How to Wire a Smart WiFi Switch to a 3-Way 2-Way Setup?

[Senthu23]

Hi all,

I'm trying to install a smart WiFi switch in place of my existing light switches, but I'm a bit confused about the wiring. Here's my current setup:

• Downstairs switch: Has L1, L2, and COM three times.
• Upstairs switch: Has L1, L2, and COM twice (one set is unused).

The smart switch I have requires a Neutral and an L1 connection. How would I wire this correctly to replace the existing setup? Any advice or diagrams would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance!

 

[brianmoooore]

It's not going to be a straight substitute for either of the existing switches. Can you post pics of the existing wires in both switch boxes, so that we can get an idea of how it's all wired.

 

[Senthu23]

Attached the picture

 

[Senthu23]

The Top picture is upstairs that controls two lights which is connected to the bottom light, and the bottom controls three lights with one only being able to connect via the bottom.

 

[Avo Mk8]

There appear to be some wires, and possibly a taped up connector block, lurking in the top right of the back box in the first picture. Could you provide a pic of what's going on there? Could that be a neutral? (which would be unusual, given the wire colours)

Edit: Does the wifi switch you've bought claim to do 2-way operation? If it does, I would expect it to do it by rf communication with another smart switch, so they normally come in a pack of two, thus:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BSEED-Compatible-Control-Function-Required/dp/B0DKWJ7ZL6?

You won't be able to use the wifi switch you have bought together with a standard wall switch.

There was a thread on this topic here in 2021 UK - Smart wifi switch installation - ElectriciansForums.net Est.2006 | Free Electrical Advice Forum - https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/smart-wifi-switch-installation.196941/#gsc.tab=0

 

[Senthu23]

Perfect, i have ordered the Bseed one with 2 way to replace both the once i have. where would the wires go ? the taped up wire is from a old light which we dont use anymore

 

[Avo Mk8]

Perfect, i have ordered the Bseed one with 2 way to replace both the once i have. where would the wires go ? the taped up wire is from a old light which we dont use anymore

Somehow you'll need to establish which wire is the L feed to each of the three lights.
Helpful people here may have suggestions, but you'll need to do some investigation/checking - do you have a multimeter, know how to use it, and, sorry to be direct, are you competent with electrics?

 

[brianmoooore]

That might make it easier, but it's still not going to be a straight swap. One of the existing strappers can probably be repurposed as the 'control' wire, but you need to identify where the switched lives to the three light are and possibly repurpose other strappers to bring them all to one switch box.
You may (probably) have to access a junction box somewhere, and move wires there as well.

 

[Avo Mk8]

The switched live feed to at least one light, along with a permanent live, need to go to the smart switch installed upstairs, and the capacitor provided wired across that light fitting to provide power for that ("no neutral required") smart switch.
The switched live feed to at least one light, and a permanent live, need to go to the downstairs smart switch, and the other capacitor provided wired across that light fitting that it powers.
The buttons of the upstairs smart switch that are not wired to a light need to be paired with corresponding buttons of the downstairs ones that are connected, and vice versa for pairing the downstairs switch.

I don't think it's possible at this stage for members of the forum to remotely divine which wire needs to go in which switch terminal to achieve the above. If you Senthu23 don't feel confident to work it out, you might need the services of an electrician.

 

[brianmoooore]

you might need the services of an electrician.

It'll have to be a competent one as well. One who is capable of complex fault finding, not just some new build estate house basher.