Lamps plugged into outlets controlled by smart switch-- need wiring advice

[Djmikewatt (Michael A Farese)]

Hello, all… I have a question before I install a smart switch.

I currently have Phillips Hue and SmartThings. I have a standard light switch on the wall that controls an electrical outlet. I have to lamps with Hue bulbs plugged into that outlet, along with other things also plugged into those outlets. What I want to do is replace the standard light switch with a z-wave dimmer. I want to ensure that the power to the outlets is always on (as if the light switch is always on). The switch control only the Hue bulbs… on/off/dim… but anything else in those outlets should always stay on.

Is this how it works automatically? Or is this something that doesn’t work? I’m just still trying to catch up on how all this works.

Thanks, all!

[JDRoberts]

@Djmikewatt

Hello, all… I have a question before I install a smart switch.

I currently have Phillips Hue and SmartThings. I have a standard light switch on the wall that controls an electrical outlet. I have to lamps with Hue bulbs plugged into that outlet, along with other things also plugged into those outlets. What I want to do is replace the standard light switch with a z-wave dimmer. I want to ensure that the power to the outlets is always on (as if the light switch is always on). The switch control only the Hue bulbs… on/off/dim… but anything else in those outlets should always stay on.

Is this how it works automatically? Or is this something that doesn’t work? I’m just still trying to catch up on how all this works.

Thanks, all!

If I understand your question, you can do it if you change the wall switch so that it is no longer a load control switch and doesn’t control the outlets at all. All it will do is send a message to the smartthings hub which will then send a message to the bulbs.

A popular switch for this purpose is the go control/Linear WT00z accessory switch which is not intended to control a load. Although it says it will work only was zwave bulbs, since you are using SmartThings, it will also work with zig be bulbs or hue bulbs connected to the hue bridge because the switch passes message to the hub and the hub passes the message to the bulb.

https://www.amazon.com/Gocontrol-Z-Wave-3-Way-Accessory-Switch/dp/B00EAY3K5Y

See the FAQ on switches to use with smart bulbs and it goes into the details more ( this is a clickable link)

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?

[Djmikewatt (Michael A Farese)]

This is helpful, but I’m still not sure what to do with the wiring within the existing switch in this scenario. I want the outlets to remain powered, so the existing switch must be stuck in the “on” position when it’s removed. This is just a hair out of my comfort zone.