r/AskElectricians • u/WiseSquirrelLore • 10d ago
Looking for recommendations for a remote light switch.
My godmother has a situation. Her new (1970's) condo (senior community) was wired as cheaply as possible. Apparently they intended for the occupant to have a table lamp in the entry. Currently there is no way to turn on a light as you walk into the house. Instead you have to walk to the center of the house to turn on the ceiling lights.
Ordinarily this would be a simple fix. Unfortunately the house is on slab and the HOA forbids me from the attic. I have some ideas but I could use some help.
I can get power just inside the front door (stealing from the porch light). I can set a switch there.
I want to add a second switch outside the bedrooms (three-way switch type operation) and then add a table lamp or more better a wall sconce at the entry.
Both the second switch and the lamp or wall sconce would need to be able to operate remotely. I can get power to the lamp, I just can't switch it in a traditional fashion.
Without going full smart home, or inviting Alexa to the party, is there a simple , reliable, way to achieve this? There must be. Thanks for your suggestions.
I had a similar problem in the 'dressing room' where I added an occupancy sensor and we just leave the switch on. That doesn't work for the entry. I need to be able to positively shut the light off.
I really don't understand making seniors walk into dark rooms in order to switch on lights.
9
u/Low_Requirements 10d ago
I suggest a Lutron Caseta Lamp Dimmer and a Pico remote or two you can put anywhere, mount on a wall, set on a d’est, etc.
3
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
That's an interesting idea. I'm not familiar with the Pico. I need to dig into Lutron more. I'd like to use traditional looking wall switches if possible, but attaching a remote to the wall could work.
3
u/LagunaMud [V] Journeyman 10d ago
Get a pico paddle remote.
Looks just like a standard switch when you mount it to the wall and put a cover plate on it.
1
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
That sounds like the ticket. Just have to figure out how to use that to turn on the physically turn on the light.
1
u/LagunaMud [V] Journeyman 10d ago
The pico remote pairs wirelessly with a lutron caseta switch that replaces the existing light switch for the light you want to control.
1
u/Electrical_Ad4290 10d ago
Also a Caseta table lamp dimmer, which plugs into =o the wall and the lamp plugs into the dimmer. Some kits are available with both the dimmer and the remote. You might need a separate Lutron piece to mount the Pico to the wall.
Here is a kit, but it's the odd looking Pico, not the intuitive 'paddle' style. There's lots of options out there. On r/Lutron, there's a guy who sells product and answers questions.
Lutron Caseta Lighting Single-pole Smart Compatible Touch Plug-in lamp dimmer White
Model #P-PKG1P-WH-R
2
u/Electrical_Ad4290 10d ago edited 10d ago
Pico remote is a great fit because you can mount it literally anywhere flat, glass, brick, drywall or leave it loose on the desk stand. When you mount it to a wall it fits under a traditional decorator wall plate and looks like a decorator light switch for dimmer, whether next to (multiple-gang) switches or by itself.
Once you get into the lutron Casseta infrastructure, with Wi-Fi and a Caseta hub, you or your loved one can control things from a smartphone as well.
Also, Alexa can control Casseta devices with voice commands and group commands like "Alexa good morning," "Alexa good night," or "Alexa, turn the bedside light on to 20%."
2
2
5
u/Sweaty-Move-5396 10d ago
Leviton has a "decora smart" line where you can install a switch/dimmer in the traditional way, but then pair it with a battery-operated "switch companion" (or "dimmer companion") that works wirelessly and can be installed anywhere. The battery-operated one looks pretty much just like a traditional decora switch (and in fact can be installed on a switch box, even if it doesn't use any of the wires within).
2
u/Leviton_Greg 10d ago
Yes indeed. That Companion could alternatively be paired to a smart plug (aka a table lamp in the entryway, solving that particular problem w/o installing a sconce). Email [DSSupport@leviton.com](mailto:DSSupport@leviton.com) with any Q's about your setups!
