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UK Light Wiring with Shelly 1

Intro

This is a simple guide on how to automate UK lights with a Shelly 1 by installing the shelly 1 relay into the ceiling pendant which has both permanent live, neutral and a switched live back from the wall switch.

These steps are from my own experience making my lighting "smart" but also user friendly (it works via a wall switch!). This simple guide will go through replacing an a normal ceiling pendant with one with room for a Shelly 1. If you have a ceiling light with a bigger base it's even easier.

Warning Electrical regulations must be followed by law. If you are not a competent person under the regulations do not attempt electrical work. https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/electrical_safety.htm

Wiring Diagram

This diagram has been taken from here and modified to include the Shelly 1. Wiring Diagram

Parts Required

Steps

  1. First pre-wire as much as the Shelly as you can. 2. You want a two lengths of brown wire around 6cm which will be the LIVE in and the SW in (Switched live back from the light switch), a length of blue wire around 6cm for the NEUTRAL in. 3. Cut a small piece of wire to connect LIVE to I (Input). This is the power feed shelly will supply to your light. 4. It should now look something like the following, only O (output which goes to the lamp live) will be un-populated. Pre-Wired Shelly
  2. Install the shelly into the base of the new lamp and connect up the lamp wires. 3. Rember to reduce the length of the lamp wire so the pendant is at the correct height. 4. The red/brown live of the lamp should connect to the O(utput) of the Shelly 1. The shelly will only supply power when you want the light on! 5. The neutral of the lamp can be fitted into the N terminal of the shelly if there is room, otherwise you can put it into the neutral connector block you will be installing.
  3. It should look something like this: Shelly Connected in Base
  4. Time to replace the ceiling pendant. If the wiring seems strange and you don't understand it, do not go ahead and please consulate a qualified electrician.
  5. Turn off the lighting circuit you are modifying and ensure that nothing is live (ensure the light does not work and use a voltage detector around the base of the light)
  6. Once you have removed the lamp shade, bulb and unscrewed the pendant it should look like this: enter image description here
  7. Please make sure you know what wires are which, this is very important!
  8. In this instance it's a very basic ceiling rose as the room only has one light. There are two neutral wires, three permanent live wires and a switched live wire (a red sleeved neutral wire which returns from the wall switch).
  9. The ceiling rose has a built in connector block, in order to fit the shelly we are replacing this with a simply bracket which the ceiling rose cover fits to and using our own connector blocks instead of one built into a base.
  10. You need to disconnect the lamp, which connects to the switched live block and the neutral block. It should now look something like this: Ceiling Rose without Lamp
  11. Remove the base keeping the wires together, you will need 4 connector blocks (Earth, Live, Neutral, Switched Live). For each block you need support for N + 1 wires. For example, Live in the above example will need a 4 way, the switched live will need a 2 way.
  12. Install the bracket for the new ceiling rose it should look something like this (I had not put on the earth connector at this point) Bracket Installed
  13. Time to connect the lamp up. 14. Connect up the N(eutral) from the Shelly (which includes the lamp) to the Neutral connector block. 15. Connect the L(ive) from the permanent live block to the Shelly. 16. Connect the SW(switched live) input from shelly to the switched live (sleeved neutral) connector block. 17. Connect the earths of all wires AND the metal ceiling rose together.
  14. It should now look something like this, this can be very tricky as there's not much space! It's much easier with lights with large bases. Make sure all connections are secure! Wired Up Hanging
  15. Secure the cover to the bracket on the ceiling, being careful with the cables and ensuring they have room and that the cables are secure. It should now look something like this: Dangling Lamp
  16. Done! Install a bulb and time to turn the power back on.
  17. Use the Shelly 1 App to add the Light to your network, also configure the button action! I have mine set to "Edge Switch" so the wall switch will change the status of the light no matter the position.

Before and After pictures Before enter image description here

Home Assistant Integration

I use the shelly MQTT support to monitor and control the lights in real-time (no waiting on a HTTP poll). WARNING using MQTT will disable cloud functionality through the shelly app.

