Help me pick light switches

raymondh

Member
We sold our house that was completely X10 decora switches controlled by homeseer a few years ago and after moving around a few times, my family and I have just purchased a new home that we plan on living in for the foreseeable future.

My wife enjoyed the lighting controls (motion, dim on motion at night, etc.) but hated (HATED) the decora switches (that and the darn things failed a lot).

I now have a bunch of ELK-M1 equipment that just arrived on my doorstep for security and I'm starting to also think about automation again.

My wife is okay with it as long as she can still have the normal toggle swiches for lights. Do I have any options???
 
Well, one switch that comes to line is the I-Line switch. Very different, and stylish, looking switch, and the Elk can control it directly. The only downside is that it is a hard-wired system, so you may not be able to use it in an existing home. It only takes one Cat5 cable to each switch though, so if you have attic access, it may be doable.

http://www.edt.biz/2004/Products/Load.html
 
Well, one switch that comes to line is the I-Line switch. Very different, and stylish, looking switch, and the Elk can control it directly. The only downside is that it is a hard-wired system, so you may not be able to use it in an existing home. It only takes one Cat5 cable to each switch though, so if you have attic access, it may be doable.

http://www.edt.biz/2004/Products/Load.html

That I-Line sure looks interesting, how do you buy it?
 
Well, one switch that comes to line is the I-Line switch. Very different, and stylish, looking switch, and the Elk can control it directly. The only downside is that it is a hard-wired system, so you may not be able to use it in an existing home. It only takes one Cat5 cable to each switch though, so if you have attic access, it may be doable.

http://www.edt.biz/2004/Products/Load.html

That I-Line sure looks interesting, how do you buy it?

The I-Line switches can be purchased direct from the manufacturer or through a distributor. You will typically not find them for sale online.

Yes, they still "fit" in a decora opening, but they are not the same looking plain paddle as the standard decora switches. If you are going for a traditional look, the ToggleLinks do offer that. I would caution you though on selecting a switch based on looks. I know that there are many here who like Insteon just fine, but there are many more who do not. I'm not saying that they are bad, but there will never be as reliable as a hard-wired system.
 
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