I am currently planning to replace my current conventional switches to Xiaomi Aqara smart switch, but I have a doubt here, the image below is the conventional switch setup.

https://ibb.co/jaZOi0

A 1 gang switch with 3 wires, I suppose 1 is neutral?

all live.

Why live got 3 wires? I couldn’t understand.. lol need some help here..

live in
live out

one of the extra live is probably at live in to loop to another switch or light somewhere else.

anyway.......all live.

Okay I got it. Thank you. Normally switches does not have neutral?

20a switch have neutral( those usually for operating aircon and water heater). naturally those rated above 20a switch have neutral also.

Light switch(normally rated at 6a) do not have neutral

Sockets have neutral obviously.

Yeah thanks for the clarification. Really appreciate the advice.

How's your project going? I too am replacing most of my wall switches with Aqara switches (+ Aqara Hub & Homekit). Fun project, doing a switch or 2 a day and playing around with all the different sensors.

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This post has been edited by pmaxv: Dec 31 2019, 02:18 AM

Dang!. Too late, already bought and replaced a few switches. How long did yours last? Are they all Aqara brand? Unreliable as in the burn easily as you've said or unreliable for something else?

.

This post has been edited by idoblu: Feb 27 2021, 06:10 AM

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This post has been edited by pmaxv: Dec 31 2019, 02:18 AM

Good info. Will keep an eye out for that. So far mine are ok. Have replaced 5 light/ceiling fan switches. A few more to go.

so far my aqara switches are working fine without problem.

and yes, need the extra neutral wire.

How long have they been in use?

Currently I have a total of 2 x single gangs and 4 x double gangs with a few more left to install. Mine are all no-neutrals. I wonder which fares better in the long run.

i have been using for 3 months, so far no problem.
Its awesome to set the timer and just leave it auto on/off.

Where did u guys buy this aqara and the gateway? Costly?

online stores like lazada and shopee. i prefer shopee from local sellers
gateway and switches are about RM100 each
sensors are like 40-50 each
very affordable stuff

I bought the Sonoff brand , requires neutral. Cant install them. Replaced with the wifi adapter instead.

Which brand switch does not require Neutral?

There are a few. I know of and use Aqara (Xiaomi). They have both neutral and non-neutral ones in 1 or 2-gang. Requires the Aqara or Mijia Hub.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Feb 23 2019, 10:49 AM

Oh I see need the hub. Thanks. I do have a aqara cam to go along lol.

Which Aqara cam? The only one I know of, the Aqara Smart IP Camera is also a Mijia hub.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Feb 23 2019, 10:48 AM

Xiaomi Aqara bought in shopee around 125rm

lazada

That should be the one. You already have the necessary hub for the wall switches.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Feb 23 2019, 11:03 AM

Well since we are on smart switches. I wish someone make a good video for the sonoff. I tried to do one when installing but found out I need the neutral. Now these are just sitting in the cupboard.




This post has been edited by dudester: Feb 23 2019, 11:16 AM

Any chance of pulling a neutral to the switch? I looked at the Sonoffs too. They are definitely the most affordable. In the end, settled for the Aqara Hub and it’s devices. I’m sure you can sell them here. Quite a few use Sonoffs.

If you’re buying Aqara switches. Consider getting the 2-gang even in places where you only need 1-gang. You can set the 2nd unused gang to control another device, be it a lamp, plug or another wall switch.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Feb 23 2019, 12:59 PM

I asked an electrician whether its possible to pull a neutral. He pulled it from my doorbell...

Guys. Anyone experienced Aqara smart switch (2 gang no neutral type) failure after 1 year or within 2 years period? My third one just failed within 2 years time. I'm wondering is it because of Aqara product quality or because of not using neutral type... Appreciate of anyone can advise or share your experience. Thanks..

https://www.facebook.com/wpmhome/

Check this smart home company that supply their own home brand in Malaysia. Reliable and they do provide videos tutorial on setup too.

