As is typical, the presence of neutral and ground wires is required. Once configured, user options are limited but largely easy to understand and operate. Opening the app, I noticed there was a firmware update, which I installed, and then turned off the light. Again, I had no trouble with any of this, with only a minor hiccup that took the app a bit of extra time to find my Wi-Fi network. Download the C by GE app and add your Smart Switch. Picture of C by GE C-Start Switch installed.GearBrain. Lastly, a blue nightlight is built into the switch as a ring around the primary power button. Freelance Contributor, C by GE has a good smart home ecosystem, working with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant enabled devices. We tested the C by GE Motion + Dimming smart switch which has a built-in motion sensing, ambient light detection, dimming control and light ring indicator. If you run into any issues, you can always visit the Support section in the app, where there are instructional videos to help you. However, C by GE has new smart home integrations coming that will require a C-Reach Smart Bridge, something to note in particular if you're on Apple HomeKit's ecosystem. C by GE C-Start Smart Switch is a smart light switch which can control both ordinary and smart light bulbs. Read our, This link will take you to the 3-wire version of the C by GE Motion + Dimming at Amazon, [ Further reading: The best LED smart bulbs ], Motion-sensing feature is a nice addition and it works well, Can control other C by GE bulbs even if they aren’t wired to the switch, Motion sensing settings aren’t always intuitive. C by GE smart switch is a well made, smart switch that can work in any connected home today that has the right electrical wiring. This is rather long, especially when compared with other smart switches we have tested that had motion sensors. GE's new smart lights and switches take a shine to Google. There’s just no way around it: This is a very homely device that looks like it was cobbled together from old hospital equipment, not something released in 2019. Motion Sensor + Dimmer Switch Specifications, GE Lighting 48733 Smart Switch Motion Sensing and Dimmer, Wi-Fi, Alexa/Google Assistant Without, Works with HomeKit with Hub, Single-Pole/3-Way Replacement C by GE On/Off Toggle, White, C by GE A19 C-Life and C-Sleep Smart LED Light Bulb Combo by GE Lighting, 2-Pack, Works with Alexa. However, before buying any smart lights, you need to decide where you want the controls of your smart lighting: at the lamp, or light level, at the switch? A bevy of sensors give the C-Start Smart Switch ample utility, but a high price tag ($75 at launch) and questionable design aesthetic will give some pause. There are many choices when it comes to smart home lighting, but for hassle-free operation, you've got to use a smart dimmer switch. GE estimates it will last around 13.7 years if you only use it three hours a day. remove your old switch, connect the wires, secure your smart switch, and flip the power back on. Say that five times fast! Like the GE switch, we tested this switch with the Wink Hub 2 and found them to both perform almost identically. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. This link will take you to the 3-wire version of the C by GE Motion + Dimming at Amazon.) It can control all types of lighting including LEDs. That said, I’m looking for an integration to the C by GE cloud service (there is one, as I log into it, and I can control these toggles over the Internet). Here are my two main requirements for a no neutral smart switch: 1. So this would be a bulb problem, not a switch problem, the switch just returns power back to the bulbs but the bulbs forget they were supposed to be 'off' so they turn on following a power outage. Next, turn the power on and download the C by GE app from either the Google Play (Android) or App Store (iOS). We liked the features, particularly the light ring on the switch, which we felt made it easy to find during the night. Using the C by GE app, you can set schedules, control your lights when away from home and even setup voice controls using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. In fact, the block of electronics on the back of the switch seems a bit smaller than the one on most smart switches, which is incredibly helpful when it comes time to shove everything back into the junction box. The motion sensor (which is on by default) is similarly simple: When the sensor detects movement, it turns on the light (to the last dimness level), and lights remain on for five minutes. Other automations require that you're in Bluetooth range, something to note if you buy these switches. This C by GE start on/off button switch allows you to create schedules to turn lights on and off for hands-free use. In this review, we will take a look at the GE In-wall smart switch dimmer, that allows you to control lighting and other devices wirelessly with an app. From here, configuration is done through the C by GE app, which is the same app used to control C by GE bulbs. It's easy to install, integrates with Google and Amazon, and doesn't require a hub, unlike many smart switches with motion, ambient light sensors and dimmers. But for now, it will take five minutes for your lights to go off once you leave the room and no motion is detected. Turn off the power to the existing switch. Finally, be aware that the design of the switch differs from other smart switches, as it has a more modern look. C by GE has built a versatile smart switch by combining ambient light detection, motion sensors and dimming into a light switch to help control your home's lighting. This was my first smart switch, loving it. Pull the air gap on the bottom of the switch out for 10 seconds or more and push it back in. A smart switch for everybody in the house: the C by GE smart light switch comes with an LED dimmer so you can control your lights through the mobile touch app or voice assistant. While the C by GE C-Start works just fine, the price will need to tick down $10 to $15 to make it truly competitive. There are a few other smart dimmers that work with no neutral, but I didn’t list because they don’t work with LED lights. Awesome tech - no neutral wire required. EDIT - Upon further review, only the C by GE smart bulbs turn back on after a power outage, whether they are controlled by a C by GE switch or stand alone. Updated to provide a link to the 3-wire version of this dimmer that doesn't depend on a neutral wire. Set the brightness level to match your mood or task Helpfully, the setup process also walks you through connecting the switch to Alexa or Google Assistant, if you’re planning on using either of these systems. TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. Our switch was facing a window and the motion sensor picked up motion from the tree outside the window. As well, you can create mood lighting scenes to control multiple devices simultaneously in multiple locations. The company recently introduced 3-wire variants of these products that don't depend on the presence of a neutral wire in the electrical box in which they're to be installed. Either rooms or scenes can be automated based on schedules, including tying actions to sunrise or sunset. The C by GE Wire-Free Dimmer + Color Control Smart Switch has a number of cool features. Remove old light switch but turn power off first.GearBrain. Turn ordinary bulbs into smart bulbs with the C by GE start on/off button switch. If there are only two wires, your home is likely older and won't be able to use the switch without updating your wiring. All told I was very happy with operation of the C-Start Smart Switch, but less thrilled about its hacked-together appearance, which is one reason I chose to install it in my basement rather than my living room. All provide one-touch control for an entire home if paired with C by GE bulbs and/or plugs as long as there's a neutral wire and a Wi-Fi connection in your home. Smart lights are one the easiest ways to start building a smart home — they can save money and are simple to launch. Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. GE offers a small booklet of instructions for those doing a simple (single-pole) installation. It’s compatible with up to 150W LED or CFL bulbs. Installation is just like all other smart switches. Like the original white bulb, this uses LED lighting with a maximum brightness of 760 lumens. Also check the firmware to make sure you are running the most current version. You can also control lights from outside of a room. GE C-Start Smart Switch The C by GE is a powerful amalgam of minimalist design and easy performance. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket. Add a new location in the app by going to Settings - > Locations - > + , then, delete the old Location. If everything is compatible, installation is rather simple: Some other things to note? Meet the C by GE app—rebuilt for the speed of life. ), Switch Function: On/Off/Dimming/Motion and Ambient Light Sensing, Power Capacity: Max 450W incandescent/halogen, Minimum Requirements: Wi-Fi connection and electrical box with neutral/ground/lead/load wires. More dire and unbiased product reviews from our users response schedule in the app and reset it by down... 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