How To: Set a Circadian Rhythm using Smart Bulbs | SmartThings

How To: Set a Circadian Rhythm using Smart Bulbs | SmartThings

Summary (TLDR)

Using smart bulbs you can set a circadian rhythm using your SmartThings Hub. Circadian Lighting is important as it follows the human circadian rhythm which is a 24hr internal clock. Long story short, there's a section in your brain that controls your rhythm by receiving signals from the eyes that report when it's daytime and nighttime. From there your brain will release various amounts of melatonin that correlates with sleepiness or alertness. This article will help you setup a lighting scenario in SmartThings with your smart bulbs that simulates the brightness of the sun in different Kelvin values. Circadian Lighting is helpful in areas where there is minimal sunny days (ie: Kalamazoo, MI...) and has shown in laboratory studies that light across the entire visible spectrum can enhance alertness, both day and night*. Here's a photo illustration of what Circadian Lighting should be:



NOTE: This tutorial should work with any smart bulb that has color changing abilities (cool/warm or full RGBW). We've tested it to work on the following Inovelli products:
  1. RGBW A19 Smart Bulb - LZW42
  2. CCT A19 Smart Bulb - LZW41
  3. RGBW Light Strip - LZW45

Installing the SmartApps

There are a couple of pre-requisites required prior to setting this up. Since this is not a built in SmartThings app, you will have to create one (this one has two parts). The good news is that it's already done for you (credit: claytonjn. juano2310, and Kristopher who developed this: SmartThings Community Link) and all you'll need to do is install it.
  1. Open up IDE and login using your SmartThings credentials: https://account.smartthings.com/
  2. Click on, "My SmartApps" and then, "+ New SmartApp"
  3. Next, click on, "From Code"
  4. Now we'll install the first SmartApp, in which the raw code can be found here: Circadian Daylight (copy all this code)
  5. Go back to IDE and in the, "From Code" part, paste the code from GitHub (located in the link above) and click, "Create" and then, "Save" (Do not publish)
  6. You should now see it show up in your, "My SmartApps" section:
  7. Click on, "+ New SmartApp" again as we'll install the next SmartApp
  8. Next, click on, "From Code"
  9. Now we'll install the second SmartApp, in which the raw code can be found here: Circadian Daylight Coordinator (copy all this code)
  10. Go back to IDE and in the, "From Code" part, paste the code from GitHub (located in the link above) and click, "Create" and then, "Save"
  11. Then click, "Publish" and, "For Me"
  12. You should now see it show up in your, "My SmartApps" section under the Circadian Daylight SmartApp:

Now let's setup the Circadian Lighting from within SmartThings.

Setting Up Circadian Rhythm Lighting in the SmartThings App

Again, please make sure you have the two SmartApps installed correctly as referenced in the above section.
  1. Start by opening up the SmartThings App and click on the three lines at the top left of the screen
  2. Select, "SmartApps"
  3. Press the, (+) sign and scroll down where it says, "Custom" and select, "Circadian Daylight Coordinator" (Do not use, "Circadian Daylight" -- this one is just a part of the Coordinator App)
  4. Click on, "New Circadian Daylight Setup"
  5. Click, "Next"
  6. Enter in the Minimum & Maximum Color Temperature in Kelvins (we suggest 2700 for the minimum and 6000 for the maximum) and click, "Next"
  7. Enter your Zip Code or specific Sunrise/Sunset times at the bottom and click, "Next"
  8. If you'd like to receive notifications on if the code updates in GitHub, select the toggle, "Update Notifications" (we left it off) and click, "Done"
  9. You will be taken back to the, "SmartApps" page -- click on, "Circadian Daylight Coordinator" again
  10. Click on, "New Circadian Daylight Setup"
  11. Select, "Color Temperature Bulbs" and choose your smart bulb(s) -- click, "Done" and then, "Next"
  12. Toggle, "Dynamic Brightness" on and leave the Minimum and Maximum Brightness where it is (or change to your choosing) and click, "Next"
  13. Feel free to adjust your, "Sleep Settings" (we left it as is) -- click, "Next"
  14. If you'd like to set your Circadian Daylight to only work during certain modes (ie: maybe you don't want it to trigger in, "Away Mode" as you're not home) please choose the mode you'd like your bulb to work in (otherwise leave it as is) and if you want to disable Circadian Daylight if a certain switch is on, feel free to select that switch (this acts as more of an override) -- click, "Next"
  15. Name your Project and select, "Done"
NOTE: If you're bulb(s) are not on, turn them on and they should automatically turn to the correct Kelvin.

* Source: Figueiro M, Steverson B, Heerwagen J, et al. Light, entrainment and alertness: A case study in offices. Lighting Research & Technology. November 2019. doi:10.1177/1477153519885157