Is this possible? (GE Z-wave Switch + Hue)

[JDRoberts]

You should not use a smart switch that controls the current with a smart bulb. Let the Smart bulb decide for itself how much current it needs and keep it always supplied with available current. The reason is that if you are regularly turning the current on and off with the switches, the inrush when the switch is turned on can damage the bulb. It’s all right if there is the occasional rare power outage, but otherwise, don’t have these bulbs on a switch that controls the current to them, smart or not.

Also, you are correct that most switch models will not send an on event to the hub if the switch is already in the on state.

So what do you do instead? Well, there are many options. See the FAQ for what switches to use with a hue bulb for details. You will be able to have a switch on the wall and using that switch will turn the bulbs on and off, but you will never have the problem where the switch is off and so the bulb doesn’t come on. Again, details in the FAQ:

FAQ: Philips Hue and Other Smart Bulbs - What sort of light switches to use with them? (Long FAQ)

Thinking on a big move to Hue lights, the real question is - what switches to use with them? If they’re all automatable via ST and other devices, do I really want to put them all on controllable switches too? There’s the advantage that I can arrange to ensure those switches are on so that the the Hue bulbs would be too…but it also leaves open the ability for folks to just turn them off and leave them off. Hmm. Thoughts?