Line and Neutral to Neutral, but what do i do with the Ground wire that was previously connected to the old switch?
Why did you have two wires on one screw? Did this switch previously control two lights, or a light and a fan at the same time?
With these smart switches, if I press the button to turn a light off can I still you voice activation to turn the light back on?
Hi, in case the WiFi disconnects for any reason, when it comes back, the switch will connect automatically, or you have to do the steps again . thank
Beginning of the video made my Alexa say “did you mean bedroom?” 😆
I just installed several of the TreatLife switches in my 60-year-old house. So far none of the issues reported on the KMC switches (which is never heard of and appear to be no longer available). They work great but my experience was entirely different - much more frustrating and complicated. More the “fault” of the house than the switches. The boxes in my house are small, old, and brittle. The larger size of the switch, and the need for wire nuts, means the box gets overfilled quickly, and I found the boxes difficult to stuff back into the box. The switches are so large and the boxes were so small that they were an interference fit.
In one instance it was so tight that it caused a bad “button press action”, and would either not work or work with a mind of its own. That was a 3-way so I pulled it out and moved it to the other box which was a 2-gang; still tight but a bit more capacity for the wires.
On another 3-way I decided to cut out the old box and replace it to avoid the interference fit, but that got complicated and messy. The old box was held onto the stud with a metal bracket; I had to cut away drywall to expose the bracket so I could cut it off and remove the old box. Since I had cut so much away, I tried to turn lemons into lemonade and install a 2-gang box with an added receptacle. But there still remains a hole to patch. I also found that it was wired such that the hot (line) originated downstairs, was sent upstairs (through other lights, switches, and outlets) to the 3-way switch, and then back down again (i.e., travelers) to the other 3-way switch. Took me over a week to figure that out.
My point being: if you have an older home, know your electrical system first so you understand the challenges it will present when attempting to install these switches.
My condo was built in 1914. Subdivided in 79..80. Probably gonna run into similar issues. My brother is going to show me how to do the install for the wall outlets too. Upgrading to USB and nightlight plugs. Any tips or heads-up I should look out for? Plan to do this in a couple weeks.
So why was there extra line wires attached to the switch at 3:00?
Mine doesn’t have the white wire neutral ?? Can u make a video on that? My switch just has the two live wire and ground
FYI, That near field voltage detector has a button you press to turn it on.
Was about too say why did the pen not blink green 😂😂
Excellent video, but you activated my Alexa at least 3 times 😃
Her name muted out in future videos would be helpful
You didn't explain what was those two black cables for or where are they coming from. Thanks
Thanks for the video,
Please help on how to connect this to a mesh google wifi because it doesn’t know which frequency to connect to.
Is there a bypass tip?
I actually use Google Mesh routers myself and they're all working fine. They broadcast both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz signal at the same time and these and other smart devices can connect to the 2.4 automatically. I have 75 devices on my network and they connect on their own just fine. Most smart home devices can only connect to 2.4 and they should do so automatically.
LRN2DIY thanks for the reply. I ordered a bunch of smart switches and Smart GPOs and sensibility sky to be connected to my Nest wifi.
You mean doesn’t matter if smart drives can connect to 2.4 band only, they will automatically connect to 2.4 band on nest wifi right?
For extra security, can I and should I make a Guest Network on Nest Wifi and connect all smart devices to the Guest Network and all main important phones and laptop to main network on Nest?
Thanks for you help again
@@TaiPham-vi5jy That's correct - it broadcasts both bands with the same name so whichever your device needs it will connect to. You can set up a 2.4 GHz guest network but it's not required. Granted, my router setup is not the new "Nest" branded mesh network, it's the original Google Mesh, so you'll want to double check that nothing has changed there. We have all 75 devices on the main network and we can still stream 4k on all our TVs, do Zoom meetings on laptops, all that. We don't use our guest network.
LRN2DIY thanks so much man. This helps a lot
How does it work if you are out of the country ? Does it also work outside the country you are living?
Do they make a WiFi wall switch for a "3-way" ? I have a a light currently I can turn on/off from 2 locations.
