I try to set up as much light automation on the UPB net, with no controller interaction, as possible.
My Master Bath setup is pretty complicated, the guest bath is similar but less involved.
As the house was built, the only light switch for the Master Bath main lights was outside on the bedroom wall as you entered the bath. With no UPB, the only way to turn on the lights was to make a loud click in the bedroom (with the standard snap switch that was there).
So I replaced that with an SA 1140. But you still have an audible click when turning them on.
So I replaced a single gang outlet box with a double gang, replaced the outlet and added an SA 240 with a top rocker and 4 buttons for use as a link transmitter.
So now whoever gets up first can go into the bathroom, close the door, and then manipulate the lights without waking the other person sleeping.
The Top rocker top single click sends a link to set the main lights to 40% (easier on the eyes first thing in the morning).
A double top click takes them to 100% (after your eyes adjust).
One of the buttons has the Morning scene i mentioned, the shaower fan comes on and the shower and main bath lights ramp up to 70% after 10 minutes. The controller watches for this link and turns on the wall heater if the outside temp is bleow 60.
The other buttons control the Makeup Vanity, Overhead Lights exclusive of the scene and the fans.
A single bottom click of the top rocker turns off everything, including both closets, fading off. A double click snaps everything off. The Omni looks for this link and turns off the heater. It always sends the heater off command because the heater may have come on by timer, by the light switch, or manually from the thermostat.
The shower light button is an 1140. Sometimes we don't need the main lights. So if you trun on the shower light the exhaust fan comes on. When you turn off the shower light the exhaust fan stays on for an hour. Sometimes I like to shower without tirning the light on, if there is enough light spilling in and my eyes aren't adjusted. if I click the light switch "off", the fan comes on without the light. it actually sends an off command but the light is already off.
The Water Closet room fan is also linked to the shower fan in this manner, so they both are on when the shower is on.
If I only use the Water Closet light, the fan in comes on with the light, but only stays on for 10 minutes after I shut the light off.
If I turn the Water Closet fan on without the light it comes on as you expect. the two switches are next to one another.
With the fan on, if I click the Water Closet light off, the fan stays on for 10 minutes. if I click the Water Closet fan off the fan goes off, along with the shower fan.
So all of that gives me automated control of the things we generally use together, and timed off functionality, but I also have manual control over the individual loads. I like the flexibility.
All of that, with the exception of the heater control, is programmed into the light switches and uses the timer functions resident in the 1140s. The only thing the controller does is watch the switches to update the load statuses and control the heater.
- At the top of the stairs I have a 240 with a scene that turns off all downstairs lights, I have a similar 240 in the downstairs hall that turns off everything upstairs.
- In the mudroom I have a 240 for use as a ink transmitter. The LED on this 240 is tied into the garage lights. If any of the lights are on in the Garage the LED is lit in the on state (I use blue for on and green for off). So I can see at a glance if I left the garage lights on.
- The LED on the 240 in the Master Bedroom that has the security light control is set to monitor the garage lights, garage doors and other doors. So When I go to bed I can verify all the doors are closed, the garage doors are all closed and all the garage lights are all off. The controller sends commands to cloe the garage and turn off the lights when arming, but the LEDs are verification if actually happened. The controller also has some lines in it to send an on command to this UPB unit when any door is open.
- At each entrance is a 240 with an 8 button panel. There are scenes here for turning on all of the exterior security lights. So I can illuminate the entire perimeter from any entry, or from the bedroom.
- I have a "Kitchen Prep" link that turns on the Kichen overhead lights to 80%, the Kitchen Sink lights to 80%, the Under Cabinet lights to 30% (which is full power for these - equivalent of 100%), and the breakfast Nook lights to 80%.
- The "Eat In Nook" link turns off the Kitchen overhead lights, dims the Sink lights to 30%, dims the Undercabinet lights to 10% (30% equivalent) and dims the nook lights to 60%. When the HiFi system is in this will trigger soft back ground music as well.
- The "Dine" link turns off the Kitchen and Nook overhead lights, dims the Sink lights to 30%, dims the Undercabinet lights to 10% (30% equivalent) and brings up the Dining Room Lights to 60%. When the HiFi system is in this will trigger soft back ground music as well.
- The "Evening" link turns off the Kitchen, Kitchen Sink, Dining Room and Nook lights and dims the undercabs to 7% (~20% equivalent), and turns on the Family Room table lamp.
- A "Party" link turns on the exterior lights at full brightness, disables the security light motion sensors, and turns on most of the lights in the down stairs public spaces at a medium level.
- I have a switch in the door jamb of our wine closet that controls the light in there.
- I use the door contacts the entrances. Opening the front door at night before 10pm will ramp up the porch lights to 100% and turn on the Foyer lights. Closing the door sets a 10 minute timer to turn off the Foyer and ramp the porch lights back down.
- Opening the back door at night will turn on the back porch lights and the door lights for the exterior shop and shed. Closing this door turns those lights off after 10 minutes.
- Opening the garage side door at night turns on the outside light and the shop and shed door lights. Closing sets the 10 minute off timer.
In general sit down with a pad of paper and think about how you use lights. What logically gets used together? What behaviors do you want. Think of how you operate in general in any given day. Then try to fit the links to make the desired result as easy as possible.