@pakopako a 3-way switch allows you to control the lights from two different locations. Good for homes with two switches for the kitchen, a switch at the bottom & top of the stairs, etc.
@pakopako I always assumed they called them that because there’s 3 terminals on the switch. (If you need to control a light from three places, you’ll need two 3-ways and a 4-way. And for more locations, there are just more 4-ways.)
@walarney huh.
Good to know. Most of the switches in my old house have 3 terminals (which I assumed were positive negative and ground) even though only a handful were actual “three way lights” (staircase lights). I wonder what that means for my other light switches.
@pakopako
3rd way: Originally between capitalism and socialism.
2-way switch, 3-way switch or staircase switch: A setup with two throw switches.
A nice simulation on how it works: https://everycircuit.com/app
Pick “two-way light switch”
Why would you need two smart switches for a two-way setup? If it works as a proper 3-pole switch it should be sufficient to change one of the two switches to smart.
@formfeed It SHOULD, but in my experience you do need two, something about so they “know” if they’re on or off. It’s nonsense, the wiring should be sufficient, but I tried with one and couldn’t make it work. Hoping these do the trick for my entryway ceiling light, where both switches are in stupid places.
@lichen Don’t know. But assuming it is the ESWL03, then the answer would be yes.
(Etekcity user manual page 7.)
“Product Requirements
[…]
• Neutral wire.
Note: The smart light switch is not suitable for a single-wire
switch box.”
What’s included?
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Dec 26 - Friday, Dec 27
I’m looking more for things that work with Apple HomeKit.
@haydesigner you could also get a bridge (an extra piece of hardware that, well, bridges between the native app and the home kit app)
What the heck is the 3rd way?
@pakopako that way between the woods and frozen lake. Your little horse knows …
@pakopako a 3-way switch allows you to control the lights from two different locations. Good for homes with two switches for the kitchen, a switch at the bottom & top of the stairs, etc.
@pakopako I always assumed they called them that because there’s 3 terminals on the switch. (If you need to control a light from three places, you’ll need two 3-ways and a 4-way. And for more locations, there are just more 4-ways.)
@walarney huh.
Good to know. Most of the switches in my old house have 3 terminals (which I assumed were positive negative and ground) even though only a handful were actual “three way lights” (staircase lights). I wonder what that means for my other light switches.
@pakopako
3rd way: Originally between capitalism and socialism.
2-way switch, 3-way switch or staircase switch: A setup with two throw switches.
A nice simulation on how it works: https://everycircuit.com/app
Pick “two-way light switch”
Why would you need two smart switches for a two-way setup? If it works as a proper 3-pole switch it should be sufficient to change one of the two switches to smart.
@formfeed It SHOULD, but in my experience you do need two, something about so they “know” if they’re on or off. It’s nonsense, the wiring should be sufficient, but I tried with one and couldn’t make it work. Hoping these do the trick for my entryway ceiling light, where both switches are in stupid places.
edit: 2-pole
@formfeed
You know if they need the neutral wire?
@lichen Don’t know. But assuming it is the ESWL03, then the answer would be yes.
(Etekcity user manual page 7.)
“Product Requirements
[…]
• Neutral wire.
Note: The smart light switch is not suitable for a single-wire
switch box.”
https://etekcity.com/cdn/shop/files/V01.04_ML_HTHOHIHT28D_ESWL03-3-Way-Smart-WiFi-Light-Switch-WEB_b80af924-5877-41c1-bdea-0c64e2a9e5c4.pdf
@formfeed thank you