What are the implications (if any?) of using a smart switch for lights that does not have a neutral? Any danger?

i wanted to change my current 1 gang switch for lights to aqara switch. the label stated L1 L2 & L3. Do i need to get with or without neutral switch? If without neutral is has only 2 connector and how do i connect the 3 wires from my current switch?

The three wires are all live if its a 1 way switch and its in 2x L1 and 1x L2.
If this is a staircase switch (2-way) you will have 1x L1 1x L2 and 1x L3

How it works.. for a 1-way switch, think of it as letter T and we assume that one HOT live goes to ten lights.

the horizontal -------- is common HOT live feed from DB box ("common tree branch") to ALL TEN lights' switches - i.e. this common HOT is powering up more than one light and this is NOT subject to switch action (common HOT wire that runs before the switch to ALL the ten switches as HOT INPUT)
the vertical I is the ("one leaf only") circuit to that ONE light alone and is controlled by the switch to on/off that ONE light only.

So by assuming your EXISTING three wires are stuffed in a 2x L1 and 1x L2, the one with two wires is the horizontal section (common HOT)
the one with one wire is the individual ONE light circuit.
This can be verified by a test pen with the ONE light switch off.

This post has been edited by ceo684: Dec 9 2020, 09:35 PM

No issue but this switch (single pole) cannot be used for special purpose things like emergency exit/KELUAR sign (recommend to use double pole MCB so wont back flow current into the TNB grid as it has a transformer, some good design got diode to prevent this but some may backflow), or wet floor appliances (water heater need double pole), or for backup power transfer switch (for generator backup MUST use proper transfer switch else you may kill TNB people).

This post has been edited by ceo684: Dec 9 2020, 09:44 PM

Malaysian homes typically doesn't use neutral for light switches so you get a no-neutral Aqara switch.

Assuming the above is true and that this is a 1-way switch and that your current switch has 3 wires. 1 will be live. 1 will be load. The 3rd could either be load or a live passthru to another switch. My guess is that the 3rd wire is also load since you said plural lights instead of singular light.

Take a pic of your switch before removing the wires. You can test for live wires with a tester. Be careful as fingers works just as well.

Oh, and don't trust the colours.

This post has been edited by soonwai: Dec 9 2020, 09:48 PM

Take pic and label the wires one by one according to where they came from (follow OLD switch labelling). If all else fail at least can revert rather than trying to guess what goes where in 3x3 = 9 possible combinations

Just fount out that it was a 2 way lighting. anyone tried installing 2 way lightning on the aqara smart switch??

Another thing is i was trying to install a 2 gang smart switch. the old switch has 2 COM and 2 L1. So do I put the 2 COM wire together into the smart switch L socket?

I installed as 2 way switch before

This post has been edited by idoblu: Dec 14 2020, 08:27 AM

Anyone install this before?? Since aqara do not have 2 way switch.

This is no need for a 2 way switch connection for Aqara switches.
All Aqara switches can already work multiple ways.
This is for like staircase lights right where 2 switches control one light?

This post has been edited by idoblu: Dec 14 2020, 07:46 AM

Yes is for 2 switches control 1 lights like one switch at bottom of the staircase another one at upstairs.


Just wanted to know how to install it as my current 1 gang 2 way switch has L, L1 and L2 while Aqara 1 gang only has L & L1

This post has been edited by davidyang85: Dec 14 2020, 02:06 PM

follow this wiring diagram. you only use wired switch on one side. you can choose any side (upstairs or downstairs doesnt matter)
the other side just use aqara wireless switch and program it to control the stair case lights

Great. So i just leave the L2 and tape it.

Thanks for the diagram

Hi do you mean one side just use normal 2 way switch and the other side use aqara wireless switch? Both is connected to the wire? Any video of the steps? No need neutral right?

Have you try it out? Can share any video or picture?

Yes. what i've done is for the 2 way switch i just tape the L2 wiring. So only L & L1 to Aqara switch.

The other end (2nd switch) i just plug as normal and set automation for the 2 way.

When i turn on 2nd switch the 1st switch will off.

Thank you for the details. For the 2 way switch - Both switch also you use Aqara D1 Switch without neutral line?