Yes, just search for "smart 3 way switch."
I had to do the positive black wire to the black wire to the light switch and pair the negative black wire to the red wire from the light switch with govee
So will these work with a 2 or 3 way light switch? (a set of lights controlled by 2 separate switches)
Big Iris Productions if you buy a two way smart switch. That’s only necessary for when physically turning the light off and on. Which, you’ll likely still do regularly.
@@day2day734 Thanks for the reply. We got it figured out finally. Thanks for the video.
what particular switch is this. Does it run on 11-220v (dual voltage)
solar power
Does it matter what hot wire connects to the hot wires on the light switch? I know nothing about electricity and wiring.
Interesting...I'm new to this and have Alexa Show. My question is this: 3 single pole switches all need a neutral. Can you wire the switches together and then run 1 wire to the neutral bundle in the box? Or do you have to run 3 seperate neutrals to the screw cap for the neutral? Thanks
Is it compatible with Apple HomeKit?
Can you connect it with HomeKit?
@lrn2diy - I was trying to install a smart switch today in my garage single pole switch and had to back out sadly.
I also noticed 2 pink wires plugged together at one end. Should be 2 live wires (Along with 1 black load wire and 1 ground wire). Wanted to understand why 2 live wires exist? Does this power the garage opened installed just above the switch? And also please let me know if I should plug both pink wires together in smart switch and go ahead with installation as you did in this video?
Hello Atul, sorry to hear about the troubles with the install. Because every wiring setup is different, and because an installer can choose to use any wire color they want, I wouldn't really be able to tell you how to troubleshoot your particular scenario. I will say that in most boxes, you'll see two wires connected to the existing switch (typically those will be the load/live wires) and, if you have neutrals in the box, they should be wired together and not touching the existing switch. All you'd be doing in this installation is replacing the old switch with the new (your ground plus your two live lines) and then running the neutral wire from the switch to the neutrals in the box. In the end, the colors don't matter much as long as you can identify which is which. When in doubt, however, there's no shame in calling a certified electrician to help. Good luck!
LRN2DIY Thank you for your reply 😄 I was able to figure it out. I had 2 load wires and 1 live wire.
If for whatever reason the internet stops working, can you still manually use the lights?
I have 2 ground wires in the same box but tied off with a wire cap. They were not connected. The smart dimmer I have is by Enbrighten and has two holes. Can I put in both wires in both holes or do I need to piggy tail it together?
I’m not familiar with that switch but if you’re certain those are both ground wire slots, then yes - you can put both wires in. If that doesn’t work out, you’ve always got the pig tail option.
Does this switch have the option to have an automatic timer that turns the light on and off?
No but the app can
@@KronicDaydreamZ thanks for the reply. I ended up getting a honeywell unit that you put your longitude and latitude in and it auto changes sunrise and sunset.
what type of led bulb you have?
Way more useful than a ouet. I hope they have 2 and 3 switches..... Thanks for video!!
They do indeed. 3-way switches are available and you can check out my recent video on installing them. It includes links to 3-way switch kits. czcams.com/video/Er5nGIZX1dg/video.html
Why do I do with the red line on my gosund? Nothing seems to be working. I have it connected and there is power. But its not connecting to app or wifi.
Does it matter which load-hot wire goes with the switch?
Example: on orginal switch a wire was on top and one was on bottom.
It doesn't. Just like with a standard switch, you should be able to put either hot wire on either connector. As long as both are there, it should function the same.
@@LRN2DIY thanks
I have a 2013 home and only have neutral wires running to my living room fan and outdoor lights. Very frustrating!!
I believe you can still do the same operation by buying a samsung smart things, then a Phillips hue set, connect them, buy Hue lightbulbs and you are set. My goal is to have this done to heating, water ,lights and plugs. It is not that complicated.
