How to Install a Wireless Light Switch | All About Lights | Ask This Old House

[@glicmathan1771]

This Old House remains the most useful DIY channel.

[@ikecostner1]

im so glad this old house is still doing videos, the series' where they did entire homes were great

[@berylharrison2602]

Ike Costner jjl

[@ikecostner1]

Beryl Harrison what

[@Wizigns]

I definitely love how convenient these wireless switches are. This is the perfect application for one.

[@michaelhall7663]

@Lucky Joestar your phone as well

[@wadeinn463]

I was using Insteon and they went out of business 2 days ago. Nothing works now.

[@42_universe]

@@wadeinn463 these communicate directly so it won't matter if the company goes out of business... well you won't be update any firmware to patch security issues, etc but these are not cloud based. They don't require a company's servers running somewhere to keep this working.

[@JF32304]

I'd rather pay a $100 for a wireless switch vs the other options. wonderful option. I didn't know existed.

[@31acruz]

He never told you how the switch is powered did he?

[@Rifterstrag39]

@@31acruz it's a kinetic energy switch manufactured by Leviton called LevNET and has since been discontinued... Also clicking the switch generates the power to send the signal to the relay

[@hulkhuggett]

@@Rifterstrag39 that's pretty awesome technology. Too bad it's discontinued. Wander why.

[@WERob-to5sp]

@@hulkhuggett Home Depot no longer carries these types of switches either . Makes you wonder how reliable they are. Amazon has 1 for $25 that has a high rating. "Wsdcam Wireless Light Switch and Receiver Kit,"

[@wadeinn463]

@@hulkhuggett find a replacement yet?

[@stk931]

is the host from massachusetts? he sure has a lot of idears

[@cakeman58]

stk931 that's not a MA thing. In MA, they don't pronounce trailing Rs. They don't add Rs to words.

[@MrPremium08]

stk931 omg, thanks for the laugh

[@nelsonbrito4964]

Donald trump talks like that and he's from New York lol.

[@Carefree6714]

LOL- its an East Coast thing, from NYC up through New England.

[@brandonwilson4281]

🍼🔥💰🍼👙🌪️

[@jpl57210]

I have an old house with the same type of cloth covered wire. The last fixture I installed I made jumpers connected to the old house wiring/ tucked it up and voila, new wiring to attach the fixture to. That's a neat wireless light assembly.

[@josephsager9425]

That's pretty cool! It's like the wireless module that lets me control my ceiling fan from a remote. I didn't realize they made them for lights too, but it makes sense.

[@londontrada]

She wanted a light switch, she got a History & Science lesson

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

londontrada What’s wrong with some free, accurate education? 😉

[@BeeeHonest]

LOL...

[@joshuasanchez5871]

😂😂😂

[@antking1117]

lol

[@TheMeoMuop]

LMAO

[@shanecthompson77]

I like how she "conveniently" had a new light fixture with a deep canopy to easily accommodate the remote module. Try stuffing that thing in the electrical box, or a fixture with a much more shallow canopy. Nice option though.

[@philkingmke]

shanecthompson77 i was thinking the same shit. lol. its actually meant to go in a knockout in the box in the attic. lol. but hey, whatever works.

[@eksine]

they have a trailer, money, and the show is scripted, how are you surprised?

[@larryprokop3137]

You hate to make a hole in good ceiling to hide this thing

[@kulwinderkaur5359]

No

[@thegatekeeper715]

Had one of these remotes installed in a light fixture switch box that controlled a light in our kitchen and the remote switch about 12 ft away on another wall at the entrance to the kitchen. It worked well except that at random times the light would come on and go off without any switch being used. We lived in a condo building and figured out that someone else may have had a similar remote wireless switch installed which was causing the random on and off. We ended up chucking the thing away.

[@gilessteve]

You should have used yours A LOT, so they ended up throwing theirs away instead.

[@LordVader5738]

You could change the frequency I think

[@42_universe]

that would be a pretty nasty bug, these should have unique identifiers...

[@bgregg55]

There's also a socket adapter type if you are not changing out the fixture.

[@ianrennebohm8294]

Hi! Billy Mays here for the Handy Switch!

[@bluenight317]

For those wondering how this works this is what I would have to guess. Inside of the switch is a special crystal(L1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ25emqPf6x7p5I)(lapiz I think, can't remember) that is similar to what's in a lighter, when it gets "flexed" quickly it produces power, it is then probably ran through a resister to limit it (or) straight into a spark gap data transmitter (L2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ-ufJ1ol9Shd6s) which then transmits it. Extra info 1: Because of the type transmitter that is probably used there is no encryption hence why one of you had interference with a neighbor, So you can probably only have one. Extra info 2: The reason the switch is a momentary instead of a toggle like most household light switches is because of the crystal used. This is an educated guess using what I know, if you agree, disagree, or want to add more to this discussion comment and like so others will see how it works.

