Wi-Fi light hardware budget: Shelly relay, real wall switch and complete light

Discuss Wifi Smart Lighting including Tuya, Lenovo, Wemo
Post Reply
User avatar
ZerOne
Site Admin
Posts: 262
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2020 8:21 am

This is a one-light shopping-list example to accompany the Wi-Fi/local-versus-cloud introduction. It uses an ordinary light and a smart relay, rather than a smart bulb whose only physical control removes its power.

What actually controls what?
The Clipsal wall switch connects to the Shelly's physical input; the Shelly's relay switches the SAL downlight. The module contains the controller and takes its own power from mains. Its 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection adds local browser control through your existing router. No separate hub, Home Assistant computer, subscription or cloud account is needed for that local arrangement. The wired input remains useful if the router is unavailable, provided it is configured to operate the relay rather than detached for automation.

Exactly which hardware?
The 1 Mini Gen3 is a neutral-required, single-channel on/off relay with dry contacts, rated up to 8A AC under its specified conditions. It is not a dimmer or power meter. A headline amp rating is not an allowance for that many watts of LED drivers: inrush and the permitted load types matter. The lamp here is only one 9W downlight. Its colour-temperature selector is set physically; this relay cannot change it remotely.
Priced equipment subtotal: AUD54.24 (about USD37.43).

The snubber is explicitly budgeted for the LED-driver load category, rather than omitted to make the price look cheaper. Its suitability and installation follow the relay/load instructions and the electrician's assessment. The SAL retailer URL still contains an older “8W” description; the current product and official WAVE page specify the selected S9065TCWH as 9W.

Literal wiring and commissioning
There is normal mains-rated lighting cable between circuit, module, wall-switch input and light, with neutral at the relay. The wall input must be treated according to the mains device's instructions, not as a safe low-voltage data pair. Cat5e is not the lighting load cable. Data between relay and router is wireless 2.4GHz Wi-Fi; no Ethernet adapter is required.

After the electrician completes and checks the installation, use Shelly's documented local setup/web interface to join your own Wi-Fi, set the correct maintained-switch input mode and power-restoration behaviour, then check the physical switch and local browser. Internet/cloud remote control is optional, not a mandatory link in this control path. No custom programming is needed for basic switching; scripting and MQTT are later options, not prerequisites.

Required site items, not hidden in the subtotal
An electrician must also allow for suitable approved enclosure/backbox and mounting, protected mains circuit, required neutral/earth arrangements, mains-rated connections and an appropriate controlled outlet if using the plug-equipped downlight. These are required installation items, not optional smart-home accessories; they need a site quote in addition to the priced components. Do not leave a module or live terminals loose above a ceiling or in a demonstration box. Australian fixed mains wiring is licensed-electrician work. The driver and light are included in the SAL item; no separate LED power supply is missing.

The manufacturer specifies external protective-device requirements; the installer must check those against the existing circuit, including the Mini's maximum 10A protective-device requirement. A spare switch box with no neutral is not automatically a suitable location.

Complexity and expansion
Electrical installation is professional work; app/browser commissioning is relatively straightforward. A further independent light channel repeats the priced relay, switch, light and snubber basket: AUD54.24 (about USD37.43) before its own installation. One relay may switch a suitable group as a single circuit, but that does not give individual control. Your router is reused infrastructure. Optional remote access, energy monitoring or dimming require additional or different hardware, not an assumption that this relay already does them.

Price basis
Prices checked 8 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). These are Australian listings, not US kits. USD figures are converted equivalents using RBA 6 November 2026: AUD1 = USD0.6900, rounded to cents; converted totals use the unrounded AUD sum. GST is confirmed only where stated above; the other extracted listings did not establish tax inclusion. Stock and offers can change. Subtotals exclude shipping, cables/building wiring, duties if importing, labour and the separately identified site items. No purchases or hardware testing are claimed.

Manufacturer / implementation references
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss Wifi Based Smart Lighting Devices”