Finally my stuff sampai today

Did Zigbee Hub and replace all switch to Zigbee


And now all working

yes. im using both D1 without neutral

No. One side use Aqara D1 connected via wires as normal. The other side you can use D1 wireless switch which do not require any wiring.
Look at the diagram I posted. Read the parts in blue. The instructions are very simple and all there.

Hi sifus, wanted to pick your brains on the following:

Is WIFi smart switches (those that do not require a gateway or a hub) not as good compared to the typical smart switches that requires one (eg. Aqara wall switches)

saw products like these online which is much cheaper and does not require neutral wire on those wall (but need to install a capacitor which they provide) - wouldn't this be better/less complicated?

https://shopee.com.my/SMATRUL-WiFi-Smart-Wa...8373.4838849870

The reason why Aqara switch need hub is because it does not use wifi to communicate with the cloud server. It use zigbee to communicate with the hub and the hub will connect to your router then to the cloud server. The advantage of using zigbee will be reducing router load if you hv a lot of device (eg my hse i hv over 50 wifi switches and sensor). Furthermore zigbee use less power therefore good for battery power device like pir, door sensor etc. Powered zigbee device also act as repeater to create mesh newtwork. Wifi switch is simple to use as it does not need hub. Function wise it is the same as zigbee type. Pricing wise Aqara is expensive because it is propietary or closed system while the wifi switch you showed is open system (many suppliers can sell). Other open system like ewelink also is cheap.

Few problem with Wifi switches

1. It need Neutral line in the wall switch, unless your wireman pull neutral line or the switch sit beside AC or Heater outlet then is fine. the other problem is if you dont those with N line, you need a Capacitor to bypass back to the switch from the light or fan, so each switch need a Cap...I dont like cap cause it add 1 more point of failure also LED bulb may flicker

2. Put more load on Wifi router unless you get those Xiaomi router with special wifi for smart devices...

the only advantage is slightly cheaper but thats about it.... just buy a zigbee hub not expensive like RM50 only

I feel like backing off after watching this.
Seems like a lot problem with smart switches, especially in malaysia where we don't have neutral wires

and i don't want to change battery every now and then like what's in the video

Lifesmart is a failure/overpriced (Heard this from a converted Lifemart installer, he is doing Geeklink now) and the video is 2019. Non neutral switch without the need for capacitors already in V2 version.

This post has been edited by adamw: Jun 15 2021, 01:32 PM

wow really? yea hoping it is better now also.
That's right, I am going to build my own smart home, studying things now.

Any recommendation on good smart switch?

currently eyeing on "Aqara Wall Switch D1".
but I heard some people complaining there are still light flickering issue once in awhile, and the switch can break down quite easily.

No point asking me, I am a Tuya supporter.

I see.. thank you.. let me explore into Tuya also

I came across wifi smart circuit breakers. I suppose these can substitute as “smart” switches too? Wonder what are pros and cons of these vs switches.

what switch is this ?

https://shopee.com.my/Wifi-Smart-Switch-Com...5979.6504568012

Use these lor. I think my house got neutral but I think troublesome to change. Instead I get these and install it at the light (florescent light). Good is simple, since got both L and N at light. Bad is only can control from phone.

Hi I am also planning to replace 2 way switch with Aqara D1 single fire. I am planning to use same switch for both end, but not sure it will work.

Understand from your point, at one end you did is to put L to Aqara L and L1 to Aqara L1 respectively. And leave L2 alone with tapped.

I am still unsure about another end, did you also put L to L and L1 to L1 and leave L2 alone?

Thanks

I recently changed one of my 2 way switch to Aqara switch, basically you need to test on both sides which one allows the switch you want to change to turn on, then on the side you are not changing you need to just join the two wires together and the third cable left alone tape it or use a wire cap.

hi all, perhaps my question is kinda weird.
my existing home switches are in black matte color, but now need to install xiaomi smart home switches.
but problem is , it is white color...it doesn't look nice if some switches are black some are white...

any idea if can colored the smart white switches to black??