Hello everyone,
I am looking for ideas and suggestions regarding garden lighting in terms of electrical engineering and the possibilities that (smart) devices now offer.
Here is the situation:
According to the schematic shown in the image, we have a switch inside the house that controls a cable running outside to the garden. We already have some standard outdoor lighting in the form of several lamps around the house – however, this switch with the “flexible” cable is not yet in use and is specifically intended to provide additional lighting for the garden and/or the terrace. In this context, some empty conduits have been laid in the garden to bring power to various points (as shown in the image). Behind this cable, there are now (for example) 4 lighting groups. The type of lamps (LED strips, fairy lights, etc.) is still variable and should be considered only as examples.
In the simplest case, a cable is run through the empty conduit and the end devices are connected directly – consequently, the entire garden lights up at once when the switch is turned on.
Since it might be desired to switch only lighting group 3 at time A, and lighting group 2 (or corresponding combinations of 1, 2, 3, and 4) at time B, I am looking for ways to implement this accordingly. Control via smartphone and/or a separate remote control would be acceptable.
I would greatly appreciate your help! Of course, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
I am looking for ideas and suggestions regarding garden lighting in terms of electrical engineering and the possibilities that (smart) devices now offer.
Here is the situation:
According to the schematic shown in the image, we have a switch inside the house that controls a cable running outside to the garden. We already have some standard outdoor lighting in the form of several lamps around the house – however, this switch with the “flexible” cable is not yet in use and is specifically intended to provide additional lighting for the garden and/or the terrace. In this context, some empty conduits have been laid in the garden to bring power to various points (as shown in the image). Behind this cable, there are now (for example) 4 lighting groups. The type of lamps (LED strips, fairy lights, etc.) is still variable and should be considered only as examples.
In the simplest case, a cable is run through the empty conduit and the end devices are connected directly – consequently, the entire garden lights up at once when the switch is turned on.
Since it might be desired to switch only lighting group 3 at time A, and lighting group 2 (or corresponding combinations of 1, 2, 3, and 4) at time B, I am looking for ways to implement this accordingly. Control via smartphone and/or a separate remote control would be acceptable.
I would greatly appreciate your help! Of course, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
D
DerGärtner1 Apr 2022 22:03>>> Or directly 5x2.5. Then you can even control your three tree spotlights individually using the Wi-Fi technology in the distribution box. <<<
The tree spotlights, like the rest, are just examples. I’m more interested in the principle behind the technology.
>>> That’s one way to do it. Or you could install a bypass so the garden has permanent power. Then put a Shelly device under the switch. Depending on how you program it, you could make it a main switch that turns everything off, but still allows you to turn everything back on via your phone. <<<
I have installed several empty conduits in the garden to comfortably reach almost every corner. In total, there are 5 “independent” lines going outside, through which cables could be pulled, but only one of them has a switch (inside the house). I understand a “bypass” to mean a permanent power solution, for example simply a new line without a switch – I hope I got that right. Furthermore, I understand that the bypass combined with, for example, a Shelly actuator would be the more practical setup if controlling via smartphone is enough and the switch inside the house doesn’t have to be used regularly. Did I get that right?
The setup would then be simple: power cable through the empty conduit → Shelly actuator → light source
The Shelly actuator connects to Wi-Fi and could then be controlled via an app or similar.
>>> First define exactly what you want, what you are capable of, and what infrastructure you already have, such as Homematic, Alexa, etc. Even a Fritzbox offers various smart home features that are more than sufficient for this. Then people can help you. Very general questions are difficult. <<<
Accessing the light sources via app with on/off control for the respective light would be sufficient for me. Wi-Fi availability at the relevant spots can be arranged fairly easily, so this would probably be my preferred solution.
I have a Fritzbox – apart from that, I don’t have any significant smart home infrastructure.
Maybe someone could briefly confirm this as well:
Do the actuators work independently of the devices behind them? For example, could they switch an old string of lights from 1990, or are there any requirements for the devices connected behind the actuator?
Thanks already for the help so far and for everything that’s still to come. As you can probably tell from my questions, I’m still a beginner in this field, so I am all the more grateful for patient answers and any suggestions.
The tree spotlights, like the rest, are just examples. I’m more interested in the principle behind the technology.
>>> That’s one way to do it. Or you could install a bypass so the garden has permanent power. Then put a Shelly device under the switch. Depending on how you program it, you could make it a main switch that turns everything off, but still allows you to turn everything back on via your phone. <<<
I have installed several empty conduits in the garden to comfortably reach almost every corner. In total, there are 5 “independent” lines going outside, through which cables could be pulled, but only one of them has a switch (inside the house). I understand a “bypass” to mean a permanent power solution, for example simply a new line without a switch – I hope I got that right. Furthermore, I understand that the bypass combined with, for example, a Shelly actuator would be the more practical setup if controlling via smartphone is enough and the switch inside the house doesn’t have to be used regularly. Did I get that right?
The setup would then be simple: power cable through the empty conduit → Shelly actuator → light source
The Shelly actuator connects to Wi-Fi and could then be controlled via an app or similar.
>>> First define exactly what you want, what you are capable of, and what infrastructure you already have, such as Homematic, Alexa, etc. Even a Fritzbox offers various smart home features that are more than sufficient for this. Then people can help you. Very general questions are difficult. <<<
Accessing the light sources via app with on/off control for the respective light would be sufficient for me. Wi-Fi availability at the relevant spots can be arranged fairly easily, so this would probably be my preferred solution.
I have a Fritzbox – apart from that, I don’t have any significant smart home infrastructure.
Maybe someone could briefly confirm this as well:
Do the actuators work independently of the devices behind them? For example, could they switch an old string of lights from 1990, or are there any requirements for the devices connected behind the actuator?
Thanks already for the help so far and for everything that’s still to come. As you can probably tell from my questions, I’m still a beginner in this field, so I am all the more grateful for patient answers and any suggestions.
Please do not confuse smart with remote controllable again. Neither a Fritzbox nor control via smartphone has anything to do with smart.
Since you have empty conduits, install an outdoor access point right away. This will provide better Wi-Fi coverage.
Control the lamps using actuators. There are many different options available.
Since you have empty conduits, install an outdoor access point right away. This will provide better Wi-Fi coverage.
Control the lamps using actuators. There are many different options available.
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