Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210

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Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
2021-04-10 18:19:06
Model: HS210  
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Hello, 

 

This post is about a very hacky way of replacing a 4-way (4 wire) switch with an HS210. This is very not recommended so I'm posting it only for educational purposes - Don't do it !

Say you have a light circuit at home that is controlled from 3 separate light switches. This means that the circuit is composed of 2x 3-way light switches + 1x 4-way light switch. Now, you can easily directly replace the 2x 3-way switches with HS210 switches and have full control of the circuit via the app.

See here for details: https://community.tp-link.com/us/home/forum/topic/161800

 

Now, you're left with a 4-way switch that the regular non-smart type and looks out of place. It works, it just looks different. 
It is possible to replace this switch with a smart switch by using:

  • An HS210 switch
  • A 120V AC DPDT relay - I used this:  https://www.amazon.com/itm/dp/B00REFBH88
  • 2x1N4007 diodes - https://www.amazon.com/itm/dp/B07Q6J9TNW
  • Hot glue gun.

 

Basically, the relay will be the actual 4-way switch and the HS210 will control the relay. There is no need to connect the HS210 to your account / app you'll continue to controlling the circuit via the other 2 HS210's on the circuit.

Pro's:

- I can get all my light switches to look the same 

- The entire setup fits in an electrical box


Cons:

- This probably violates electrical code

- The relay tends to get a bit hot (60C)

- The indicator light on the 4-way switch won't actually show status - it will have a random status and will not update when you turn lights on/off via the other 2 TP210's

- Extreme hack


The circuit Looks Like this: https://i.imgur.com/nTjJu8s.png

 

Pic of soldered mess: https://i.imgur.com/YIHSmqf.jpg

 

 

Of course this was glued so that nothing was exposed and then installed.

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Re:Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
2021-07-12 19:48:27

@acvmm 

Yikes...that is pretty extreme. I didn't have to do any of this on my 4-way setup. All I had to do was make sure I put the HS210 in the spot where the line was coming in (so, the switch that's actually connected directly to the breaker), kept the other 3 switches in the circuit as regular "dumb" switches, and they all just work with each other.

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Re:Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
2021-07-14 03:24:47

@acvmm I'm with @mgudites - Sorry to be curt, but really don't see the value in that at all 
In the UK that would be called 'Heath Robinson' :)  

There are dumb switches that are close enough in appearance, especially when the 4-way is going to already be in a different switch box.

e.g, Leviton Decora 5604.2W

 

And you only actually need ONE HS210, not two. 

 

But as long as you had fun innovating and implementing, that is cool :) 

Please note that I do not work for, or have any affiliation with, Kasa TP Link. I am simply an enthusiast who likes helping if I can.
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Re:Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
2021-07-14 03:29:16

@Bethel.8009 Yup I gather that this wasn't a big deal for most people since I couldn't find anyone else complaining about it.
I guess the biggest problem for me isn't necessarily appearance but the behavior on press.

The tp-link are 'click' while all dumb switches are 'toggle'. 

So your muscle memory would be surprised if you mostly use one or the other. 

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Re:Do not try this at home: Replacing a 4 way switch with HS210
2021-07-14 03:37:15

@acvmm Take a look at Shelly Relays which I think will fit your requirement and be more code compliant 

And you can get momentary action switches to change their state rather than toggle 

Please note that I do not work for, or have any affiliation with, Kasa TP Link. I am simply an enthusiast who likes helping if I can.
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