Smart home lighting: smart bulbs, smart switches or DALI?

Short answer: Smart lighting can be set up in three ways: smart bulbs that fit existing sockets and switches, smart switches or relay/dimmer modules fitted in the switch box, and in new builds, wired systems controlled from the consumer unit (DALI, KNX or modules linked to a smart home panel). In a rented or finished home, smart bulbs and modules are practical; in a new house or villa, planning lighting control together with the wiring is more reliable and cheaper in the long run. The detail most often forgotten is bringing a neutral wire to the switch boxes.

What smart lighting can do

• Scenes: one touch sets several fixtures to preset levels, such as "Movie", "Dinner" or "Night".
• Schedules: switching at set times, or simulating presence while you are away.
• Sensors: lights in hallways, stairs and bathrooms that switch on and dim with movement; dimming according to daylight.
• Colour temperature: cool white by day, warm white in the evening ("tunable white").
• Remote and voice control: from a phone, wall panel or voice assistant.
• All off: switch every light off with one button when leaving.

Three approaches

• Smart bulbs (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Bluetooth): no installation, they screw into the lamp holder. If the wall switch is turned off the bulb drops off the network, so the switch must stay on or a wireless button must be added. They generally cannot be used in downlights, linear fixtures or magnetic track.
• Smart switches / relay modules: the existing fixtures stay; a module replaces or sits behind the switch. Most models need a neutral in the switch box; older buildings often only have the live and the switched live there. If a dimmer module is used, the fixtures must be dimmable.
• Wired / central systems (DALI, KNX, smart home panel): fixtures are controlled from modules in the consumer unit or over a DALI line, with push buttons and touch panels on the walls. They do not suffer from wireless problems, scale well and connect to building automation. The decision has to be made at the conduit stage.

Wireless protocols

• Wi-Fi: no extra hub, but many devices can strain the home network.
• Zigbee / Thread: low energy, devices relay signals to each other (mesh); a hub is needed.
• Bluetooth: short range, usually one room.
• Matter: a common standard that lets different brands work in the same app. Checking for Matter support makes it easier to change brands later.

Planning in a new home: six steps

1. Write down rooms and scenarios: which scene in which room, where the sensors go, where dimming is needed.
2. Choose control to suit the fixture: dimmable drivers for LED strip and linear lights, DALI or phase cut for downlights and magnetic track.
3. Bring a neutral to the switch boxes and fix the positions of panels and buttons.
4. If a wired system is chosen, pull the DALI or control line into the conduit now.
5. Leave room for modules in the consumer unit (often a separate lighting control board).
6. Do not forget the network: wired data points for the hub and panels.

Lighting with smart home panels

The official product list of the Akubela smart home system we use in our projects includes switch and relay modules, 0–10 V and triac dimmer modules, a two-channel DALI gateway and LED controllers. Lighting can therefore be controlled from the same panel as curtains, climate and the video intercom. You can see the system working in our store in Nilüfer, Bursa.

Common mistakes

• Connecting non-dimmable LEDs to a dimmer module (flicker, buzzing).
• Finding out too late that there is no neutral in the switch box.
• Turning off a smart bulb at the wall switch and then having "offline" problems.
• Using a different brand and app in every room.
• Relying on Wi-Fi only; local control should keep working when the internet is down.

• → Smart home wiring in a new build
• → Dimmable LEDs and dimmers
• → Motion sensor lighting
• → How to make cove lighting
• → Magnetic track planner
• → Electrical contractor in Bursa