3 way Dimmer switch?

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3 way Dimmer switch?

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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-12 23:18:59

@echo954 

Based on some quick research, it seems the KS230 KIT is actually in process, as it just got "registered" on May 7th with the FCC. See link for all related documents, testing info, manual etc... (Link not allowed in post, so just google "2AXJ4KS230" which is the fcc id, and click the first link from fccid (dot) io)

 

File:
KS230_KIT_Manual.pdfDownload
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#217
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-13 00:29:23

@kishmich - great find! 

The manual is a bit disappointing as it still does not give any clues as to whether it will be a single unit install or a require pair (as the image shows) 
Although I'm beginning to think since it is referred to as a 'kit' that it will be two switches (makes makes sense if you want to be able to have manual control at both locations) - however will undoubtedly make it doubly expensive!  The 'other' (TL) brand only requires one and personally I would have been happy with that situation, I mean it's a SMART switch - why do you need MANUAL control at both locations? We'll find out soon I guess 

I think its frustrating to many users that there is no actual physical installation instruction in ANY of the manuals and just told to follow the on-screen guide in the app. 

 

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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#218
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-13 00:56:20 - last edited 2021-05-13 01:16:14

@Bethel.8009 

The FCC did show label information, and that shows a clear view of the back of the unit, so you can get a better idea of the connections. This is not a repackaged HS210 or anything like that. It has 5 wire connections. Line, Ground, Neutral, and Traveler 1 and Traveler 2 labeled seperately. Interested how this will all need to be wired up, and what options, if any, there might be to combine this with a standard 2 or 3 way switch, or with a HS210 non dimmer switch. It certainly looks like it will have the connections to possibly set up in a variety of ways! It is using the travelers for something, so it appears to not rely on the WIFI to synch the 2 switches. Exciting stuff!

 

I did just notice that the label says "Main" and there is a difference between the 2 switches on the userguide cover with the wifi reset buttons at the base of the switch only showing on one of the units, presumably the "main" switch. So I'm thinking the 2nd switch may act as a slave and not a second of the same switch a la the HS210 kit that could be split into 2 seperate locations.

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#219
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-13 01:22:03 - last edited 2021-05-13 01:24:25

 

BaumSquad wrote

 It has 5 wire connections. Line, Ground, Neutral, and Traveler 1 and Traveler 2 labeled seperately. 

@BaumSquad Well of course - that was a given - it's a 3-way switch! My question remains as to whether it goes at line or load end but more importantly if it REQUIRES two with one at EACH end. 

I don't see any possible reason why you would want to use it with an HS210 - that would not add any more capability than a 'dumb' switch and the circuit would already be being Smart Controlled by the other (the exact same reason as why you only need one HS210 in a non-dimming 3-way application)

Nor would it be a single pole switch as that would cut the circuit completely and would need to be flipped back manually in order to restore. 

So I think it comes down to will there be one or two required. 

Even if it says to install two, I will definitely be doing some experimenting to see if/how it will operate with one and if/what the limitations might be if it does

 

Oops - just noticed your post-script edit - that would be most unfortunate. Unless they are only marginally more expensive, I think that would make it prohibitive for me. 

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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#220
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-21 18:22:06

 

 

So when is this product actually coming out?  It has read "Coming Soon" for quite sometime?

 

https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/smart-switch/ks230-kit/

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#221
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-24 12:52:51

@Sam____ 

 

 

agreed. Would like to know this also - patiently awaiting one for my kitchen reno. 
 

anyone have any updates ?

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#222
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-25 23:41:59

@BaumSquad 

 

If you pay closer attention to the picture on the product page, you will find only the main switch have WiFi symbol, Reset/Pair buttons, and Light Level indicator lights. The slave has none of them. So I bet it's just a dumb switch that can be replaced by any 3-way switch.

 

It's a pity that slave switch can't even show light level. But it does make sense because the only function that could use double display is light level, and it wouldn't make sense to build a WiFi or some other intercom module just for this fuction...

