ᐅ Switches or push buttons in new construction with Shelly – planning fully smart or sticking to traditional?
Created on: 22 Apr 2026 08:04
F
FloSCFan
Hello everyone,
We are currently in the process of building a new house and are working on the electrical planning with the electrician. Now we need to decide where to install traditional switches and where to use push buttons.
The plan is to equip some lighting circuits with Shelly modules before moving in. In those cases, push buttons would be easy to use since the Shelly acts as a relay or control unit.
However, I have two basic questions:
1. Push button or traditional switch for smart lighting circuits?
It is often recommended to use push buttons for smart home solutions (because of scenes, multiple clicks, long presses, etc.).
My concern is that if the Shelly module fails, the push button might stop working entirely or only work with limitations. This would require immediate attention. A traditional switch might still offer some basic functionality depending on its setup.
2. Should everything be switched to push buttons and smart control?
Does it make sense to equip all lighting circuits with Shelly modules and install push buttons everywhere to keep the system uniform?
Or is this unnecessary, more expensive, and potentially more error-prone than needed, with smart controls better reserved only for areas where they provide real added value?
I would be interested in your experiences:
* What would you do in a new build today?
* Push buttons or switches for smart circuits?
* Standardize everything or make only selected areas smart?
* How important is system reliability and failure safety in everyday life?
Thank you very much for your insights.
We are currently in the process of building a new house and are working on the electrical planning with the electrician. Now we need to decide where to install traditional switches and where to use push buttons.
The plan is to equip some lighting circuits with Shelly modules before moving in. In those cases, push buttons would be easy to use since the Shelly acts as a relay or control unit.
However, I have two basic questions:
1. Push button or traditional switch for smart lighting circuits?
It is often recommended to use push buttons for smart home solutions (because of scenes, multiple clicks, long presses, etc.).
My concern is that if the Shelly module fails, the push button might stop working entirely or only work with limitations. This would require immediate attention. A traditional switch might still offer some basic functionality depending on its setup.
2. Should everything be switched to push buttons and smart control?
Does it make sense to equip all lighting circuits with Shelly modules and install push buttons everywhere to keep the system uniform?
Or is this unnecessary, more expensive, and potentially more error-prone than needed, with smart controls better reserved only for areas where they provide real added value?
I would be interested in your experiences:
* What would you do in a new build today?
* Push buttons or switches for smart circuits?
* Standardize everything or make only selected areas smart?
* How important is system reliability and failure safety in everyday life?
Thank you very much for your insights.
FloSCFan schrieb:
Should all lighting circuits be equipped with push buttons to ensure a consistent tactile feel throughout the house?Push buttons have a spring mechanism, switches do not – this tactile difference is more a feature than a flaw. I would consider “consistency” more in terms of appearance (however, I don’t know any manufacturer that doesn’t offer the same design line for switches and push buttons).FloSCFan schrieb:
Since the question came up: what does “smart home” mean to me? Or rather, what am I aiming for? I’m not planning a fully automated house, but targeted comfort functions. Specifically, scenes in the living area, a wall display at a second central location in the living space, simple automations (e.g., exterior lighting), and app control as a supplement (e.g., turning off lights from bed). Voice control is optional but not the main goal. Occupancy sensors for lighting control are only in selected rooms.So you are the sole user, or do the other users have a similar mindset?FloSCFan schrieb:
I’m less interested in a fully networked system throughout the house and more in selected areas with real added value.If you’re tolerant of standalone solutions, then you’re probably a customer for “systems” and “apps (without expectations of constant synchronization)”; so also electronics retailers plus some input from forum communities, and you probably don’t mind visiting a different forum for each application. As long as it works nicely…https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
M
MachsSelbst26 Apr 2026 20:30Don’t listen to 11ant. I already asked him for his recommendation on another occasion, and he just mumbled something about open-source PLCs and wasn’t really sure either. 😉
What you’re planning is fine for your expectations. Aside from the fact that even back when EIB, which later became EIB/KNX, was introduced, building electronics technicians had to work with it during my training... that was a solid 23 years ago, so much for the half-life of such systems...
