Newbie Needs Lighting / Switch Help

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

I am a new Mi Casa Verde user as of yesterday, so far happily controlling the locks to my doors. Now I am looking at controlling some lights also, and I don’t quite understand a few things. An example of what I intend to do is probably best . . .

I have a dual switch plate by my front door that controls the porch light and foyer light. I also have a dual switch plate at the top of my stairs which controls the same foyer light and a hallway light – so the foyer light is a 3-way circuit. I also have 2 other single switch plates that control the same hallway light – so the hallway light is a 4-way circuit. Note that so far all of these are just old-fashioned switches that came with the house (relatively new house, so hopefully good wiriing) – none are z-wave enabled yet.

I want to control all 3 of these lights – porch, foyer (currently 3-way), and hallway (currently 4-way). I also would like things to “look” good, meaning that in two of these locations I have old-fashioned dual switch plates, and I think it would make sense to keep that “look”, as opposed to having a single opening plate with multiple switches.

I am confused on a couple of things. Which switches do I need “switches” for and which switches do I need “controllers” for? What are “relays”? Do all of these various types of switches and controllers come with the wall plates too, for single openings at least? Some pictures show a wall plate, but most do not, and I don’t see it specified anywhere.

I think if someone could help me understand how to setup these first couple of lights and switches then I would have the basics I need to do other lights.

Thanks, Paul Wilson

2

Welcome!

Switches and controllers: this is a pretty complex question actually, but switches typically control local loads and controllers typically control scenes–but these are not rules and there are exceptions to them. There are also “scene capable” switches and controllers that also control local loads. I would suggest that what you’re wanting to do would be best done with switches. For the three and four switch applications could be done with one Z-Wave switch and “coordinating” remotes.

The easiest way to think about relays is that they are switches which control other switches. They are used to isolate loads. Think about a 120v switch to control a 12v load.

The switches that I’ve seen do not come with switch plates, but they work with standard plates that are available anywhere. Some switches come with more than one “cover” so that you can change the color of the switch to match your other switches.

3

what you need is a z-wave enabled switch to turn on and off the lights or a dimmer if you want to dim the lights, you only need one of these per circuit then you will need matching aux switches for the other locations that control that light, my understanding is you have two three ways and one four way so you will need three z-wave switches and 4 matching aux switches. the aux switches are alot less expensive but look identical to the z-wave one. most of the ones you will find are the decora style and standard dual switch plates will work one them.