Is there a Hue compatible Zigbee inline switch? (UK)

I am in the UK and have used Philips Hue GU10s in my bathroom. I have both a SmartThings hub and a Hue bridge, and also Alexa.

I also have an extractor fan that is wired into the same circuit as these GU10s. Both operate via the same switch - when the lights are on the fan is on. When the lights are off the fan is off.

However, to use the Hue bulbs properly via Alexa voice control the switch has to obviously be on all the time (so the bulbs have power). This means the fan is on too, which is not great.

What would be the best way to link the fan to the Hue lights? Is there such thing as an inline switch for Zigbee and then maybe a IFTTT connection? I have looked and the Zigbee certified products range but can’t see anything obvious (here).

Thanks!

Since you have a hue bridge, you don’t have to worry about zigbee in this situation. The hue bridge forms its own mini network with The devices connected to it. Then it communicates with the smartthings hub via LAN. All of which is to say you can use any protocol device for the switch that can communicate with the SmartThings hub.

I don’t know if UK safety codes allow you to tie off the lamps and leave them always on power. That’s one option some people do in the US. Then you could use a smart switch or in line micro to control the fan switch and set it up so that when the fan switch goes on, the message is sent to the smartthings hub, the hub sends a message to the hue bridge, and the. Smart bulbs come on. And the same thing when the switch is turned off.

Or you can add a battery powered or touch powered switch on the wall that just operates the smart bulbs. Or if you want to spend more money, you could have a Sparky split the circuit and use a dual micro.

So there are several different ways to do it. I’m just not sure what best fits your UK installation. But I do want to emphasize that it doesn’t have to be a zigbee device.

I’m going to bring @anon36505037 in on this because he’s done two whole houses in the UK and has used a lot of in-line devices and might have some ideas. And certainly a lot more knowledge than I do about UK wiring! :sunglasses:

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Thank you both, this is incredibly helpful.

I’m not actually using the SmartThings hub for anything else at the moment as I’ve got motion sensors/etc via the Hue bridge. Is there a Zigbee equivalent to the Fibaro Double Relay that you know of? This way I can simplify my setup.

Those all work with a smartthings hub, but None of those will work directly with the Hue bridge, which is ZLL, not ZHA. ( it’s possible that a zigbee 3.0 pocket socket would work with the hue bridge, but I haven’t heard of any specific brands yet. )

At the present time the only socket that I’m aware of that will work with the hue bridge, and then only in the UK, not the US, is the IKEA Tradfri. But it appears to depend on the exact version of firmware that you get, some people say they buy two and one works and one doesn’t. :scream:

I know you already know the following, I’m just putting it up for the OP so they understand what we’re talking about:

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@alias51 @JDRoberts
I have been looking for a solution to a similar requirement. I am looking for an inline switch suitable to use with a momentary pull cord switch for use in a bathroom.

I think I have found something suitable but it is only sold in America and whilst I might be able to get some shipped to the UK I was hoping to find someone first who had already used it to get some feed back.

See my post here - Zigbee micro module and momentary switch (UK)
and the product here - https://rgbgenie.com/?product=zigbee-3-0-plus-micro-controller-and-lamp-module-single-channel-trailing-edge-dimmer

The above module is Zigbee 3.0 and supports both HA and LL with LL being what Philips Hue uses. The only problem I see - for me at least is that whilst it would work with both Smartthings and Philips Hue it probably would not be exposed by the Philips Hue bridge to Apple’s HomeKit which is what I also want.

Correct, it is unlikely that the hue bridge will expose it to HomeKit for the reasons we’ve discussed elsewhere.

RGBGenie has put considerable effort into their devices, including getting some safety certifications (although not UL in the US). They seem to be aiming for a combination of the Phillips hue bridge and the Amazon echo plus market, which is a good thing. There are some community members using some of their products, Although I don’t recall discussion of that particular model.

There were some timing issues initially, and it will probably work best with the newer hub models for now. I think @vseven knows the most about them right now.

See the following:

I have, and use, the Z-Wave version currently but I did work with the RGBGenie guys on the ZigBee version. In fact when I ran into issues I talked to SmartThings staff and the RGB guys about it and long story short the issue should be (was?) fixed in the latest version of firmware for the SmartThings hub. The RGB guys have been trying to work with SmartThings to make sure their product works correctly and as of now the ZigBee version will work with the standard ZLL Bulb DTH which is nice because there is no fiddling that has to be done. It just discovers and works.

