Project Europa | 240V Smart Switch(es) For Europe (EU) - Zigbee, Thread/Matter

European Lounge
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Here is how the current models work. I am guessing that the European models will be designed the same.

When the switch is mated with a smart bulb, the switch is put into the Smart Bulb Mode. This instructs the switch to put out full power to the bulb. So at this point, flipping the paddle on the switch will have no effect on the wired load i.e. the bulb, since it has been set to continuously put out full power.

You have a couple of options on how to control the bulbs with the switch in this configuration. The first would be to bind (Zigbee) or associate (Z-Wave) the switch to the bulb. This requires your hub to support binding or association. With binding or association, there is now a direct connection between the switch and the bulb. You can turn on and off and dim normally. That connection does not go through the switch, so it does not rely upon a good hub connection once initially established.

Bear in mind that at the present, hubs do not support binding for the White Matter devices. If or when that becomes a thing, the switches are configured to support that.

If you don’t want to bind or associate, you can use automations based upon paddle taps sent from the switch to either turn the bulb one or off or set dim levels.

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Thanks for the answer Bry. I was wondering that this is probably something that still needs to be implemented to Matter/Thread protocol thing.

Hopefully we won’t need to wait long for this function to become available. I currently use some remote type of switches. They work ok, but no dimming function on them. And I don’t want to buy anything but Matter devices from now own, so everything is compatible, and without needing extra hubs.

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There’s Europe Direct, a service provided by the EU for questions regarding practically anything EU related, they’re able to provide you with sources or contacts if it helps you.
And since you are registering a EU business I recommend just asking them.

Also, I myself sent them a message as I wanted to see if they can help with questions like yours, so I can recommend them. And luckily it turns out, the EU already has sources for businesses, so I’m dropping their message here, in case it helps.

After quickly going over the HS codes, the switches probably fall within Subheading 853710. But you should triple check the code or just apply for a BTI.

Now as for the import issues that have been talked about before. I’d say look into customs warehousing too if the sources above don’t mention it.

PS: I am not an expert in the topic, I am not a representative of Europe Direct and my message is not legal advice.

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Hello, we are in the process of building our house, and I’m eager to use these new EU Inovelli smart switches in it. At the moment, the electrical wiring is being installed, and the technician is asking how the devices should be connected.

Could anyone share a wiring diagram or relevant details, particularly for setting up a 2-way configuration with an Inovelli EU smart switch and an Inovelli EU auxiliary switch (which is yet to be developed)?

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There should be a neutral wire in every switch outlet box, but that’s pretty standard nowadays. Other than that, standard 3-way wiring (Wechselschaltung in german) will be okay since the smart switches are designed to fit into that scheme anyways. I’m not 100% sure about 4+ way, but I suspect that the standard way (Kreuzschaltung) is the best choice for that as well.

PS: I think what you describe as 2-ways is in reality called 3-ways, because apparently the lamp counts as well.

The electrical installation in our new house is currently being done as well :slight_smile:
We just told them to install deeper boxes than standard to also be able to fit shelly-like modules. The result is that all the involved installers just went more wasteful with space when routing their cables :sweat_smile:

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Alright everyone, I have an update and think I’ve solved the issue we had of VAT and remitting taxes that was haunting me (the last thing we want is to surprise you all with duties when the switch arrives and at the same time, the last thing we want is to lose money on this project by having to pay penalties for not remitting taxes properly).

Had a call with Shopify and they confirmed they were unable to help us, but they recommended me to another company that can. The only caveat is that we would have to ship from the US as opposed to having a warehouse in the EU/UK and shipping it from there (still unclear as to why that is, but that’s just what they said).

So, I want to get one last look at the shipping costs as if they’re astronomical, this may not work, but he claimed they weren’t that bad if we use their carrier and the transit time would be 3-5 days, which sounded pretty reasonable.

Once we grow this larger, we can look at an alternative to warehousing the product in the EU and figuring out the taxes then. But for now, since we’re all piloting this together, I think shipping from the US will work.

Forward progress!

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That’s a great update, but a shame you’ve been messed around so much!

Shipping from the US will work, but I agree that for the best buyer experience you will want to collect taxes and make sure the paperwork is spot on - for the UK you could offload this to users over £135 value, but it’s a pain point. I also think that, long term for the UK, you’ll probably just warehouse in the EU and deal with this same paperwork.

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Of course all of this logic could break next Monday with the start of the new administration in Washington, DC and their desire to tariff all imports and exports. It may be beneficial to ship from the factory to the EU, bypassing the USA and the impending tariffs…assuming that container shipments aren’t crazy expensive on that route…

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Sounds great Eric!

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Hey, I couldnt find the 240V switch on the website. Has this project been shut down?

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Really waiting for EU switches, while a little bit too late for me to install them right away, if they will come with the features mentioned, I might just replace the ones currently being installed when these are released.

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Having transitioned from Insteon to the blue series via several alternatives. And then successfully installed the white series in another location. I’m now in Italy and eagerly awaiting this project to come fruition. I’m unable to find an all in one solution that is any way close to the functionality provided by your US white switch.

It seems I can cobble something together using a physical switch, a separate hidden switch module and then a hub. When what I’m really looking for is a single switch that communicates over matter.

I’m hoping you can iron out the issues with this project. I’d also sign up for a beta program if it becomes available…

The web site is showing preorders as sold out. Is this case? Or are they not open yet?

Cheers,

Carl

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Not yet open. Projects under consideration or under development are listed that way.

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Looking forward to the release!

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Nearly two months since last update now. How have things progressed?

Last time you said EU warehouse seems tough but sending from the US might be possible. Unfortunately a lot of geopolitical shenanigans have happened, how have that affected things?

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I wanted also to add, maybe someone told you so already, that the EU created the One-Stop-Shop system that allows you to declare all your VAT in a single country (the one you incorporated you company in). You have a thresold of 10.000 €/yr, below you can only invoice one VAT rate (your country’s VAT). Above you have to get the correct rate for each country. But that’s not a hard number to find. Smart switches will all fall under the standard VAT rate of each country.

More info here: VAT One Stop Shop - European Commission

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Just starting out with home automation and frankly, very disappointed to find out that smart switches are in this half half state, seems like only inovelli is making switches that make sense, but you’re not in Europe yet. How frustrating :smiling_face_with_tear::smiling_face_with_tear::smiling_face_with_tear:

My 2c, my use case that I envision, is to essentially have a switch in my normal box in the wall, hard wired, where the main physical buttons trigger whatever automation I like. With a physical button fallback to cut the power, hidden away on the side preferably, don’t want people to accidentally cut the power.

Hope yall make some good progress, because I’m not sure I can find anything like that :sweat_smile:

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I don’t have any switches because I’m in the UK but I think you can do as you wish regarding programming the switch to do whatever you wish. I don’t know about the power cut off though. You’d have to install an isolator somewhere else if you want that. Why do you want that, I’m curious?

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if the network is down for whatever reason I want to be able to use the switches as normal. or when I go away for longer, shut everything down properly.

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In about two months, we’ll likely be ready to install new light switches in our new home.

A few months ago, I was fairly confident these would be Inovelli switches. But the long silence has left me unsure.

Is there any update or estimated timeframe for when the EU models will be available for (pre-)order?
Also, is the plan still to launch a crowdfunding campaign, or will units be available shortly after ordering?

I hope this doesn’t come across as pushy. Just hoping to get a better idea of what our options are.

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