  1. Get the IP address of the Shelly through the Shelly App (Settings -> Device Information). Also make a note of your Device ID.
  2. In a web browser go to the IP address of the Shelly, under the "Internet Security" tab there is an "ADVANCED - DEVELOPER SETTINGS" toggle. Tick the "Enable action execution via MQTT" 3. Enter your MQTT server IP and port 4. Tick "Retain" this ensures that home assistant always knows the correct state.
  3. Hit Save!
  4. In your home-assistant configuration.yml put the following
    light:
	  - platform: mqtt
	    name: Some Light
	    command_topic: "shellies/shelly1-<DEVICEID>/relay/0/command"
	    state_topic: "shellies/shelly1-<DEVICEID>/relay/0"
	    payload_on: "on"
	    payload_off: "off"
  1. This is making the assumption that you already have your MQTT server configured. I personally use a separate MQTT instance instead of the built-in one as I have a lot of devices using MQTT.
  2. Done! restart home assistant and you should be away.
@lordneon
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Would the same apply to Dimmer2? My Dimmer is flickering a lot, and I would like to check if the same would apply with N connected...

In regards to what?

Having a neutral connected for the dimmer would allow the shelly to complete it's circuit without going through the bulb which will be better. But it could just be the bulb which is the issue.

@Calzor-Suzay
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Got to say this thread managed to help me install a Dimmer 2 into a new ceiling rose.
Took out the original rose, replaced it with a wider one along with wago connectors, Minigrid click mode momentary wall switches and hey presto Dimmable light with no drilling wall sockets out, HA integrated via MQTT.

Prior to this I was looking at putting the dimmers in the wall, having to dig out patress boxes, smart bulbs and leaving the switch on etc etc. Sorted, should of done this ages ago.

@Davidbastin
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Can anyone help or point me to the right direction. Want to fit a Shelly1 into a wall switch, space is good. The wiring system is simple but I can only find more complicated explanations. Many thanks.
IMG_2892
IMG_2893
IMG_2894

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Sep 12, 2021

Can anyone help or point me to the right direction. Want to fit a Shelly1 into a wall switch, space is good. The wiring system is simple but I can only find more complicated explanations. Many thanks.

Check with a multimeter to be sure.

Assuming the top of the switch is the perm live loop and the bottom is switched live back to the light.

Connect shelly (N)eutral to the block of Neutrals (once you checked they are)
Put a connection block / wago in for the perm live, you will want at least 4 spots.

  • Connect the two perm live wires into this block
  • Connect one wire to the Shelly (L)ive input
  • Connect one wire to the light switch
  • Connect one wire to the (I)nput of the shelly OR put a small link from the (L)ive to the (I)nput as I did in my guide.

The switched live which was going to the light switch needs to go to the (O)utput on the shelly.

Finally, connect the remaining switch terminal to the (SW)itch input on the shelly. Remember, the switch is now an input to the shelly and no longer powers the light directly.

Good luck fitting it in! I'm renovating a house at the moment and I am install 47mm back boxes for shellies to make my life a lot easier.

https://imgur.com/a/MMqvox9 I made a terrible paint diagram if it helps.

@Davidbastin
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Hi. Great. So if the switch no longer powers the light would the ceiling mounting be a better option?

@lordneon
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Hi. Great. So if the switch no longer powers the light would the ceiling mounting be a better option?

The switch is an input to the shelly. So it still works like a normal light switch, you can just choose how it works in the shelly app. I personally have it on edge mode, so whenever you switch the switch it will turn the light on if it's off and off if it's on.

It's exactly the same as the ceiling rose method. If you look at the first picture you can see the switch input goes to the (SW) input on the shelly.

