Zigbee, ZWave repeater

[JDRoberts]

@GerryM

I know that if you plug a zwave or zigbee device into an electric outlet it acts as a repeater. But what if the switch on the wall is off? By that I mean if you put a zigbee light bulb in the socket and flip the switch it will be on and light will be shining. But if you shut the switch on the wall will it still act as a repeater?

It depends on the type of switch. Most smart bulbs do not recommend using them with a switch that cuts all power to the bulb. This can shorten the bulb life significantly. These bulbs are intended to be kept always on power even when they are “off”.

As long as a bulb is drawing power, even if it looks like it is off, it will still act as a repeater if it is capable of doing so. If you cut the power completely, it cannot repeat.

For discussion of the best switches to use with smart bulbs, see the following:

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?