Apartment Therapy Unplugged | Good Question: Ever Used Lightning Wireless Switch System?

Good Question: Ever Used Lightning Wireless Switch System?

Hi,

I'd like to find out if any readers use or have used the wireless switch system that Lightning Switch offers.

Thanks,
Albo

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Hi, Albo, thanks for the question. While we ourselves haven't used the Lightning Switch, or even anything like it, we've been very interested in learning more, so we're right there with you in wanting to find out if anyone's used this, or other similar types, of wireless lighting control systems.

Readers, care to share any thoughts, observations or experiences they've had?

Comments (4)

I've used INSTEON and X10 systems, which have the benefit of wide adoption (which generally equals support). X10 has been around for a long time now, and insteon powerline modules are backwards-compatible with it. check out www.smarthome.com, they created insteon and offer a ton of info and decent enough prices on all things home automation.

posted by vinegar on July 25th 2007 at 6:48am
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I tried to use a system sold by Radio Shack to control my Ikea cable lighting systems. All I wanted was a wall switch and controllers on the three cable runs. Unfortunately, we could never get it to work properly. So I returned it twice (two separate attempts to get it to work).

posted by John H on July 26th 2007 at 5:07am
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Thanks for the replies!

I'm familiar with X10, and use it currently for a few lights in my apartment, and I'm sure the INSTEON is similar. I wonder what your Radio Shack system is?

The idea behind using the Lightning Switch products is to reduce the amount on wiring in a new home construction that I'm currently building in Vermont. The price of copper is extremely high at the moment, and our budget for electrical has DOUBLED because of this factor. The idea of not running wire to switches has great appeal.

posted by Albo on July 26th 2007 at 4:06pm
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I'm not sure I'd go whole hog into using these systems as a substitute for wiring. You will definitely want to check with building authorities in your area regarding whether they will approve the kinds of usages you envision. Also keep in mind that should you decide to sell your home in the future, potential buyers may not be impressed with this system in comparison to conventional wiring.

Whatever you decide to do, make absolutely sure the system will work for the applications you are contemplating and get guarantees that the supplier will accept returns if it doesn't work. Radio Shack assured me repeatedly that the system would work for my application, despite their staff's help plus two friends with electrical engineering backgrounds, inevitably it did not work and I had to return the system.

posted by John H on July 27th 2007 at 10:14am
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