Alexa enabled light bulbs

[Astra LeMort]

Don't know if there's anyone here yet who will know the answer to this.

My elderly dad has Alexa and I was thinking about getting him the light bulbs so that he can get Alexa to turn lights on/off as he struggles getting up from the sofa. His main living room light takes four bulbs, so would every bulb have to be smart, or would one control the whole light fitting?

Thanks

[Admin]

I'd be interested to see answers on this (from people who know more than I do!), but I think it's a per-bulb smartness, so he probably would need four bulbs My worry about smart bulbs is how long lasting they are, or aren't.

Other options would be a smart light fitting, which would use regular bulbs. Or lamps, which would be operated via smart plugs/sockets. We have a couple of Gosund plugs, which we got from Amazon and they are very good. The first one developed a weird thing where it would "click" every morning at 9:58 and then at 21:58, but it didn't turn on or off when it did this, and worked perfectly via Alexa. I contacted them for advice, and they tried various things, including a software re-write (which they did for us and now I guess everyone has) but they couldn't sort it. So they sent us a new one! And we still use them both!

[Astra LeMort]

I'd be interested to see answers on this (from people who know more than I do!), but I think it's a per-bulb smartness, so he probably would need four bulbs My worry about smart bulbs is how long lasting they are, or aren't.

Other options would be a smart light fitting, which would use regular bulbs. Or lamps, which would be operated via smart plugs/sockets. We have a couple of Gosund plugs, which we got from Amazon and they are very good. The first one developed a weird thing where it would "click" every morning at 9:58 and then at 21:58, but it didn't turn on or off when it did this, and worked perfectly via Alexa. I contacted them for advice, and they tried various things, including a software re-write (which they did for us and now I guess everyone has) but they couldn't sort it. So they sent us a new one! And we still use them both!

That's what I was thinking, but I don't know anyone who has them to confirm it. I'd also be concerned about their longevity (or lack of), since they're not cheap.

I hadn't thought of a whole light fitting or lamps, so thanks for the suggestion.

[Deb Arkle]

I’ve just asked OH - he loves technology
He said all the bulbs would have to be smart bulbs, but another option would be to get a smart light switch to control the set.
Apparently the longevity of smart bulbs is the same as an LED bulb.

[Astra LeMort]

I’ve just asked OH - he loves technology
He said all the bulbs would have to be smart bulbs, but another option would be to get a smart light switch to control the set.
Apparently the longevity of smart bulbs is the same as an LED bulb.

Thank you!

I suspected as much. I'll look into switches and lamps

[Ian]

You can control them all as a group or just turn on what You need, I have 2 ceiling bulbs in my room and can turn either of them on or both and set the brightness etc

You name each bulb on setup and then can group them etc so bulbs could be named living 1, living 2 etc then just ask alexa turn turn on living 1

[Astra LeMort]

Just an update on this in case anyone is considering similar.

I got some smart light switches from Amazon. I read the description very carefully to ensure they were compatible with UK domestic wiring, which they are, BUT only with the addition of an extra neutral wire (not clear at all from the description).

I would confidently swap out a normal switch, but this was beyond my DIY skills. We had to get a qualified electrician, as part of the lighting circuit had to be re-wired. (It took about 4 hours in total for 4 switches). But at least it only has to be done once, so although the initial layout was more than buying bulbs, it will probably be better value in the long run.

They work, and my dad is delighted with them. He can now turn the bedroom/lounge/kitchen/hallway lights on/off with Alexa.

[Dave]

I've been tempted by voice activated light switches, but not taken the plunge

Interestingly I noticed that some say "Neutral wire required" but others claim "Single live wire - no neutral wire required" (such as this one)

Not sure how a switch can physically function without a live-neutral circuit. And let's not even mention earthing...

EDIT: Looked at one that did require a neutral, and in the Q&A saw this

I got no knowledge of light switches or electricity and was planning getting these installed in new house.Are they installed like any normal switch?

These need a neutral wire in the light switch box. Most houses in the UK won't have a neutral wire unless this is specifically requested of an electrician. Check with one before buying!

Really? When did "most" houses in the UK stop having a neutral wire? I can't think of any house I've swapped light switches over on, not having neutral. Also don't all electrical appliances need both live and neutral (and often earth, hence three pin sockets)?

[Astra LeMort]

I've been tempted by voice activated light switches, but not taken the plunge

Interestingly I noticed that some say "Neutral wire required" but others claim "Single live wire - no neutral wire required" (such as this one)

Not sure how a switch can physically function without a live-neutral circuit. And let's not even mention earthing...

EDIT: Looked at one that did require a neutral, and in the Q&A saw this

I got no knowledge of light switches or electricity and was planning getting these installed in new house.Are they installed like any normal switch?

These need a neutral wire in the light switch box. Most houses in the UK won't have a neutral wire unless this is specifically requested of an electrician. Check with one before buying!

Really? When did "most" houses in the UK stop having a neutral wire? I can't think of any house I've swapped light switches over on, not having neutral. Also don't all electrical appliances need both live and neutral (and often earth, hence three pin sockets)?

That's what confused me - as far as I'm aware ALL sockets/switches have a neutral wire - the circuit wouldn't work without it. I wasn't present when the electrician was there, and my dad knows zilch about electrics, so his explanation to me was as clear as mud.

From what I can gather, it's an EXTRA neutral - I'm guessing like you have in modern wiring where a light has a 2-way switch. I only discovered this when I replaced the light fitting in the extension which has newer wiring than the rest of the house -there was an extra yellow wire that I had no idea what to do with. I had to STFW for a wiring diagram. I succeeded in the end.

[Cathy]

I've just got smart plugs and lamps plugged in much easier