The Z-Wave one will mostly work with the “Z-Wave RGBW Bulb” DTH but I also wrote a DTH just for it that works a little better and has working device health.

I will also mention they have some nice remotes and wall mount touch panels that work with their controllers (and technically other manufactures device). Like you can Z-Wave associate their Z-Wave RGBW controller to their Z-Wave touch panel then also add it to SmartThings. So then you have local wall mounted control of the RGBW and all its features plus have it in SmartThings for automatons. I didn’t play much with the ZigBee/ZLL stuff other then the initial trying to get it working with SmartThings.

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@anon36505037 Thanks again for this diagram. I am in the process of trying to install it; you mentioned the fan will be synced with the lights programmatically; how would I go about doing this? Is there a way for ST to know when the Hue bridge turns the lights on/off, or can I link the Fibaro Relay to the Hue Bridge itself and set a scene?

Hi JDRoberts, I am thinking of investing in the Logitech Harmony Elite to automate my home theatre room. What is the best way to integrate my existing LED lights using a Zigbee or Z-Wave relay switch as opposed to buying a Philips Hue Bridge and replacing my lights ?

From what I understand I could do that using an ST Hub that would control the relay switch. How easy is it to integrate it into Harmony Elite so that I can control everything from the Harmony Elite remote control unit ?

Is there an easier method to achieve this ?

That would be pretty far off topic for this particular thread, but I’m sure it’s a conversation that a lot of people would be interested in. :sunglasses:

I suggest you start your own topic in the following forum section:

https://community.smartthings.com/c/projects-stories

Samazar

Hi JDRoberts, I am thinking of investing in the Logitech Harmony Elite to automate my home theatre room. What is the best way to integrate my existing LED lights using a Zigbee or Z-Wave relay switch as opposed to buying a Philips Hue Bridge and replacing my lights ?

From what I understand I could do that using an ST Hub that would control the relay switch. How easy is it to integrate it into Harmony Elite so that I can control everything from the Harmony Elite remote control unit ?

Is there an easier method to achieve this ?

We need to know which country you are in to be more accurate in suggestions.

Logitech used to have a product called the Harmony Hub Extender which allowed directly connecting Zigbee or Z-Wave devices to a Harmony setup but not only is this now discontinued it was only ever available in the US.

It is possible to link a Harmony Hub and Smartthings and I believe this is sufficiently in depth that Harmony can then control Zigbee etc. devices connected to Smartthings.

There are various Zigbee wired wall switches and in-line switches/dimmers but the choices depend on which country you are in as you need to consider things like 110v vs 220v.

For the UK Aurora Lighting’s AOne range which are all Zigbee is probably the current best option although it has some limitations from my own perspective.

Note: Some inline modules do not support also using a wired switch and this applies to AOne. You could link a wireless switch so that could be placed on a wall.

Hello,

Sorry to bring up an old thread - my first post here, about to invest in a SmartThings hub. I hope it’s not against etiquette to reply to old threads like this.

@alias51 did you manage to get this working? I have the same issue, I want to use GU10s in my bathroom; the extractor fan and the bulbs operate via the same circuit. I am also UK based.

You mention a diagram but I cannot see this (I think @anon36505037 ’ s post may have been removed - I’m sure I’ve been to this thread in the past and seen the diagram). Are you / anyone else able to advise on the wiring for using a Fibaro relay for this requirement? I’ve searched this forum and the wider net but can’t find a detailed guide.

Best wishes,

I am UK based and had the exact same issue which I resolved with the following setup:

  • Philips Hue GU10 lights
  • Fibaro switch for the fan - which I installed in the fan housing in the ceiling as they was more space for the switch and easier access to the wiring and where the wiring was obvious (just used the live and neutral going into the fan)
  • Leave the main light/fan switch on, covered with a Hue switch
  • An Aeotec Multisensor 6 (eats batteries mind, perhaps as I’m getting it to report too often) then gives me a movement sensor for the Smart Lighting automations and gives me a humidity sensor to turn the fan on and off

Hope that helps.

Ah ok, an interesting alternative. I will have a look into this option (already have a different extractor, but
it does have a humidity sensor so could potentially use it the same way you use yours).

Thanks a lot for your response!