I tried installing a Wifi Light switch but had some issues with the wiring. There is a total of 9 wires, 3 black wires, 3 ground wires and 3 White wires. Out of the '3' black wires, '1' gives a reading of 120v(hot wire), '2' have a reading of '0'.....the ground wires give a reading of '0'..... The 3 Neutral wires give out some different reading. 1 of them gives a reading of 120, another gives a reading starting at 120 then the reading starts to go down by 1 volt at a time. The last white wire gives a reading of zero. If I connect the Wifi plug wires into the home wires, not only does the plug turn off the room light, it also kills power to most of the outlets around the house.
Call an electrician.
What does the neutral wire do?
The neutral wire completes the circuit, making it so there is always power to the switch, which is why it's required so it can stay connected to WiFi and listen to the signal to turn on and off.
Would this work with a light bulb that's changes color and controllable with Alexa?
It would be redundant, but yes it would work still.
Any ideas about the lifespan of this switch
Can you get a smart light switch to turn on and off a smart light bulb?
I bought a light switch kit that's a 3 way. Can I install these in 2 diffetend rooms for example a bedroom and a kitchen?
That depends. Certain 3 Way Smart switches come with two switches that can each be used individually. Check out my other video on 3 way smart switches to see that one. Be sure to read the reviews thoroughly before buying.
Was wanted to see your install process through Alexa. I have a Hundun Smart wireless light switch but I cannot find it listed in Alexa. It says on the box "Works with Alexa"
You have to do it through the app for that brand not alexa.
Heads up, don't use a blur for hiding information, it can be reversed to show the hidden information,
A solid colored box would work better.
Hmmm - hadn't heard that. Good to know.I just read a short article on it and learned something new. Solid colors from now on :)
Do you have to have 1 switch per.room.or can this one switch control all rooms
It's one switch per light set. These single pole light switches work the same as your existing single pole switches. If you have a scenario where two or more light switches control one fixture/set of lights, then you can use the 3-way smart light switches and you only need to replace the master light switch, not the others.
hey is your light switch a 3 way switch?
Wifi ceiling fan smart switch consists of a black, red (light), yellow (fan), ground and neutral. Wall consists same minus yellow for fan. I tried to piggy back red to every color (not ground) but not successful. Please any recommendations. Im on my 2nd day and 100 googles & video's🙄
I have two pool lights with a regular 2 pole manual switch.
😫 of going outside to turn on and off. You think this might work? My wifi is right on the otherwise of the wall.
All I need is on and off from the phone or schedule.
As long as it can pick up the WiFi then you’re just going to love it. The voice integration alone for an application like that is so convenient.
@@LRN2DIY i end up picking up the other switch from TP-LINK kasa app. Because you mentioned this one is not working that well.
That’s a smart move, no pun intended 😉
Can this be also used manually? I mean if i press the button the light will turn on and off?
Yes, otherwise there is no reason to buy this. The rest can all be done without having to purchase a switch. If you didn't care about the switch, you could just buy a google home/alexa compatible bulb that connects to the wifi.
I have a question. If ur light is currently off and u ask Alexa to tune off the light instead of on , will the lights still turn on. As the switch does not seem to have a seperate control for on and off
LIVESH the command controls a relay in the switch. So if it’s off and you tell Alexa to turn it off it should not come on because the off command turns the relay off.
FYI, what you are referring to as wire "taps" are more commonly referred to as wire nuts (twist-on wire connectors). Wire taps are different animals altogether.
I was actually saying wire caps, not wire taps. I confess that when I relistened to it just now it was hard to tell, though. Like my mom used to tell me when I was a teenager, "You need to enunciate!" :)
@@LRN2DIY Too funny. I just ran it again and it could definitely be interpreted as "caps." Okay, just use "nuts" and end the confusion forever! 😉
Can I be on another WiFi network or connection to switch on or off if its paired
Yes. Once it's setup, you can control it from anywhere you have internet access.
My house is old and my light switches only has 2 wires 1 is black and another is white or both blacks and I wanted to install a WiFi smart switch , is there anyway I can install it ? Or is there a WiFi switch that don't use a neutral ? Because I'd bought some of the wifi switches but I didn't do it on a 2 wires yet some of my switches are new and updated and I could installed a WiFi switches and they're working good. Any idea with the switches with no neutral wires ? Thank you
Hey Brandon, there are several options out there called 2-wire smart switches but most of them require a hub. If you search for WiFi Switch No Neutral Required you'll see some options. They tend to cost more than the 3-wire switches, however. Best of luck!
