How To: Control a Smart Bulb From a Smart Switch | SmartThings

How To: Control a Smart Bulb From a Smart Switch | SmartThings

Overview

There are a couple reasons why you'd want to control a smart bulb from a smart switch (seems like overkill, we know... but hear us out).
  1. Maintain User Experience for Non-Techies: Most people are used to using a light switch to turn on lights. The problem here is that if you turn off your light switch, the smart bulb loses power and cannot communicate to the hub to turn back on. 
  2. Set Scenes From a Switch: Rather than whip out your phone or shout across the room to Alexa when someone is sleeping, it's easier to double tap the light switch to turn on your smart bulbs.
The good news is we can solve Reason #1 with any of our switches and we can solve both Reason #1 and Reason #2 with any of our Red Series switches (Dimmer, On/Off, Fan/Light). Below is a chart that outlines the benefits of each switch.


Recommendation

We recommend our Red Series line for controlling smart bulbs. They have the ability to associate to Z-Wave bulbs and also be used as scene controllers to turn on/off non-Z-Wave bulbs (ie: Philips Hue, LIFX, etc). Please note though, that non-Z-Wave bulbs will have a slight lag as they cannot be associated directly to one another and the signal has to travel from the switch to the hub and then the hub to the bulb.

Options for Switch to Bulb Control

There are a few ways to accomplish controlling smart bulbs with smart switches. Each have their pro/cons -- let's explore both options.

Z-Wave Association

Z-Wave devices can directly associate to one another. In other words, your smart switch can directly control your smart bulb without the need for a hub (NOTE: a hub is usually required to setup the association, but once it's setup, you're good to go).
  1. Pros: Fast. Since there's no need for the signal from the switch to travel to the hub and then from the hub to the bulb (this also can be slowed down if these signals are processed in the cloud). Instead when you press the switch, the signal goes directly to the bulb, almost mimicking a traditional light switch and bulb (ie: minimal lag time). You can turn your smart bulb on or off and even dim in realtime.
  2. Cons: There aren't too many Z-Wave bulb options out there and they can be more expensive than their WiFi/Zigbee counterparts. In addition, not all hubs make it easy to directly associate Z-Wave devices together -- SmartThings is one of those hubs -- luckily, we've created a tool and instructions to help you. Lastly, you can only associate 5 bulbs to one switch.
Inovelli Switch Compatibility: All Inovelli switches have the ability to associate to Z-Wave bulbs. The On/Off switches only have the ability to turn the smart bulbs On/Off, whereas the Dimmer switches can turn the bulbs On/Off and Dim. 

Z-Wave Central Scene

Z-Wave has a special command class called the, "Central Scene Command Class" which essentially sends a command to the hub letting it know to activate a scene (ie: turn all lights off, lock doors, etc). Not all hubs support this, but the good news is SmartThings does. The great news is that you can put anything into a scene, including non-Z-Wave devices (such as Philips Hue, LIFX, etc).
  1. Pros: You can use this command to control anything, including non-Z-Wave devices. Tap the switch up or down to turn on or off your Philips Hue or LIFX bulb and double-tap it to change the color and/or dim levels. Lastly, association limits the number of bulbs that can be controlled (5), whereas the Central Scene Command allows more than five devices to be controlled.
  2. Cons: Unfortunately with SmartThings, the scene control processes in the cloud. This can cause delays or simply won't work if there's an issue with SmartThings servers. In addition, you cannot turn on/off or dim in realtime using this command.
Inovelli Switch Compatibility: All Inovelli Red Series switches have the Central Scene Command Class, whereas the Black Series does not.

Z-Wave Association + Central Scene

Using the Inovelli Red Series switches, you can have the best of both worlds. Use the Association method to control your bulbs in realtime (ie: On/Off/Dim) and then the Scene method to change the color or set a favorite level of your bulb(s).

Setup #1: Switch to Bulb via Z-Wave Association

Let's start with our recommended way of controlling your smart bulb, which is via Z-Wave Association. In this example, we'll use an Inovelli Red Series Dimmer Switch (note: any of our switches can be used here) and an Ilumin RGBW Smart Bulb. After we've set up the switch and bulb, the switch will be able to turn on/off and dim the Ilumin bulb in realtime.

