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We do not provide a wiring diagram because our approach to multiway switching involves connecting only one dimmer, designated as the primary or master dimmer. All other dimmers in the property will wirelessly control the master dimmer, eliminating the need for any physical wiring between them.
When configuring 2-way or multiway switching, we strongly advise wiring the dimmers as "1 way" and utilising wireless programming (two way switching automation) for dimmers located throughout your home that are not wired to the same light. So essentially wiring the lighting circuit to only 1 dimmer channel and this will be classed as the MASTER. This approach removes the necessity for three-core wiring between the dimmers. We always recommend wiring a property to standard regulations including a neutral wire where possible however we do not require all the wires so they can safely be terminated.
Our dimmers are designed so that channel 1 can power dimmable bulbs, which in turn automatically supplies power to the other channels without any physical connections required. If a neutral wire is present, the channels can be programmed via the app without needing to be linked to a load/bulbs. When you add a new smart series dimmer to the app, all available channels will be displayed, making setup straightforward and efficient.
This setup enables the transformation from a 1 gang dimmer to a 2 gang dimmer, utilising the additional channels for wireless 2-way switching. The same concept applies to transitioning from a 3 gang to a 4 gang dimmer, still fitting within the same back box.
If there are unconnected channels on the dimmer, pressing them will change the LED indicator from red to blue and not do anything until they are programmed. These spare channels can be set up as wireless 2-way or multiway switches using the two-way switching automation feature.
It is recommended to wire dimmers as one way to ensure a minimum load of 10W per wired dimmer. If another dimmer controls the same light using 3 core wiring, the minimum load increases to 20W. By wiring one channel and setting the other channels on other dimmers in the property as wireless 2-way switches, you can maintain a minimum wattage of 10W, making it ideal for using lower wattage LED bulbs.
Tip:
If there are neutral wires at your switching points, you can utilise the spare channels on the dimmers for various applications beyond just 2-way switching. These spare dimmer channels can be repurposed for functionalities like creating kill switches for devices through IF DO automations (one automation for ON and another for OFF), or linking them to control lightwave plug sockets and relays by setting up a Group automation for Switch. This allows for versatile use of the dimmer channels to suit your specific needs.
In certain situations, you may need to physically connect the switches if you are using a 1-gang dimmer as part of a 3-way setup with two additional 1-gang dimmers, especially when there is no neutral wire available to supply power to the second and third switches
To accomplish this, you will need to connect the Live (L) and switch Live (X) wires in parallel from one dimmer to the next. It is important to note that each dimmer has a minimum wattage requirement of 10 watts. Therefore, when wiring three dimmers together, the total minimum wattage requirement will increase to 30 watts.
Please Note:
- Two way switching automation needs to be set up
- Upon completion of the calibration process, the master dimmer will be ready for use. Adjust the brightness if needed, and all dimmers in the automation will synchronise. You can then control the lights manually from any dimmer within the automation setup.
- The Secondary dimmers are not controllable via the app and will display an S symbol on the app tile. They are designed for physical use only. When lights are switched on from the SECONDARY dimmers, they will briefly flash GREEN, indicating they have been set up as secondary devices.
Magic Button Approach
A magic button is an additional button on a Lightwave device that can be utilised to control various functions within the Lightwave ecosystem. It can be effectively applied in the context of two-way switching to significantly minimise the amount of wiring needed to achieve this functionality.
It is best explained with an example.
Here you will see that Steve initially had a 1 gang dimmer on his landing.
With the magic button feature, Steve opted to get a 2 gang instead, this requires no extra wiring and is wired exactly the same way as the 1 gang would have been wired. The second gang gains power from the first and becomes a magic button. Steve can now use this button to control whatever he wants within the Lightwave ecosystem.
In this example, he has paired it to the Downstairs Hallway Light using an IF-DO automation, so he has the ability to turn the Downstairs Hallway Light on and off from the same switch.
In this scenario, the only thing you need to remember is getting power to the dimmer. This can either be done through a dimmable lighting circuit (in this example Steve's Upstairs Landing Lights), or by applying live and neutral to a switch (no lighting circuit required).
Tip: This feature is not limited to just 2 gang dimmers; you can also use it with any other dimmer switch. For example, you could have a 4 gang dimmer switch and only use one gang for lighting, while the other three gangs can be used as magic buttons for controlling other devices within the Lightwave ecosystem.
If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us via a support ticket or call us on 0121 250 3625