New project - house refurb

@zcapr17 so are you saying that I could use say a raspberry pi with OpenHAB installed to say control the Fibaro dimmer? I guess what I’m saying is that an “open” solution where I’m not tied to a hub is something I would prefer.

@bobbles is fitting the module in the ceiling straight forward? the only lights I’m thinking of setting up are the living room which will be say 6-8 gu10 spots maybe on a dimmer and the landing lights which again spots but on a 2 way circuit.

Thanks

Yes, you could. You would need a Z-Wave transceiver HAT for the RasPi. Best to discuss the OpenHAB community forums as I can’t offer any first-hand experience myself.

FYI, when I looked at HA controllers, about 18 months ago now, I compared Fibaro/Vero/Zipato/SmartThings/OpenHAB and a couple of other platforms. I decided to pick SmartThings because it seems to have the best of both worlds. I.e. It’s supported by a big company and has many officially supported ‘big-name’ integrations (Hue/Nest/Alexa etc), yet it’s still a relatively open system with a huge community of developers meaning you can integrate pretty much anything (just look around this forum).

Yeah, I have LED downlights everywhere and I put the dimmers in these little round junction boxes from Screwfix. They fit back through the holes with no fuss.

Also, in case you’re interested, I use Legrand Arteor modular switches. You can get single/double/triple momentary switches in a 1-gang UK fitting. They come in dozens of colours and have a really nice feel. (I found them after seeing them in the hotel in the Shard):

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@zcapr17 nice pictures and switches! BTW, where did you buy the switches from as I really like them.

So I’m leaning towards the Fibaro dimmer module in the ceiling option but still unsure about the hub. If I went down raspberry pi route, what module would I need to buy to communicate with the fibaro dimmer? I’m assuming I need a z-wave dongle or something?

oh yeah …lol!

You do not need an additional module for the pi.
There is s thread which tells you how to set it up.
If I can follow it then it must be straightforward. :wink:
I will find it and attach it.

EDIT: Bit of a long thread but it does cover everything.

For some reason Legrand products are not common in normal retail electrical stores.I just went to my local electrical wholesaler and they ordered in the parts in for me (Legrand have a list of re-sellers on their site, so you should be able to find one close to you). I also got some of the button modules in bulk off eBay. They worked out ~£10-15 per complete unit, which I thought was pretty good.

Just to add - I have a 6 gang switch with 4 Fibaro devices in a 35mm deep back box. It’s tight - but do-able.

WOW 4!!, how on earth did you manage that with the switch gear for the physical switches?!

would love to see a picture of that!

how would the Fibaro cope with 2 way light switching? would I need a slave type module or something?

so if I have something typical like this 2 way wiring wise, how do I wire the Fibaro in?

Yes, it’s a double back box. 2 switches give power to Philips Hue so don’t need modules. I’ve taken the mantra that multiple lights need fibaro, single lights Philips due to cost. I’m new to this so happy to be corrected.

looking at the depth of the wall where the light switch is fitted, I don’t think it’s going to fit so if I was to wire the module in the ceiling, how would I wire this?

Thank you Robin, much appreciated!

Just a thought, this will be for my lights in my hallway which are 2 way but if I did something similar to the lights on the landing which are only one-way, could I use a wireless switch to control them? just annoying when sometimes you walk downstairs and you’ve left the lights on and you have to walk back up!

Too tired to answer in detail today but the battery powered popp/Devolo switches work well with SmartThings, come in many different color options, and have a very good custom device type handler created by AdamV. The popp Switch talks to the hub and the hub talks to whatever micro is controlling the light. ( or to a smart bulb if you are using those.) So you can put your two-way auxiliary switch anywhere you want. :sunglasses:

That’s probably the most popular option in the UK for a virtual two way using a battery powered device, and it’s a good one. :sunglasses:

As far as the other options that Robin mentioned like motion sensors, etc. , see the UK lighting FAQ:

Wow! that’s a lot of info right there and I’m grateful for your efforts @anon36505037 and @JDRoberts , thank you.

So If I wanted to control say the Fibaro unit which will be installed on the ground floor from anywhere in the house, could I buy a battery operated switch and use that? I just need it to switch on and off. Also, from reading some of the notes I read somewhere that in order to use automation - remotely control the lights, you have to leave the wall light switch in the ON position? would I have to do that with my Fibaro setup?

I had this conundrum 6 months ago before I embarked on a ground floor refurbishment.

Ended up with Smartthings and a collection of fibaro dimmers and relay switches. It works really well, if a little expensive for the fibaro units.

I went for fibaro zwave for the reliability, the feedback (so in the app you can see if the light is on or off - not available with LightwaveRF), and the fact that it’s completely natural to use - no need to leave light switches on.

For switches I’m using MK 3-way retractive rocker grid switches from screwFix. They look good in stainless, and you can make up your own configurations by snapping modules together. The rocker switches mean you can press up to brighten and down to Dim.

I’m now using the Sonoff relay switch modules where possible, as they are so much cheaper, at £7 a time. Need a bit more DIY to integrate them but that’s part of the fun.

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@Meirion_Williams thanks for that!

Do you have any further info/links to how I could use the Sonoff relay? this will work in the UK right?