Home Automation

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Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

Warning: Working with electricity can result in injury, property damage, or even death if it is not done properly. Please keep this in mind while assisting others. If you are not sure about what you are doing, hire a licensed professional.

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Need help understanding how to determine what switch to get (alien.top)

submitted 1 year ago by etay080@alien.top to c/homeautomation@selfhosted.forum

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Hi everyone
I'm trying to get into home automation and I have the general idea that Wifi shouldn't be used, Zwave should be used for important devices and that Zigbee should be used for the rest
However, I do not understand what type of switches I should be looking for.
I have this 3 gang electrical box with 2 current dumb modules (are they named modules?) installed, a light switch and a light switch + dimmer. I have checked and I have neutral in that box.

Do I need to look for a 2 gang dimmer switch and just not use the dimming functionality for the bulb which is not capable of dimming? Should I get 2 seperate 1 gang modules? One for light & one for dimming? And if so, can the same neutral be used for both modules?

Here are two pictures of my current switch
https://i.imgur.com/nKrxJgG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dl4VLjU.jpg
Sorry for the extremely noob and possibly stupid questions but I'm just really confused and would rather confirm than spend money on the wrong products

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[–] Engineers-rock@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

No such thing as dumb question right? Each of your “modules” is what the world usually calls a switch or dimmer, depending on whether it goes on/off or dims between on and off. Switches / dimmers are sold individually or in sets. You’ll probably also need a faceplate (the plastic thing that goes over to hide the wires etc. It is up to you to decide what you want to put in the box; two switches, two dimmers or one of each. Whichever route you decide to go, please turn off the power at your breaker/fuse box before you replace the switches.