[@chadmasters3935]

Is there a similar product to wirelessly switch my whale oil lamps?

[@ferkomes]

you can blow it.

[@CallieMasters5000]

Yes there is a similar product, but it's from a part of the whale you don't want to be touching.

[@dreamingthelife]

that technology is is old as the whale lamps, they called it slavery

[@eksine]

witchcraft

[@negritorican]

I laughed way to hard at this lol

[@loutimmons3099]

THANK YOU for this. I saw it a couple years ago on TV and got two of these - both pull-string light bulbs are GONE forever! The gizmo cost a bit more than $100 each - but it was well worth it!

[@TheMixmastamike1000]

He is my favorite electrician from the show and cool tech

[@stephenhill1089]

I loved him in the Fast and the Furious movies.

[@jrf1511]

This is a great solution - thanks for sharing. I wish there was a similar solution, but with a dimmer switch and I could connect to 4 lights all in different locations.

[@davidsparks2015]

Jason Fiala maybe Philips hue set up or similar...

[@lauraharte8196]

We have ceiling fans in all bedrooms at my house that the previous owner paid to have wired but didn't install any switches! All operated by remotes. I want to switch to nice lights and was going to run wires (attic above) but this is SO EASY! I am very excited about this discovery.

[@jbb5470]

This was fantastic. One of the best explained product I have seen. Great and thank you!

[@31acruz]

He never told you how the switch is powered did he?

[@blueribb99]

Scott said there was no battery in the wireless switch but did not explain how the switch assembly is powered. It needs to send an RF signal to the receiver (with antenna). Pressing the switch produces a small amount of electricity but how ? The range is claimed to be 100 feet according to the ads. The system costs around $100.

[@beeps7]

I'm sure the switch has a battery and $100 is ridiculous.

[@ALAPINO]

It's kinetically powered. They basically turned the rocker into a little generator-- enough for the RF impulse... thus the silly price of $100+.

[@BaronVonPatches]

Nope, no battery - Just looked it up and I found a bunch like this tinyurl.com/hfer4bv and a few for less - the $100 estimate is probably $60 for the switch, plus $40/hr for your electrician.

[@rol2152]

$40/hr for an electrician is laughable. That will not cover 30 minutes.

[@cup_and_cone]

SirVixIsVexed - Yup. It's too prevent running additional wire... always more expensive unless you DIY.

[@mikev7044]

Absolutely loved the explanation of how the switch worked.

[@RicardoJunqueira]

That is some pretty cool tech. Simple, functional and easy to install.

[@still34u]

well .. on the other hand, it's a hundred dollar light switch ... I'd rather have a pull chain ;)

[@RicardoJunqueira]

Indeed! Well, for some, money is not an issue. :)

[@amos616]

still34u - I bet it's still cheaper than having the electrician out, cutting channels and running wire!

[@still34u]

Amy Cutting That's a good point, I usually do everything myself, sometimes I forget other people don't

[@RicardoJunqueira]

Amy Cutting indeed.

[@ShivamKamaansing]

The thumbnail made me think it's a porno 😂😂😂

[@sminthian]

Why isn't there a This Old House porno series yet?

[@jonathangwynne1917]

Beth should get her own show

[@doylesarahpal]

My company has used these a few times. This guy seemed to leave out the need to link the relay to the switch, and you can install it directly to the wall so that it looks like a real switch and not some handyman installation. He left out the fact that you are not allowed to extend an ungrounded circuit, new installations must use modern methods, so running a switch leg would not be allowed unless you provided grounded power to the fixture. Of course that may just be in our jurisdictions.

[@bobbaglien5435]

Comment to your This guy seemed to leave out the need to link the relay to the switch," You are right in that the relay to the switch MUST be synced to use exactly the same signal. But if you buy the exact one he uses in this video ... I read on amazon website that they ARE SYNCHED up at factory so they will communicate to each other. I read for a couple of other same kind of wireless switches that they do the same thing at the factory so they can communicate with each other. So no need to worry about them being able to communicate with each other. I bought this exact wireless product, then installed it ad it worked perfectly plus I made the wall socket look like all the other wall on/off switches and thus it looks professional (same height plus on goes up and off goes downward.)