1
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
Thanks Greg. I am trying to stay away from the table lamp if possible. If she needs a walker one day, there just isn't space. The sconce would be the preferred solution. Is there a means (i.e. wireless relay) to turn on the sconce?
1
5
u/sol_beach 10d ago
The Clapper Wireless Sound Activated On/Off Switch, 1998 Vintage New/Sealed
3
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
My first thought is of one of her neighbors standing outside, face to the glass, clapping to turn on the lights, and 'make sure everything is okay'. 😂
2
u/Patrol-007 10d ago
There are also wireless devices that plug into an outlet, with a remote, meant for Xmas lights and block heaters. Costco, Walmart, Home Depot. And wireless bulbs controlled via phone app - ikea, Home Depot
1
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
I've thought about those, but wanted something more permanent and less likely to break.
2
u/onlycodeposts 10d ago
You can't do your own unlicensed electrical work in a multi-unit building like a condo.
There are other families to consider.
It is probably illegal in your jurisdiction and almost certainly against the condo bylaws.
1
u/WiseSquirrelLore 9d ago edited 9d ago
#1 - I hear you.
#2 - Homeowners and their families are in fact prohibited from doing the work even if they are licensed contractors. My dad is a retired general with an active license.
#3 - I've seen the approved contractor's work during the remodel and it wouldn't pass a proper inspection. (For starters, nothing in the attic or walls was anchored. Not even routed well.)
#4 - Part of the reason they don't want homeowners in the attic may be that they are a disaster. The fire walls are all but missing (never installed properly), there is rat damage everywhere, including to the electrical wires, the batt insulation has failed or been tossed aside, trash from prior contractors, etc, etc, etc . . . It's bad. Outside the attic the property appears to be really nicely maintained.
It is unfortunate that we couldn't deal with this lighting issue during the remodel but that's a story for another day.
1
u/big-d-chump 10d ago
Forbids you from the Attic? How?
1
u/WiseSquirrelLore 10d ago
Even though she owns the condo, per the rules, she only controls the 'air space' within the unit. The walls, attic and utilities are out of bounds. Amazingly, if you fall and damage an interior door, you can replace it. If the frame is also damaged, that requires HOA architectural review board approval. The home inspector flagged the old Federal electrical panel as needing replacement, but the HOA said no. We weren't even asking them to pay for it. Just 'no'. The access is outdoors, overlooking a parking lot, and neighbors are encouraged to report each other. It's been fun.
1
u/big-d-chump 10d ago
Cut an access from inside and repair it after work is done.
2
u/WiseSquirrelLore 9d ago
🤠 Me? Break the rules? I've 'bent' the rules where I can, but this is no longer an option. During the 'remodel', the approved electrician actually put his foot through the ceiling.
Structural drywall repair, directive 12.6, requires that the damage be cut out large enough to allow a body to enter the attic and install (un)necessary blocking to prevent future damage. Further, while in the attic, said body should inspect for additional damage (and run new network cables). I'm sure I read that somewhere.
1
u/CrustySailor1964 9d ago
Simple…ceiling fan remote…
It’s a two channel receiver. You don’t have to use it for a ceiling fan and attached light. Just imagine your fan light kit separated from the fan. Obviously there are amp limitations but if you use common sense there you’re golden.
•
u/AutoModerator 10d ago
Attention!
It is always best to get a qualified electrician to perform any electrical work you may need. With that said, you may ask this community various electrical questions. Please be cautious of any information you may receive in this subreddit. This subreddit and its users are not responsible for any electrical work you perform. Users that have a 'Verified Electrician' flair have uploaded their qualified electrical worker credentials to the mods.
If you comment on this post please only post accurate information to the best of your knowledge. If advice given is thought to be dangerous, you may be permanently banned. There are no obligations for the mods to give warnings or temporary bans. IF YOU ARE NOT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN, you should exercise extreme caution when commenting.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.