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djlythium

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 11, 2014
1,170
1,620
So, here's the scenario: I have a wall switch-operated light. I'm getting an Eve camera with which I can automate that light turning on if the camera detects motion. The thing is: I need to be able to operate that light using the wall switch WHILE ALSO having it able to be turned on my the automation. If the switch is off, it totally cuts power to the bulb, which defeats the purpose.

Ideas? If I use a wall motion sensor HomeKit switch, does that allow the bulb to be operated in both fashions (i.e. it doesn't totally cut power to the bulb, but rather 'dims' it to zero output)?

Thank you!
 
your post is confusing.

it sounds like you have a "dumb switch" on the wall that you're using to control a light. But you also have a smart bulb? or are you planning on getting a smart bulb?

I think the answer is...
leave the wall switch on all the time, and get a homekit button and mount it by the wall switch to control the light.
Or use siri / home app

Most buttons have multiple triggers - the eve button has "press, double press, long press" which can be programmed to do anything you want, They'll control any homekit device no matter who makes them. So you could set it up so that a "press" turns on the light, and a "long press" turns it off. Using the eve app, it is possible to set it up so that a "press" will toggle the state of the light.


----
and now some more info.

NEVER run the power going to a smart bulb (or any electronics) through a dimmer, Even if the dimmer is at full, it still messes with the power wave, which can cause electronics to malfunction, it can also possibly cause permanent damage to the electronics. Also lower voltage going in, means it has to work harder for the same amount of output, which can lead to overheating. Smart bulbs might have some protection to handle this.
If you do have a dimmer switch on the wall that has smart bulbs on it, you should think about replacing it with a regular toggle switch.

"dimmed to zero output" is the exact same as "Off," the bulb would still be getting zero power.
Think of it as a garden hose, the valve on the side of the house is like the dimmer, and you've got a "smart device" on the end that has it's own control ( a spray nozzle with a squeeze trigger)
if you've turned the valve on the side of the house all the way down, there is zero water pressure in the hose, It doesn't matter how hard you squeeze the trigger, nothing is going to come out.


And another big thing to keep in mind, motion activated lights are nice in certain situations. But don't forget motion sensors that turn on lights, also turn them off
Even if you manually turn on a light, If the motion sensor is triggered, once it stops sensing motion the light will turn off.
 
If you have a motion sensor and a smart light switch you can just do an automation that says “when motion is detected turn on the switch”. I would scrap the smart bulb and use regular bulb with a smart light switch.
 
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