ᐅ Reliable Remote Control Solution Instead of Light Switch

Hello,

I have purchased a historic property in Italy and plan to replace or newly install the electrical system. Each room will be illuminated by a chandelier; a 16-arm chandelier equipped with 6W LED candle bulbs uses less than 100W.

Now, upstairs I have two options:

Routing the cables near the floor through a cable duct and then up next to a door
Drilling up into the attic close to the light fixture

Each room has two doors, and I think it would be practical to be able to switch the light on and off from both doors. Since cables are not very attractive and I am not allowed to chisel into the walls because of frescoes, I am considering whether there is a kind of remote control switch that could be used instead, or what the experiences with these are. Most of what I find comes from various Amazon sellers or smart home solutions. I would just like a simple switch that doesn’t require wiring, or at worst, a remote control.

Can you recommend anything?

Best regards

Konrad_I

There are several options, but in my opinion, it usually comes down to a smart home solution – or what is commonly understood as such: a dedicated unit or switching device that operates via a bridge or standalone switches, like Philips Hue, Shelly, etc., connected to the Wi-Fi network. So, one phase to the light fixture with an actuator or control device in between. Control can then be done via an app, follow automated settings, or be implemented using wireless switches. There isn’t a single definitive approach. In our existing building (partly due to existing wiring and limitations with wired circuits), we use a mix of switches and lamps based on the Zigbee standard, which can be controlled through many systems. At the moment, I have set up a Home Assistant, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Once you roughly understand how everything works, you can create a reliable remote control – as you requested – without extensive cabling.

Hello,

Oh no, that’s exactly what I wanted to avoid. I thought there were wireless switches that, for example, control just one receiver on a specific frequency, so you could attach the receiver to the chandelier and simply install a switch like that next to every door, which would operate that exact receiver. Usually, I also leave my phone in the bedroom and don’t carry it around the house all day.

Wi-Fi is not really an option; on the one hand, I don’t otherwise need it, and on the other hand, because of the thick walls, I would need several transmitters (which I would then have to wire again…).

Would a motion sensor on the ceiling, next to the chandelier, work? In the bedroom, I already have a switch next to the bed, and in the other rooms, I can’t think of a reason to run around in the dark.

Best regards

Konrad

Of course, I might have expressed myself unclearly. There are also simple solutions using wireless switches and receiver modules on the lamp or via motion detectors. But if you have to work on it anyway, why not opt for a more future-proof solution and integrate the whole system via Wi-Fi? The effort is basically the same but opens up a wide range of additional possibilities.

Konrad_I schrieb:

Wi-Fi is not really an option; on one hand, I don’t need it otherwise, and on the other hand, due to the thick walls, I would need several transmitters (which I would then have to wire again...).

Well, clearly, I may have expressed myself unclearly. There are also simple solutions using wireless switches and receiver modules at the light fixture or via motion detectors. But if you have to access it anyway, why not implement something more future-proof and at least potentially integrate and realize the whole setup with Wi-Fi capability? By the way, the Zigbee standard can also be operated without Wi-Fi. Primarily, these are initially just wireless switches communicating with other controls through a frequency, but they also identify themselves within the network. The effort basically remains the same but opens up many more possibilities for you later on. You would then need switches that operate without a hub. External links are strictly prohibited here, but if you research this standard, you will quickly find suitable hardware.

Hello,

oh, I see. I'm not very creative when it comes to options—if the light is on when I’m in the room, I’m already happy.

Also, as soon as it’s over 20 degrees Celsius (68°F), I keep the windows open all the time and don’t feel the need to shade, ventilate, or air-condition anything. That’s why a complex lighting system integrated there would always be alone.

Best regards

Konrad