Hey there guys, I have had trouble figuring out something about how Zwave in wall dimmers/switches like this work and how Microcontrollers like this and this work.
I also wanted to know the best course of action for a few of my lights. (NOTE: I want all of the actual switches in the wall to look identical, but I’m okay buying new ones)
1) Some of my living room lights are controlled by 3 switches and that system is currently f***ed. I have to balance a pattern of switches between on and off to keep the lights off. So what would I install or have someone install for this to be fixed? Would the Microcontroller replace the current one and just connect to zwave?
2) I also have kitchen lights just like the above, but they work fine and have 2 switches. How would I go about adding zwave to those?
3) Other lights in my living room work fine, but are controlled by 1 switch. I just want to add zwave, microcontroller or not. Also, where do I find these microcontrollers?
4) What would I buy and how would I install things to meet these needs? Also, where do Phillips HUE lights come into this?
PS: This is said and structured poorly, I know. I am by no means an electrician or an organized person lol. If you have questions, feel free to ask.
Cheers!
EXTRA: Anyone know of good soundbars that just take a regular speaker input from a reciever? All I can find are wireless ones and system included sets.
If living room is already F’d up you really only have 2 choices.
A Hire an electrician and pay them by the hour/day to figure it out and wire it correctly.
B Provided you have neutral wire at the switches. Install a Z-wave switch at one point attached to the load ( switch A ) . Then install Z-wave switches at all the other switch locations (Either regular or add-on switches) . Only connect these to Line, Neutral & Ground DO NOT connected to the load ( Switches b, c, d ) . Have an automation run that if Any of the switches are turned on/off, then turn the rest on/off. This may result in a couple second delay in the lights actually turning on/off, but not too noticeable .
Kitchen
Provided it has the proper traveler, get 1 regular and 1 add-on switch, simply replace the 2 switches.
Other lights
Why would you go with a microcontroller and not just replace the switch to match the others ?
Hue lights come in in places where you either want adjustable color or whiteness, or places where you do not have the proper wiring ( or ability ) to replace the switches. Like in lamps or the lights in ceiling fans.
Extra
Best Buy has Insignia sound bars that are not wireless and have regular L/R phono plug and/or 3.5mm inputs.