[@donramsey3539]

This is a very helpful video and is definitely a solution for the exact same problem I have for a closet light. Does anyone know where he got this light kit from?

[@twentyonetwos3967]

Great video, Brilliant idea, but I am miffed how the antenna signal is generated without a battery.

[@matthewschneller]

Thanks for the history lesson, Vin Diesel

[@stevenpadilla4294]

80 year technology finally comes to the market why didnt somebody figure this out years ago.

[@still34u]

Back in 93 I saw a light "switch" that would hide inside the fixture and react to a car alarm remote. Not practical if you are in a house, but they lived on fifth floor.. so they didn't unlock their car every time they turn the light on. and that was 25 years ago

[@eyesuckle]

I've had a switch like this since the year 2000--although the switch itself is a pretty hideous-looking thing with about six buttons on it.

[@victoriakondo3118]

i think it would be cool to have it as a remote control for the bedrooms. that way you can turn on and off the light from bed.

[@rymaster4385]

Victoria Kondo check out the WeMo switches. They connect to your WiFi and you can control from your smart phone

[@paigem]

he had an idearr

[@Arieeeee]

It used to be that no self respecting electrician would go this route because many remote modules were absolute junk that would break down and be a nightmare to troubleshoot later due to the hidden parts in light fixtures, but in the last several years, the products are much better. I'm not a big fan of the Leviton that Scott is using and prefer Lutron's various RF lines myself since you can also tie them on to other home automation systems.

[@WarpRadio]

I will add, here, that these RF remote things are VERY susceptible to interference ESPECIALLY from WiFi and other RF devices in the home and the neighbors; not to mention, electrical spikes from lightening strikes and large appliances on the electrical system..

[@fbanda20]

What a great Idear !

[@MrSamTeacher]

Would be nice to know the products used.

[@Ketooey]

"And, it's an LED light bulb, so you'll never have to change it again... For the Machine is immortal... Even in death, I serve the Omnissiah."

[@andrewjones8292]

I cant be laughing that hard dude. I'm trying to finish my bedroom. All hail the emperor of man.

[@AlexRocks24-7]

Very very very clever 👌👏👏👏

[@APRIL2862]

Super old wire insulation coating, how safe is that?

[@billg2942]

Actually still meets code, 100 years later!

[@steveloux4709]

The insulation looked to be in great condition,. I would feel very confident in continuing to use it. Unfortunately often this is exactly where the insulation gets cooked in a house with knob and tube wiring. It is a result of overlamping the fixture with 100 and 150 watt incandescent light bulbs over many years. In that case, the insulation becomes quite brittle and falls away readily when manipulated.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Her smile and the new, wirelessly switched, LED fixture lit up the room. Great job Scott. I was amazed that the switch was battery free. Curious: How much phantom power does the module consume? I’m assuming not much to be concerning.

[@carnutal3627]

Rob L. Mine has a battery.

[@TwinPalmsOn30A]

Is there a device that replaces the switch on the wall and allows you to have a remote at your desk or at your bed to turn that switch on? I have an office with six canned lights, so this would not work. Unless maybe this device would screw into the first can light of the run??

[@duckiedx]

Get a Philip hue bulb and dimmer combo on amazon for $40 No bridge needed just install bulb like normal and stick dimmer switch to wall.

[@victorlee7638]

The lady is right. I supposed the remote switch needs battery to power.

[@Jester420JustinGaming]

Will this work for my basement? I have three lights all controlled by one light switch. We made a new room downstairs with two of the three lights being in the room.. and we only have a single switch that’s outside of the bedroom.. we would like to get a switch for the two lights in the room And it not affect the other single basement light..

[@rjtkoh]

How does the switch send a signal without any batter or power source?

[@DrFillyBlunt]

Grab wireless lamp socket off amazon for $20 and screw it into the fixture. Insert bulb. Attach switch to wall. Done.

[@johnny-becker]

Though I am sure you are not in the business of promotion, what brand and model is that light switch. The simplicity of it is nice and simple.

[@kikinisyun]

Im not an electrician but I noticed that the wires coming from the ceiling are aluminum which requires an anti oxidant paste to prevent corrosion and overheating when copper wires are attached.

[@sbelknap83]

The wires are actually tinned copper, not aluminum. Therefore, no need for for paste.

[@michaelhall7663]

Wireless light switches should have seen that coming!

[@AdamOmidpanah]

And this is how you upsale, gentlemen.

[@jerrysmith9780]

Can someone help with which brand was that wireless device and switch? Great solution. Yes, she's a cutey for sure.