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#223
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-26 00:14:33

@Bethel.8009 

"Even if it says to install two, I will definitely be doing some experimenting to see if/how it will operate with one and if/what the limitations might be if it does"

 

I have one of the TPLink smart 3-way (non-dimming) switches in my garage.  I have a standard 3-way switch at the other end of the circuit, so this definitely works.


However, I think I have noticed some limitations.  The biggest one is that I have a timer on the smart switch to turn off automatically after being on for 30 minutes.   If i turn on the light at the 'dumb' switch, the smart switch doesn't recognize it's on and turn it off.  I haven't specifically tried this to confirm, but I think this has been my observation so far.  I may have to run a specific test to confirm.

 

I also don't know if the app would correctly reflect the actual state of the light if you control it from the dumb switch.  With the way my garage is wired, I had to put the dumb switch by the door from garage to the house and the smart switch by the door from garage to outside.  If the garage light is off and I turn it on at the dumb switch, does the smart switch recognize it's on and reflect the correct status accordingly in the app?  Another test I can run.

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#224
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-26 07:03:54 - last edited 2021-05-26 07:07:31

 

MizzouMan2k wrote

 

1) I have one of the TPLink smart 3-way (non-dimming) switches in my garage.  I have a standard 3-way switch at the other end of the circuit, so this definitely works.


2) However, I think I have noticed some limitations.  The biggest one is that I have a timer on the smart switch to turn off automatically after being on for 30 minutes.   If i turn on the light at the 'dumb' switch, the smart switch doesn't recognize it's on and turn it off.  I haven't specifically tried this to confirm, but I think this has been my observation so far.  I may have to run a specific test to confirm.

 

3) I also don't know if the app would correctly reflect the actual state of the light if you control it from the dumb switch.  With the way my garage is wired, I had to put the dumb switch by the door from garage to the house and the smart switch by the door from garage to outside.  If the garage light is off and I turn it on at the dumb switch, does the smart switch recognize it's on and reflect the correct status accordingly in the app?  Another test I can run.

@MizzouMan2k 

1) Yes, this is the standard way to connect the HS210 

 

2) There are no 'on or off' positions with 3-way switches - each will invert the current state of the actual lamp whether that be on or off

These switches - whether smart or dumb - are changeover - so what might have turned on the light in one position does not necessarily mean that is always the on position as if you lets say leave the dumb switch alone and toggle the smart switch, that dumb position (where it was previously on) in now the 'off' position; 

Your timer turns on the lamp (when it was previously 'off') - regardless of that timer function on the Smart Switch, if you toggle the dumb switch, the Light WILL turn off. 

Run your test and it should prove accordingly. 

 

3) The LED on the Smart Switch will always reflect whether the actual lamp is on or off - when it does not detect any current flow (i.e. when the lamp is off) then the LED (and the App) will always show the correct state of whether the lamp is on or off. 

So the latter part of your question - yes, the app will show the light is on. (and you will also see it on the physical LED on the Smart Switch) 

It's important to understand that the LED - and App status - have nothing to do with which traveler is selected by the internal relay (i.e. relay energized or not) and only whether current is actually flowing to the load. 

So let's say the internal relay is turned on to couple the Common (Line) to the T2 Traveler - then (if light was previously off, that MUST mean that the T1 was the active line and that the dumb switch must already be linking the Load to the T2); so when the T2 becomes active from the Smart Switch, the Light comes on.

When the light comes on, the app reflects this status and now the LED on the Smart Switch turns off (LED is inverse of the actual light state) 

Now - T2 is still active right? Toggle the dumb switch - again, T2 status out of the Smart switch does NOT change i.e. still active; However by toggling the dumb switch, it now breaks the connection of the load with T2 and flips the switch to connect the Load to T1 - so the light goes OFF. Again, the relay state of the Smart Switch did NOT change, however because no current is flowing to the load, it reflects in the app that the Light is Off AND turns ON the LED on the Smart Switch. 

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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#225
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Re:3 way Dimmer switch?
2021-05-28 18:49:42

Bump to anyone who has an update on the release date?

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#226
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