If your electrical connections and switches are not properly planned then your cost to implement smart switches will increase. Installing more than the average number of smart switches will increase electricity consumption. Whenever you are implementing ceiling light, ceiling speakers and IoT; the complexity and electricity consumption is increasing. To keep the electricity bill lower, we suggest implementing solar panels.
Please note that we are talking about the conventional rocker/piano switches which are made smart by adding a circuit for making these retro switches smart. We are not talking about the glass panel touch switches.
Hardware I expect in a Bedroom
If you are implementing an underfloor heating system then do not add smart switches to this system. There are mechanical timer switches which will reliably work even if there is an electrical failure. Making a conventional split air conditioner “smart” is easy because the unit will not start after an electrical failure unless you press the start button. You can neither view nor can directly feel an underfloor heating system. You can make the below-listed stuffs smart without any risk:
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- Ceiling lights
- Any other light you want
- Ceiling fans
- 5 or 6 Amp sockets/power outlets
- May be a conventional split air conditioner. Although I do not suggest so.
- May be a quartz heater or an oil-filled heater.
- Television
- Amplifier, set-top box etc
- Curtain bots usually have their own app to control
Example Electrical Layout Plan for Bedroom
If you are new to this website, kindly read our previous articles on ceiling light and ceiling speakers. The ceiling lights need to be made smart. A power socket closer to the door will normally handle the panel lights and COB lights. Usually, 2-3 switches are required for the panel lights and 1-2 for socket lights. This panel will also have a ceiling fan switch (but not a regulator). All of these 5+1 switches will be 2-way switches plus connected to a smart switch circuit. 5+1 means five light switches and one switch for the fan. This board is the main switch panel of your room.
The other boards are usually around the television, bed, mirror and washroom. You do not need to make all of the switches in the room smart. There are three more sets of switches which can be made smart. One is the room heater (which is a 16 Amp socket), the switches for corridor panel light and optionally the curtain switches. Avoid making the switches around your bed smart. That is because the conventional switch panels are not designed to handle any event of a short circuit to the smart switch kit.
Use a GI box which easily fits the smart switch kit. You can use switches manufactured by any standard brand such as Anchor, Havells or whatever reliable brand is available in your country. Use at least 1.5 mm2 wire for the lights and at least 2.5 mm2 wire for the 16 Amp sockets. Avoid using too much thick wires such as 10 mm2 because they will leave no room for the smart switch kit.
Final Words
Because our topic is a smart switch, we have limited our options on electrical wiring. Making the switches smart make our life easier but they do carry certain risks and issues. The way we have directed is expected to decrease the risks and disadvantages.