Below is the abbreviated version (no screenshots) on how to set this up. The full article on setting up Z-Wave Association can be found here: How To - Use the Z-Wave Association Tool | SmartThings

Installing the Device Handlers

If you're not sure how to install a device handler, please see this example: Device Handler Installation
  1. Inovelli Switch Handler (choose the one that corresponds to the switch you have): Black Series On/Off, Black Series Dimmer, Red Series On/Off, Red Series Dimmer 
  2. Ilumin Bulb Handler (choose the one that corresponds to the bulb you have): RGBW Bulb, Tunable White Bulb

Installing the Association Tool SmartApps

If you're not sure how to install a device handler, please follow the Device Handler Installation instructions but instead of installing the code in the Device Handler section, install it in the, "My SmartApps" section:
  1. Association Tool Parent App
  2. Association Tool Child App

Setting up the Association

Once the Handlers and SmartApps are installed, it's time to setup your association. First, we'll start with Group 2, which is the On/Off Association.
  1. Open up your SmartThings App (new app, not the Classic one)
  2. Click on the menu (three lines on the left side of the screen) and click, "SmartApps"
  3. Click on the (+) sign to add a SmartApp
  4. Scroll down to the, "My SmartApps" section and select, "Z-Wave Association Tool"
  5. Press, "Create New Association"
  6. Under the, "Source Device" section, click on, "Which Capability?", select "Switch" and then click, "Done"
  7. Click on, "Switch" and select your Inovelli switch
  8. Next, under the, "Destination Device" section, click on, "Which Capability?", select "Switch" and then click, "Done"
  9. Click on, "Switch" and then select your Ilumin bulb
  10. Finally, under, "Options", click on, "Which Group Number", select 2 and click, "Done"
  11. Click on, "Next" and then, "Done"
Repeat the above steps, but the last two bullet points, choose Group 4, which is the Dimming Association
(NOTE: The Black & Red Series On/Off switches do not support Group 4, so you will not have Dimming Associations)

NOTE: Bulb is on Switch Load

Only use the below steps if your smart bulb is installed on the switch itself. In other words, if the load on your smart switch is the smart bulb, you'll need to disable the relay so that power isn't cut to the bulb. Here's how you do that.
  1. Open up your SmartThings App (new app, not the Classic one)
  2. Click on your Inovelli Switch
  3. Click on the three dots at the top right and select, "Settings"
  4. Scroll to the bottom and toggle on, "Disable Local Control" and, "Disable Remote Control"
  5. Then click back and you're all set
Now you should be able to turn on/off the smart bulb if you have an On/Off switch and also dim the smart bulb (by holding up/down on the paddle) if you have a Dimmer switch.

Setup #2: Switch to Bulb via Z-Wave Central Scene Control

In this example, you'll be able to turn on your smart bulb via the Z-Wave Central Scene Command. This includes turning on a Philips Hue, LIFX, or any smart bulb that can be connected to SmartThings. Here's how we'll set it up -- please note, there are so many different options you can use here -- this is just one of many.

Example: In this example, you have an Inovelli Red Series Dimmer and a Philips Hue bulb. The Philips Hue bulb is the load that's connected to the Inovelli Dimmer switch.

Installing the Device Handler

If you're not sure how to install a device handler, please see this example: Device Handler Installation
  1. Inovelli Switch Handler (choose the one that corresponds to the switch you have): Red Series On/Off, Red Series Dimmer 

Disabling Local/Remote Control

Smart bulbs require constant power to them in order for them to function correctly. In this example, we're assuming that the Philips Hue bulb is the load that the smart switch is controlling. If your bulb is not directly wired to the switch, you can skip this step.
  1. Open up your SmartThings App (new app, not the Classic one)
  2. Click on your Inovelli Red Series Switch
  3. Click on the three dots at the top right and select, "Settings"
  4. Scroll to the bottom and toggle on, "Disable Local Control" and, "Disable Remote Control"
  5. Then click back and you're all set

Setting up a Scene

Now it's time to setup a scene. Again, we're assuming we have an Inovelli Red Series Dimmer and a Philips Hue bulb connected to your SmartThings hub. Below is the abbreviated version (no screenshots) on how to set this up. The full article on setting up Z-Wave Scenes with SmartThings can be found here: Setting up Scenes | SmartThings (NOTE: This page will take you to specific instructions for your dimmer. If you have an On/Off or another scene controller, you can still follow those instructions as they're very similar).

