Outside light switching conundrum.

[Mottie]

I have one outside light switch inside my door that switches two wall lamps and one brick lamp on my drive. Recently I changed the two wall lamp bulbs for WiFi bulbs so they can be controlled via Alexa or hive. Obviously, this requires the switch to be permanently on. Only yesterday I noticed that the brick light wasn’t working and thinking back, I can’t remember when it last was. It’s probably just the bulb and I was just going to replace it when I realised that when I leave the switch on, the brick light will be permanently on.

Any idea how I could overcome this so that all lights can be controlled by WiFi/Alexa/Hive - my switch has no neutral so I cannot just fit a WiFi switch.

 

[fluorescence]

Fit a WiFi bulb in the brick light would be the simplest solution. You may have to fit a standard bayonet or Edison screw lamp holder in the fitting & will have to bypass any control gear. Note that in my experience brick lights are notorious for allowing moisture ingress so this would need inspecting & addressing first or else the WiFi lamp with its complex electronics within may not last long.

 

[securespark]

How easy would it be to drop a neutral to the switch?

This can usually (depending on your wiring layout) be done by attaching a 3 core to the existing twin & earth and dragging it though to the ceiling rose or JB.

 

[Mottie]

Thanks but thats just not possible without a lot of destruction. I think I might look around for a different type of surface mount lamp fitting that will cover the brick that can take a WiFi bulb.