Planning lighting control

[DrunkenLizard]

I'm trying to plan out what I'm going to need for lighting controls, I'm thinking about going with Insteon.

The bad news is the original owners decided they wanted many 3-way switches. In some cases I have 4-5 switches controlling a single light fixture. In one case I have four switches controlling all controlling the same four outlets for lamps.

I have a total of 47 light switches in the house, seems a little overkill for a three bedroom house since the basement isn't finished off yet. I plan on adding a couple closets, bathroom, bar, and HT down there.

Does anyone have any know of anyways to simplify this, or have a more cost effective solution?
Can I eliminate some of these multiple switches, or is that going to leave to much abandon wiring in the walls and cause future nightmares?

 

[sloop]

if you make the mistake of going with insteon, you can use some of the 3 way switches (that you don't need) to control other devices (such as lamps) - maybe add it to a remote light (garage) so you could see if its on

i suppose other product lines have the same capability

 

[MikeB]

Does anyone have any know of anyways to simplify this, or have a more cost effective solution?
Can I eliminate some of these multiple switches, or is that going to leave to much abandon wiring in the walls and cause future nightmares?

If there are locations where you don't need a switch, you could certainly cap the wires off and install a blank plate instead (as long as the LOAD isn't at that location).

Would it cause future nightmares? Maybe, but consider taking some white electrical tape and label anything that you think might be confusing down the road.

 

[english_1969]

Does anyone have any know of anyways to simplify this, or have a more cost effective solution?
Can I eliminate some of these multiple switches, or is that going to leave to much abandon wiring in the walls and cause future nightmares?

If there are locations where you don't need a switch, you could certainly cap the wires off and install a blank plate instead (as long as the LOAD isn't at that location).

Would it cause future nightmares? Maybe, but consider taking some white electrical tape and label anything that you think might be confusing down the road.

One thing i've done is use keypads in lieu of switches to minimize switch clutter, where possible. For example, at my side entry I had 3 switches - garage, side coach and entry hall. The garage and entry hall were three way switches. Since only 1 of these was a load switch (the coach light), I was able to wire that to the keypad and then use 2 of the keypad button as to simulate the "3 way" of the garage and entry hall. Obviously, this will vary depending on where the load is.

Just a thought....

W

 

[Digger]

While it is great to use automated switches to minimize the number of devices etc you have to keep in mind the next owners of the house. Would they want automated switches? If not they would be in a bind if the wiring and switchboxes were not where they need them.

Yesterday I put in a 4 gang box where I could have gotten away with a 2 gang with Insteon. I did that because if I was to do it with conventional switches I would need 4 devices (Laundry Lights, Workshop Lights, Laundry Exhaust Fan, Den Ceiling Fan). I used 2 switchlinc relays (that show as keypadlinc dimmers in ISY but thats another story), 1 switchlinc dimmer, and one Keypadlinc relay (so I can control adjacent room lighting as well). The automated switches will give me lots of flexibility but I could replace them with conventional with the wiring and box as is and still control what needs to be controlled.

You can always cap off and label the wiring and even make notes on the inside of the coverplate or electrical box for future reference. It could save you a lot of time later.

 

[DrunkenLizard]

Thanks everyone, I'll probably end up abandoning a few of the multiple switches if possible. I can stand in some areas and reach three switches for the same light with out moving. I think it would be a good idea to have an electrician come in to help with those, I can change out a light switch on my own but beyond that makes me somewhat warry.