First, let's start by setting up a scene where you tap up on the light switch 1x to turn on your Philips Hue bulb to it's last state:
  1. Open up your SmartThings App (new app, not the Classic one)
  2. Click on the menu and select, "SmartApps"
  3. Click the (+) sign and then scroll down to find, "Smart Lighting" and select it
  4. Click on, "New Lighting Automation"
  5. Next click, "Which devices do you want to control?" and select your Philips Hue bulb
  6. Under, "What do you want to do?" select, "Turn On"
  7. Click on, "Select Trigger", select, "Button" and then, "Done"
  8. Click on, "Which button?", choose your Inovelli Red Series switch and press, "Done"
  9. For, "Button number", please follow the Button Mapping Chart to select the proper button (in this case, we'll choose button one, which is a single tap to mimic turning a light switch on)
  10. Click on, "Button Action" and follow the Button Mapping Chart to select whether to press, "Pushed" or, "Held" (in this case, since we want to turn on the bulb when tapping up on the switch, we'll select, "Pushed")
  11. Where it says, "Toggle on & off", turn it to off
  12. Click, "Next" and then, "Done"
Now, we'll setup another scene where you tap down on the light switch 1x to turn off your Philips Hue bulb.
  1. Click on the menu and select, "SmartApps"
  2. Click the (+) sign and then scroll down to find, "Smart Lighting" and select it
  3. Click on, "New Lighting Automation"
  4. Next click, "Which devices do you want to control?" and select your Philips Hue bulb
  5. Under, "What do you want to do?" select, "Turn Off"
  6. Click on, "Select Trigger", select, "Button" and then, "Done"
  7. Click on, "Which button?", choose your Inovelli Red Series switch and press, "Done"
  8. For, "Button number", please follow the Button Mapping Chart to select the proper button (in this case, we'll choose button one, which is a single tap to mimic turning a light switch off)
  9. Click on, "Button Action" and follow the Button Mapping Chart to select whether to press, "Pushed" or, "Held" (in this case, since we want to turn off the bulb when tapping down on the switch, we'll select, "Held")
  10. Where it says, "Toggle on & off", turn it to off
  11. Click, "Next" and then, "Done"
That's it! You should now be able to control your Philips Hue bulb with your smart switch.

Setup #3: Switch to Bulb via Z-Wave Association + Central Scene

In the final example, we'll use both Z-Wave Association and the Central Scene Command. This will give you the speed of Z-Wave Association (turn on/off/dim in almost real-time) and also allow you to change colors on your bulb or easily set a favorite dim/color level. We'll use an Inovelli Red Series Dimmer and an Ilumin RGBW Bulb.

Setting up the Association

Please follow the instructions to setup Associations above in Setup #1: Switch to Bulb via Z-Wave Association.
  1. Please note the last section where it talks about whether or not your bulb is the load on your switch

Setting up a Scene

Next, we'll setup a scene so that when we double tap up the switch, it will turn on your bulb to Purple at 70%.
  1. Open up your SmartThings App (new app, not the Classic one)
  2. Click on the menu and select, "SmartApps"
  3. Click the (+) sign and then scroll down to find, "Smart Lighting" and select it
  4. Click on, "New Lighting Automation"
  5. Next click, "Which devices do you want to control?" and select your Ilumin RGBW bulb
  6. Under, "What do you want to do?" select, "Turn On & Set Colour" (C'mon ST, there's no need for a "u" in Color)
  7. Click on, "Colour", select, "Purple" and click, "Done"
  8. Click on, "Dimmer Level", select, "70%" and click, "Done"
  9. Click on, "Select Trigger", select, "Button" and then, "Done"
  10. Click on, "Which button?", choose your Inovelli Red Series switch and press, "Done"
  11. For, "Button number", please follow the Button Mapping Chart to select the proper button (in this case, we'll choose button two, which is a double tap up on the paddle)
  12. Click on, "Button Action" and follow the Button Mapping Chart to select whether to press, "Pushed" or, "Held" (in this case, since we want to turn on the bulb when double tapping up on the switch, we'll select, "Pushed")
  13. Where it says, "Toggle on & off", turn it to off
  14. Click, "Next" and then, "Done"
Now, to check that everything is setup properly, walk over to your Inovelli Red Series switch and perform the following tasks:
  1. Tap Up 1x = your Ilumin bulb should turn on
  2. Tap Down 1x = your Ilumin bulb should turn off
  3. Hold Up = your Ilumin bulb should dim up
  4. Hold Down = your Ilumin bulb should dim down
  5. Tap Up 2x = your Ilumin bulb should turn on to 70% and turn Purple