Smart Switch Downstairs/Upstairs

Oneski · Mar 23, 2021

Hello,

I am trying to fit 2x smart switches into my new build property. The upstairs hallway light is controlled by both an upstairs switch and a downstairs switch.

What I would like to do is set up a smart Switch upstairs that acts as a the main switch and turn the downstairs switch into just a powered switch. I can them program them to do what I want.

My issues is that the smart switches require a neutral wire and the downstairs one does not have one.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Smart Switch Downstairs/Upstairs

For test purposes I have taken the grey cable from the upstairs and used that to feed take the neutral to downstairs. If I do this the smart Switch Downstairs powers on and works but this obviously messes the upstairs switch up.

I cannot seem to wire the upstairs switch in and have it powered.

I didn't want to mess to much with the wiring and have reverted it all back. This is how the upstairs was originally wired.

Could anyone advise if this is even possible. I don't require the downstairs one to act as a switch, it just at needs to be powered and have a neutral to it.

Thanks in advance.

Tim

littlespark · Mar 23, 2021

You are on the right line thinking you can use the 3 core to get a neutral to the second switch position.

can you show the back of your smart switches to show the wiring diagram, or the instructions that come with it.

are you wanting both smart switches to control the same light?

Some makes of smart switch have a “master” and a “slave”

Oneski · Mar 23, 2021

littlespark said:
You are on the right line thinking you can use the 3 core to get a neutral to the second switch position.

can you show the back of your smart switches to show the wiring diagram, or the instructions that come with it.

are you wanting both smart switches to control the same light?

Some makes of smart switch have a “master” and a “slave”

I'm happy with just having the upstairs lightswitch be the actual switch. The downstairs one just simply needs power and does not need to switch anything. Both of the switches connect via WiFi to a server running home assistant and I can program it so that when I press the downstairs switch it does the same.for the upstairs switch and visa versa.

The smart switches are Sonoff, single gang with N, Live In, Live Out.

Taylortwocities · Mar 23, 2021

There’s no two way facility on the switches themselves, but you may be able to do it using something called an “app” ( whatever that is).

littlespark · Mar 23, 2021

On your original switch, the two browns with the grey is a permanent live... the brown with black is the switched live going to the light.... the other brown in Common is part of the 3 core.

Get one switch working first. Disconnect the 3 core (brown, black and grey) entirely and just use the two browns described above as Live In, the single brown as Live Out and the blues as neutral.
It will be easier to joint the cables in the back box and bring a single wire into the switch terminal.

Once that is working, connect the 3 core back in to power the bottom switch. Then use the app to configure. (Will only need two cores. Tie the unused core earth at both ends.)

Always isolate the power before fiddling with connections.

Oneski · Mar 23, 2021

littlespark said:
On your original switch, the two browns with the grey is a permanent live... the brown with black is the switched live going to the light.... the other brown in Common is part of the 3 core.

Get one switch working first. Disconnect the 3 core (brown, black and grey) entirely and just use the two browns described above as Live In, the single brown as Live Out and the blues as neutral.
It will be easier to joint the cables in the back box and bring a single wire into the switch terminal.

Once that is working, connect the 3 core back in to power the bottom switch. Then use the app to configure. (Will only need two cores. Tie the unused core earth at both ends.)

Always isolate the power before fiddling with connections.