[@agodwin2011]

Hi I have a building about 125 from my house that has regular flood lights on it and a switch to turn them on in the building . My question is there some way I can turn them on from inside the house maybe with a remote rf control. I just don't know what to to tie into the switch to do that. Thanks

[@AnthonyChew]

THUMBS UP for the matching white color switch screws!!

[@pappabob29]

That device doesn't look like it would be so easy to "bury" in a "normal" light fixture with the little 1/2" deep fixture canopy. Not only that, the fixture strap that was attached to the pipe to hang the fixture and provide the ground source was very loose so the "ground" connection would create lots of arc/resistance heat if a ground situation was ever experienced there. The information provided is good but more detail should be provided about the importance of "good connections" and how it's quite common for "no ground" to be available at lights in old wiring.

[@kaiyugi]

Should put electical tape on that and how is there no battery on the wireless remote?

[@kevinpilcher7636]

I have external lights on a detached garage that I want to be able to turn on from inside our home. Can I use this product to do that or does it only work on individual fixtures?

[@grubburg5201]

Link to product?

[@b_uppy]

Electricity is turned off first. Remember to do that.

[@joseoscal8582]

Fr Fisrt time Johnny sins doesn’t tell us to turn electricity off

[@RyanAdams409]

What items did you buy for the wireless light switch and where did you get them?

[@petestreet7535]

That was anmaaazing. Game changing technology

[@thomasmoye664]

boy does he have some good idears

[@matthewwindisch9449]

Time to invest in re-wiring that house + arc fault breaker’s as well...

[@scottholder4776]

Great idea. Install a new light fixture at a cost of 20k with drywall work. Moron.

[@lawpilot8526]

1/12/2022 Is the signal from the switch to the module line-of-sight?

[@carlstewart365]

It's a great idea and very practical... unless you're replacing one switch in a three-gang switch box. I haven't been able to find a three-gang (or any multi-gang) wall plate with one of the switches blank. Anyone know of a solution?

[@dr.bandito60]

I've read through some reviews of these wireless kits on amazon and a few people have managed to squeeze a wireless switch into multi-gang switch boxes with a few regular switches.The front plate and back plate of the wireless switch comes off, but it's still a bit of a tight squeeze, they said. I don't think you could fit multiple switches in. The reviews I saw were buried someone in here, if you are curious. .. www.amazon.com/Basic-Wireless-Light-Switch-Kit/product-reviews/B005B0AY0K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_hist_5?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&sortBy=recent&filterByStar=five_star&pageNumber=1#R3CYAR25XHW2KU

[@joshuavazquez2980]

Wow! Vin Diesel is a good handyman.

[@cyclops8238]

Joshua Vazquez isn't what he's talking about basically the Handy Switch?

[@mkdsk101]

How could you tell that the one white wire coming from the ceiling was the white since it is old wiring and is not white?

[@LanceThumping]

Probably either the previous fixture was color coded and he trusted it or he tested the wires with an A/C tester or multimeter.

[@WalterKnox]

it seems like if you have a regular light bulb base and just one bulb that they would just make the same thing but just one that you can screw in the socket for simpletons... but for me i will do the wire in because i always like a good electrical project :)

[@TheCabledawg1]

There is no way he "loved" the brushed nickel.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

?

[@Dredpath1]

TheCabledawg1 trying to make her feel good. That’s what a lot of people do to their customers.

[@HummingbirdCyborg]

Lol. That new fixture was pretty ugly.

[@vince6829]

Thanks for sharing.

[@davidphillips2259]

My god he goes on and on and on

[@taurus7228]

Hello. Can i get those installed for different lights in a house? Will the kits not interfere? Worried about a situation where when i press one switch all lights get on😂...thanks

[@THOMASGPII]

I can't find these in the store. Stores have the one that you plug in the light and use are remote.

[@OriginalJetForMe]

Why do you not mention and link to the specific wireless light switch used?

[@conqwiztadore2213]

So uhhh. What's inside the switch and why doesn't it need batteries? Is there like a peitzo mechanism in there

[@CoBrAChiCKeN948]

I have a double gang box in my bathroom. One side has a new gfci I installed and the other side is a switch that controls the bathroom light and fan. I want to separate the fan and put it on a different switch. There is only one romex 14/2 with ground going to the switch so the fan is wired direct to the light. I do not want to tear up my ceiling to run a new wire. Will this work for this application?

