Help with light switches required

General Discussion
1

Hi All,
I’m new to wireless type switches etc. and am after some advice.
I have some Belkin bulbs which I have connected to my ST hub.
I have rules set up etc. mainly for when I am away and they work OK.
I have decided that I need to move on with my home automation and instead of just turning my lights on and off with the wall switches while not on holiday and the switches left on and rules doing the work while I am away I want to somehow combine the two.
The lights are controlled from 2 places that can turn them on and off. (one switch upstairs and one switch downstairs).
So the gist of what I am after is this:-
A switch that is pushed to turn the lights on or off but leaves the lights powered when off so that my away rules kick in when I am out. That way I can get the rules to turn my lights on when I arrive home but when I am home can then control them from the wall switch to turn them on or off.
I hope this all makes sense!!! :wink:

2

Have you had a chance to look at the light controls FAQ for the UK? It covers most of the current options:

3

So the gist of what I am after is this:-
A switch that is pushed to
turn the lights on or off but leaves the lights powered when off so that
my away rules kick in when I am out. That way I can get the rules to
turn my lights on when I arrive home but when I am home can then control
them from the wall switch to turn them on or off.

Hello! I just started using SmartThings recently and have been thinking about how to set up my own home.

In the case you are looking for, I want to say you may get in trouble if you want to use smart switches and smart bulbs. I also briefly looked at the UK FAQ which may similar to what I’m going to write.

Since there are no switches that continue to provide power when switched off, you can either:

  • Keep the smart blulbs and use a button control that you can mount to the wall to trigger the lights though SmartThings
    -or-
  • You can swap out the bulbs and install smart switches which you can control. The switches will control the lights both manually and though the automation settings. (You can leave the smart bulbs in and set up the rules for the switch but might as well just use the switch and use the bulbs elsewhere)
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