@Davidbastin
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Many thanks for the help

@Alangers21
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Alangers21 commented Oct 31, 2021

Hi All. Have a Hall light that is controlled by about 5 (🙈) switches. Can't even think where a shelly1 should go so thought I'd put it at the ceiling light. Checked it today and can only see earth live and netual. I don't see any switch wire. See the pic attached. Any advice welcome? Have installed a few Shelly1 and 2.4s around the house in the past few months and this is the first one that has been a challange also the first thst is on more that a 1way switch.
IMG_20211031_164059
IMG_20211031_164040

I guess there is a junction box set up somewhere but have no idea were. It's possibly in the ceiling but can't defend pulling it down for a shelly 😂. All the switches have neutrals and space for shelly but doubt I can put it at the switch when there's so many switches to the light.

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Nov 1, 2021 via email

@Davidbastin
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Davidbastin commented Dec 10, 2021 via email

@Captain0Kangaroo
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I'm looking to add a Shelly 1 into this switch. It's a garage light switch (fused) with another switch at the other end of the garage.

Any ideas how i'd wire this up?
274533159_10159647978603548_2406614357737847988_n

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Mar 17, 2022

I'm looking to add a Shelly 1 into this switch. It's a garage light switch (fused) with another switch at the other end of the garage.

Any ideas how i'd wire this up? 274533159_10159647978603548_2406614357737847988_n

Assuming standard fused switch:
image

Identify the load side, this is the side going to your light. But check to see what else is on the circuit, as you will be switching it all on and off with the shelly.

You could just connect the shely inline on the load side.

Moving the existing "load" live out to the (O)utput on the shelly.
Add a new cable and connect the "load" live out to the (L)ive in on the shelly and the (I)nput.
Add an extra cable and connect the "load" neutral to the to the shelly (N)eutral.

Job done. The wall light switch wont work of course(you just need to leave it "on"), you would have to put it in a different place to have the switch work as normal.

@zilpe
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zilpe commented Aug 31, 2022

Hi @lordneon, thank you so much for this. I have a question though.

I saw what you said here:

You could still connect it, but you would have to leave your lightswitch on all the time. This sort of defeats the the main advantage of having a shelly over a smart bulb.

However, in this video, he managed to make the light switch and also the cloud controls work by essentially always powering the light, but using the light switch as a trigger to turn the light on and off via a MQTT call using Home Assistant. Would this be possible or am I misunderstanding? How would the layout differ?

Thanks again!

@lordneon
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Hi @lordneon, thank you so much for this. I have a question though.

I saw what you said here:

You could still connect it, but you would have to leave your lightswitch on all the time. This sort of defeats the the main advantage of having a shelly over a smart bulb.

However, in this video, he managed to make the light switch and also the cloud controls work by essentially always powering the light, but using the light switch as a trigger to turn the light on and off via a MQTT call using Home Assistant. Would this be possible or am I misunderstanding? How would the layout differ?

Thanks again!

I suspect he has a neutral in the light switch, unless I missed it he basically just said go to the shelly youtube channel for instructions on how to wire it up.

My comment was made in relation to a ceiling rose install which didnt have permanent live only switched live. If you have a switch live then the device is only going to get power when the switch is on.

Not sure I understand your question. Once a shelly is installed and working it can be used to trigger all sorts with home assistant. Nothing stopping you from using a light switch in one room to turn on a light on the otherside of the house.

@Iceman330
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Hi, great article which has persuaded me to get a Shelly.

I currently have kitchen lights which are 12v so have a transformer which is plugged into a mains socket.

And there is a light switch which controls this mains socket.

I want to install the Shelly at this socket .

The wires going to the socket is a Switched Live and a neutral. I assume the Shelly won't work as it needs a permanent live?

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Nov 10, 2022 via email

@Iceman330
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There is a neutral in the switch but it's impossible to fit the Shelly behind the switch due to space.

Which is why I was hoping to install it on the main socket side.

Because of not having a permanent live at the plug socket, the Shelly might not work.

But next to the plug socket I have a proper mains wall socket. Can I not take a permanent live from here?

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Nov 10, 2022 via email

@Iceman330
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Unfortunately fitting a larger back box is not an option.

I assume it's on a different circuit as the kitchen lights is on the lighting circuit and the mains socket is on the ground floor socket circuit.