[@danielkofman4592]

James, you dont need this, and you dont need to run a new wire. You just pigtail off the hot (black), and place the fan wire onto a Combo Light Switch

[@illestofdemall13]

@@danielkofman4592 he would need to run a separate wire to the fan or light. It's a romex 14-2, meaning the switch leg is daisy chained. If there was 14-3 then the fan and light could be separated from the switch box easily.

[@electricaf365]

@@danielkofman4592 not gonna work

[@mikehinkens4823]

What is the company that makes this device ? And all the functions of a light switch would mean it had a dimmer option ,is there a dimmer option ?

[@teastsman]

Would this work for ceiling fans

[@denisc.1282]

Is there exactly the same thing but with dimmer functionality?

[@gbouc1536]

Why would this get any thumbs down, I don't get it ?

[@darinnetherland3466]

Anyone know what this product name is and if it’s still available? Whenever I do a search all I get back is a bunch of smart switch garbage that just turns an existing switch into a smart switch. Can’t find this product that turns a pull light into a wall switch light.

[@bobbaglien5435]

Please give me the link to be able to buy the ceiling light in this utube video? I cannot find a ceiling light with space at top where I can put this wireless switch inside. Thanks Bob

[@CanadianOptionsTrader]

Can this switch be used to send power to an outlet instead of a light fixture?

[@heroknaderi]

Wow that’s incredible 🤩

[@Mickysains]

Can this be used for pot light as well? I mean the module will be behind drywall. Will the signal work then?

[@dr.bandito60]

Yeah, the range is actually really good on these things, even through walls. The only thing to stop it would be several layers of metal. www.amazon.com/dp/B012H6QZVC

[@DjGabrielEscobar973]

She's like 'Just install the damn light!'...

[@bg147]

I preferred the original fixture to the Home Depot special.

[@justin75jt1]

what brand of remote switch did he use?

[@joanbroughton4139]

How deep does the canopy need to be to accommodate the module?

[@TheHannukahZombie]

What an absolutely stunningly gorgeous woman!

[@alexb5275]

TheHannukahZombie bet she got railed after the cameras went off

[@Atheyst]

yes.

[@sharonnorth2323]

Will this work for outside lights as well?

[@stevesmith-wc2gb]

I love her haircut

[@hpqletdoitchannel6611]

how the switch on the wall communicate with the module on the light? He said there is no battery in the switch??

[@romand123]

Anyone know what you would do if you don’t have constant power (like a normal light fixture setup)?

[@MizJilly]

I need this!!

[@RSCryptoRay]

whats the model used for receiver and the wall switch ? is there a homedepot link or where to purchase from like amazon

[@richardvisco6370]

Where do you buy this switch

[@robertomoreno5526]

So how was the light switch going to pass . The signal to the light without any power.

[@actionhero1983]

Didn't know "idea" had an "r" in the end. "Idear"

[@cup_and_cone]

Please use electrical tape for additional wire support when using braided wire spliced to solid core! The extra 30 seconds is worth the safety/security.

[@chicagowsox212]

thechosendude I tape every nut no matter what. No such thing as over kill when it comes to safety

[@dasboot507]

wavesOfFury I've seen plenty of master electricians, plumbers, and hvac guys do shoddy work. Just because you have a master license doesn't mean you do quality work. Just look how many doctors got their medical license and make horrible mistakes.

[@cup_and_cone]

wavesOfFury - Spoken like someone who's never actually worked a trade.

[@cup_and_cone]

wavesOfFury - Most fixtures these days are made in Asia use a lot of really cheap aluminum-based, multi strand wire. What provides the actual strength in traditional solid core copper wiring isn't the nut, it is the action of twisting the wires together so they cannot be pulled apart. The cheap multi strand wire is very flexible and cannot be twisted together because it wants to unravel, so the only support is coming at the nut... but because its multi strand aluminim wire (compresses, breaks, splays, etc), the connection isn't very secure. Using electrical tape offers support to keep the wires together (aka - 'strain relief', very common in electronic work). It's especially good practice in places of vibration, such as a ceiling fan or outdoor light fixture subjected to wind. There are really bad tradesman...just look at the horror stories of bad contractors and homeowners getting ripped off. There are a couple things I have seen him do on this show that I wouldn't be proud to put my name on.

[@SkilledEddie]

And how can you claim a master tradesman does shoddy work? That would mean you are a tradesman yourself to know what is good and bad.

[@metalmyke1]

How do you know what is hot and cold with those cloth wires?

[@kaipolster-ewing16]

'I love the brushed nickel' (showing off...) lol

[@mikemm03]

What is an Idear ?