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

among smarthome users in the netherlands, dimming is something we use a lot, therefore I would definitely add the dim function.

option 1 and 2 can both be done, however with option 2 there are more possibilities for smarthome users. suppose you want to use this switch without putting a dumb lamp behind it but instead use the switch to control a smart lamp, then with option 2 you can use the up and down dimming command from the switch.

that’s why my preference is option 2

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Dimming is very common and has been even more common with smart lights. My opinion is option 2, at least that’s the one I’d like in my house. Just thinking it would’ve been easier configuration both with and without smart bulbs.

Awesome, thanks guys – so do you think we need to put some sort of “break” in the middle of the switch so that people know to dim up you need to press the top (and vice versa for dimming down) like this (crappy mockup):

It would be similar to the side profile of our current switch.

Having a break like you mentioned could work.

It could also be like a rocker where if you press on the top or bottom, you feel the press. So, after the first use people understand that it can be pressed on either side, if not apparent visually.

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That is possible, only the looks do degrade

most (dump) push pushers I’ve seen just have a flat plate like you have in your options. so there is no break in this. As sss says, the first time you operate it, you know the pusher can go both ways. The switches are mostly used by the people who live there and in an unfamiliar house it is always a bit of a test to see how what works. i say keep it flat for the nicer looks.

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I like the design of it, but it might not be necessary. I live in Sweden and people here are used to up for on and down for off. On the other hand, I rarely say no to innovative design

Completely agree – I was hoping we wouldn’t have to do this, but I’m thankful for you speaking up because I’m not at all familiar with the switches over there, so this is very helpful feedback.

One way we could also program it would be to have it so that it’s not a rocker, but rather just a normal push button and it would operate like this:

  • Tap Down 1x = On (LED Bar lights up or turns off, whatever you want)
  • Tap Down 1x again = Off
  • Hold Down (if light is off) = Dims light on
  • Hold Down (if light is on) = Dims light off

We could go a step further and have it so that if you stop dimming for x amount of time, it would reverse. So, if you were dimming brighter and wanted to dim down, you’d stop for x seconds and then the switch would start dimming down.

To me that seems like a pain, but I’ve seen other one button switches operate that way.

I kind of like what you guys are saying in that it’s a rocker switch but still flat.

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no problem at all! im here to help!

yes i have programmed my nightstand button like this for example. this is useful for that. but not for a switch on the wall

yes I think thats the what you need. don’t know it you know the Heatit rockers? they have also al flat design and it is a rocker.

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Sounds like Inovelli needs a field trip to get some hands on experience :wink:

Awesome, this is one of the brands our contact gave me to look at (in fact, their picture is what inspired my latest mockup :rofl:)!

I’m game!

Couple of questions for you guys:

  1. What is the most common amperage your circuits can handle? For example, in the US, each circuit is either 15A or 20A. Is there a common amperage for your circuits?

  2. Color options – are you ok with the same color options we have in the states (ie: White, Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, Black, Brown, Grey, Red)? I think we’d probably choose the top 3 to begin with and see what the market requests (my thoughts would be: White, Black, Light Almond).

US Example

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  1. I believe it is 16A. But most switches usually do 10A or 13A.
  2. White and Black for sure. For the 3rd one, my vote is more on the Grey.

Also, another reference for wall switches. Smart Outlets and Switches - The Walli Series | FIBARO. They have their own design (with same measurements) but provide adapters to retrofit existing systems like GIRA, Schneider and Legrand.

Yes here also 16A.

yes black and white, other option I don’t mind :rofl:

I would also vote for grey as the 3rd color, but I imagine there is higher demand for Light Almond.

1: 16A is standard here in Sweden. I have Shelly plus in my house and 16A is what they handle.
2: white black & grey I would say.
Edit: better ask my wife about colors tho…
Edit 2: White, black & grey it is…

Hi, I love the idea of bringing Inovelli switches to Europe. I have been looking for a switch that has a presence/motion detector for a long time but no one in Europe is making these.