Oh, and by the way, I doubt Shelly will disappear from the market tomorrow. And even if it does, you’d either connect it to a new system or just take apart your 15 switches and install new ones.
I would definitely aim for consistency when it comes to push buttons/switches, although people get used to anything pretty quickly. But getting used to having a push button in the bathroom and a switch in the hallway? People actually don’t adapt that easily. But nordanney already gave you the solution—install rocker switches.
Alternatively, you can even operate a Shelly with a switch, thanks to the invention of positive and negative edge detection. Shellys can evaluate the switching state or the state change... what a crazy time we live in...
And who cares if the buyer of your property understands your system in 20 years? To quote a YouTuber... do you avoid touching your wives because you’re thinking of your successor? 😀
What you’re planning is fine for your expectations. Aside from the fact that even back when EIB, which later became EIB/KNX, was introduced, building electronics technicians had to work with it during my training... that was a solid 23 years ago, so much for the half-life of such systems...
Oh, and by the way, I doubt Shelly will disappear from the market tomorrow. And even if it does, you’d either connect it to a new system or just take apart your 15 switches and install new ones.
I would definitely aim for consistency when it comes to push buttons/switches, although people get used to anything pretty quickly. But getting used to having a push button in the bathroom and a switch in the hallway? People actually don’t adapt that easily. But nordanney already gave you the solution—install rocker switches.
Alternatively, you can even operate a Shelly with a switch, thanks to the invention of positive and negative edge detection. Shellys can evaluate the switching state or the state change... what a crazy time we live in...
And who cares if the buyer of your property understands your system in 20 years? To quote a YouTuber... do you avoid touching your wives because you’re thinking of your successor? 😀
Shelly can now even handle KNX... That brings everything full circle 🙂
For my older Busch-Jäger switches in the old house, I easily managed to get push-button modules instead of switch inserts for 2-3 Shelly-equipped rooms, since the rocker on top doesn’t make a difference anyway. However, integrating Shellys into existing two-way switch circuits can be tricky.
For my older Busch-Jäger switches in the old house, I easily managed to get push-button modules instead of switch inserts for 2-3 Shelly-equipped rooms, since the rocker on top doesn’t make a difference anyway. However, integrating Shellys into existing two-way switch circuits can be tricky.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
Don't listen to 11ant, I already asked him for his recommendation on another occasion, and he mumbled something about open-source PLCs and didn’t really know how to proceed 😉 I reject the disrespectful accusation that I “mumbled.” The question “Which one exactly?” regarding open source is a joke. With open source, it doesn’t really matter which Linux or other distribution you choose. I won’t behave like a fanboy and bash the team jersey of a different color, as that doesn’t happen in open-source culture. And a PLC stands or falls with the “P,” meaning the programming skills of the solution developer. If those skills are weak, then you don’t need an open API and might as well stick with a “system” world. That’s why I asked about the questioner’s expectations and level of expertise. If someone is satisfied with home automation limited to features like a remote control for raising and lowering blinds and changing the color tone of ambient lighting, then they don’t have to engage intellectually at all and can just add ready-made kits to their online shopping cart. When I give advice in this area, it’s “open-ended” upward, so if one’s programming ambitions and skills grow, there’s no need to rewire or crimp new plugs—hence the star network topology. The world of brand names is for fashion maniacs—that will never be me. But I don’t mumble; I never failed Goethe, and I went to school well before Pisa (when the dative case was still alive and well)!
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
N
nordanney27 Apr 2026 15:56FloSCFan schrieb:
I just have the AS500 series from Jung Those are only the frames, cover plates, and accessories.
You need the matching inserts for them.
Something like this, for example (Jung also offers versions like double switches, etc.)