Alexa can put off or put on a traditional switch to.
When you are pointing to something, it would be helpful to see the object.
Can you put a dimmer with that thing with a vocal order?
Jean Sébastien hay jean u would have to buy smart bulb for it to dim by KASA on amazon.
What is the consumption of the switch?
Well yeah, that's what we expected
Hi Man, love the video. Can I ask if this smart switch can turn its Wifi off and use as a normal light switch? I ask because I don’t want to use too much wifi bandwidth.
Thanks
Hi Tai, yes and no. There is no WiFi switch so you can't just turn it off but you can disconnect it in the app by removing the device. It's not a great way to go, though because then you have to add it again if you want to use it. It really doesn't take much bandwidth. I have over 70 devices connected to my WiFi and they work fine.
Can you control switches using a computer on you amazon account instead of an app when your not home? Just wondering
Hey Jovon, not to my knowledge. There is an Alexa website (for example) but it seems to be "read only" - no controls. Maybe somebody out there has a way to use a web interface to control these things?
How about if its a end line switch? Where the white acts as the hot? How do you wire those?
Ever find out?
Does this work the same with dimmable lights?
Same concept, yes. Most 3-way kits don't allow you to use either switch on its own but you can use a dimmable smart 3 way just like in this video.
What if I have a double switch for a fan?
What if there is only one hot line on the house wiring? Do I connect the two black wires from the switch to that one line?
RandomWorld ! Exactly.
@@LRN2DIY thanks for the help 🙏
The phone doesn't have to be connected to 2.4GHz. 2.4 and 5 are the same network (think different Ethernet cables - that's all WiFi replaces). As long as the switch and the phone are connected to the same router it will work.
I've got screws loose. Yeah the whole kit and caboodle.
So I have a weird problem... i have both a green AND a copper wire in my light switch box. The problem is that they both run through the bottom and top of the box and I have no way to disconnect them. They were not attached to the original light switch. Do I NEED to attach these to the new switch?
Sounds like a pretty weird setup which, sadly, is not that uncommon. Is there already a ground attached to the switch? If not, you may need to use one of the ones you mentioned. If you're unsure, it might be best to get an electrician's help on that. If you choose not to ground the switch, or to leave it ungrounded, it will still work but you run the risk of shock.
I made my home smart using WiFi but Comcast shut down my internet for work and all my lighting,Alexa and smart devices on WiFi no longer worked. My ceiling fans with their remotes were not on WiFi continued working fine.
What if you only have one black, one white wire on the switch?
Do I have to turn off the entire house power?
The thing in my house that I am remodeling is, the light switch boxes only have one ground, one hot, one neutral. I already planned on rewiring the place, but, they did the lights strange in this house.
what if my switches only have 2 wires + neutral?
I just hooked up mine and it makes a click noise after u turn it on and off. Is this normal on 3 way switches? I noticed yours does as well. It doesnt do it on my none 3 way switches
That's pretty normal. I have a few brands at my house and some of them make that click sound when it turns on or off.
It's the sound of the electric relay inside. Some brands of switches are just louder than others. Normal mechanical switches don't have relays so you don't hear it.
do we have to be connected to the same wifi to operate the switch?
Nope. Once they're set up, you can control them from anywhere that you have the internet.
so does your phone need to be connected to the same wifi network in order to control or can you use the app anywhere in the world on an internet connection and control the lights? if you cant turn on the lights when you are away from the house then this light switch is useless
It works anywhere you have the internet. Virtually all "smart" devices are set up that way, or at least those that are set up with Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home Kit.
Alexa, tell this man he’s wicked handsome 😉
LMFAOO
Does it work on a multiple switch plate?
It does, you'll just need to make sure that the plate you have is fitted for the larger toggle switches. I have sets of 3 and 4 of these in one box/one plate in my house.