But why does this matter? Because I was planning on getting a permanent live from this other socket to feed the Shelly. And also use this permanent live to feed my original socket (that is plugged into my kitchen lights).

Does that make sense?

@lordneon
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Unfortunately fitting a larger back box is not an option.

I assume it's on a different circuit as the kitchen lights is on the lighting circuit and the mains socket is on the ground floor socket circuit.

But why does this matter? Because I was planning on getting a permanent live from this other socket to feed the Shelly. And also use this permanent live to feed my original socket (that is plugged into my kitchen lights).

Does that make sense?

The tricky part is your light switch input. If you take that out of the equation, yes you can just just have a plug with a shelly inline which controls the lights. Easy.

image
If you look at the wiring diagram above. The switch input must be on the same circuit as the power for the shelly.

You do not want to bridge two circuits in any circumstance.

@Iceman330
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Ok thanks.

Just another question, you had an earlier post where you described on the wire connections when fitting to a light switch which has a neutral.

I'm sure it was there a couple of days ago, have you deleted that post? Any chance of it back as I found it very useful.

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Nov 11, 2022 via email

@jpankh
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jpankh commented Nov 22, 2023

Hi. Apologies if this is the wrong place for this question. Any idea how I should add Shelly to my WC switch? Also, there is an extractor fan which comes on when I turn there light on and the extractor has an isolation switch.

1000023057

@markbajaj
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markbajaj commented Nov 27, 2023

Thanks! Was apprehensive adding mine to my Bathroom 12v spots, but with your instructions it was really straight forward.

Easy to add in the loft. Normally I would get in an electrician, but your walkthrough was perfect.

@lordneon
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Hi. Apologies if this is the wrong place for this question. Any idea how I should add Shelly to my WC switch? Also, there is an extractor fan which comes on when I turn there light on and the extractor has an isolation switch.

1000023057

Assuming blue is neutral and com is permanent live (please check).
All you got to do is identify which is the wire going to the light. Remove this from L1 and put this into the Output of the shelly. Leave rest as they are.
Put an extra cable from L1 to the switch input. Connect shelly as normal. (Live to L, Neutral to N, Live to Input )

@lawiltshire
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Hello,

sorry if this is a stupid question. I have a similar setup as @jpankh

How would I wire this? And what wires do I leave on the “dumb” switch

thank you
image

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Aug 5, 2024

Hello,

sorry if this is a stupid question. I have a similar setup as @jpankh

How would I wire this? And what wires do I leave on the “dumb” switch

thank you image

In your light switch it looks like you have

3 wires in COM, which should be perm live.
2 wires in L1, which should be switched live
4 wires connected together which should be neutral.

You can confirm with a multi meter, rest is as normal:

Power the shelly with the perm live and neutral.
Connect one side of the light switch to perm live, and the other to the SW input of the shelly. So when the light switch is turned on the shelly gets power on the SW input.
Connect the (I)nput of the shelly to the perm live.
Connect the output of the shelly to the switched live cables.

You will have to use some connection blocks as you have a lot of cables on the go, it would be worth looking at the shelly mini so you have a bit of extra space to play with.

@lawiltshire
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Thank you! Appreciated.

move tried wiring another switch as pictured. It allows me to control by the app but won’t let me control by the switch. I’ve followed the instructions (as far as I can tell) so not sure what I’ve done wrong.
image

@lordneon
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lordneon commented Aug 6, 2024

Thank you! Appreciated.

move tried wiring another switch as pictured. It allows me to control by the app but won’t let me control by the switch. I’ve followed the instructions (as far as I can tell) so not sure what I’ve done wrong. image

Hmmm, that all looks fine, It might well be because it's a dimmer switch rather than a normal light switch. Try swapping the light switch with a normal one?

In my house I've got my dimmer lights on normal light switches, controlled by a shelly dimmer 2. I just control the light levels via the shelly / automations.

@lawiltshire
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lawiltshire commented Aug 6, 2024 via email

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