Smart light switches

Former Community Member over 4 years ago

I have recently installed a smart light switch that works with alexa and needs no neutral at the switch.

To enable it to function correctly they provide a capacitor that has to be connected across the live and neutral at the ceiling rose.

My question is.. Are these regarded as being safe?

Thanks for any help

Dave

0 Simon Barker over 4 years ago

That mostly depends on what sort of capacitor. A suitably rated Class Y capacitor should be safe enough if installed properly. They are designed to fail open circuit if overloaded (e.g. by a voltage surge).
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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago
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0 Simon Barker over 4 years ago

That looks like a Class X2 capacitor. It's rated for mains voltage, but could go "pop" in the event of a fault. If it is the one supplied, I wouldn't worry about it.
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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Ok thanks Simon.
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0 mapj1 over 4 years ago

Agree class X. Perfectly safe to be connected between L and N, on any circuit with suitable ADS (like a fuse or breaker, which I'm sure your lights do have) Failure will not endanger human life, just put the lights off.

If a failure would endanger life such as between live and a otherwise isolated metal part you might touch, then a tighter standard applies. (class Y)

regards Mike
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Smart light switches

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