I find only these two switches but they are terrible.
livoloeurope
razyeek

The most used switches in CZ are from these companies:

  • Legrand
  • ABB
  • Schneider
  • Bticino - they collaborate with Legrand
  • Berker
  • Efapel
  • Fontini - They specialise mostly on retro switches that are round
  • TESLA

The first three companies are used the most.

The dimensions of the installation boxes:
elektroinstalacni-krabice-kopos-kp-68-ka__p_1161141_3

elektroinstalacni-krabice-kopos-kpr-68-ka-hluboka__p_1212052_3

The first one (43mm depth) is used the most for electrical switches but there are always use cases that require the usage of the deeper one (66mm depth).

Swetchases are usually square one but can be inserted inside rectangular brackets if you use more than two (or if you use a switch with a combination of wallplug/usb plug or something else).

Schneider - one of many types


image

ABB - one of many types
I will add these in the new post since I cant posted more images

That means that we usually buy switches and brackets separately because you can group I think up to five or six devices in one bracket.

There are even scenarios where we use round switches (mostly in historical buildings).

The last thing is that you can encounter old wiring standard that uses only 2 wires (phase and neutral) instead of three (phase, neutral, earth). There are also special wiring diagrams for scenarios where you want to control the light source with two or more switches (you need special switches that support that).

Sorry, this is the last thing. We use in newly built houses something that is called Residual-Current Device (RCD) or you can call it FI (FI-Schalter, Fehlerstrom-Schutzschalter). We add this device in the circuit in addition to braker.

The ABB brackets:


I would also think that if you reach out to some of the manufacturers they would collaborate with you.

Uk potential customer here. Would greatly look forward to reliable smart switches that could be controlled by SmartThings. One thing to note is that the recess of the back box that the uk switch sits in can be anything from 25mm up to over 44mm deep. Obviously the shallower the switch can be the wider range of compatible boxes it will work with. In lots of houses here the boxes are inset in masonry walls so replacing the back box with a deeper one is a big enough job to put people off getting a smart switch.

Hello from Latvia (Baltic states)!
I am also been searching a while for Zigbee, Thread/Matter switch with presence/motion sensors compatible for EU, but nothing looked worth to even try.
Very happy to hear Inovelli is working on EU switch!

Most common switches in Latvia would be from these brands:

  • Schneider
  • Vilma
  • Liregus
  • Legrand

Design from switch Option #1 and Option #2 I like the most, design would nicely co-exist with most switches I have seen in newly built/renovated houses. Also Option #1 would be great if dimmable and on/off switch is available to use in newly built apartments when all switches is going to be replaced, otherwise Option #2/#3 with frame is more universal.
Option #3 switches doesn’t look modern to me.

I am not sure why but for me horizontal led line reminds of already seen other cheap switches and it just doesn’t look premium quality. When I discovered Inovelli Blue Series I was so disappointed it is not available for EU, because it looks fantastic. As for current draft design I don’t have quite same excitement.

For Option#1 and #2 I am concerned about cases, when blindly reaching out for switch everyone would often tap on top line or even mby on small favorites button because everyone is just used to press on top/bottom of first thing sticking out of frame.
If Option #1 and #2 top horizontal line would be in same depth as frame (or just deeper) there may not be this design issue.

I am not great at design things, but maybe vertical led lights should be vertical for each button on right side and also one favorites button in top of each led - very much like US version. Also led strip as separate part from button looks much more premium. I would truly recognize this switch as Inovellis.

From my view its very common that new houses use at least few dimmable lights. Only in Latvia it is more commonly to see rotary switch, more recently built apartments use momentary switches.
Personally, choosing switch brand I would prefer one with on/off and also dimmable switches so I wouldn’t need to mix brands so in many cases availability of dimmable switch will favor selecting Inovelli.

I would be happy to to use dimmable and non dimmable lights with same design and trigger action as it is in Option #2
I currently have few dimmable momentary switches like Option #1, and I hate it, it is too much effort to get to right dimm spot and it feels dumb.

  1. In my apartment it is 6A for lights and 16A for sockets.
  2. I would vote for: White, Light Almond, Black