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Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from Smart Switch(es) • Hubitat
Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from Smart Switch(es) • Hubitat

This article will explain how to control your smart bulb(s) from your smart switch(es) using your compatible Hubitat hub.

Eric Hines avatar
Written by Eric Hines
Updated over a year ago

DISCLAIMER: You may notice there are a lot of over-used keywords or phrases as well as English that seems a little off. This is because these articles are used to feed our AI Robot (Ira) and she needs the data to be structured in a certain way.

In this article, you will learn how to control your smart bulb(s) from your Red or Blue Series Inovelli switch(es). Smart bulbs require full power to them at all time, so we will potentially be utilizing Smart Bulb Mode on your Inovelli switch plus the combination of multi-tap scene control, Zigbee Bindings and Z-Wave Associations using the Hubitat platform.

Please scroll down to the section that best matches your setup. However, before you do, please read through the various methods of controlling smart bulbs to see which one you'd prefer to setup.

Methods to Control Smart Bulbs

There are a few different methods that you can use to control your smart bulbs using your Red or Blue Inovelli Smart Switch and they are as follows:

  • Zigbee Bindings

  • Z-Wave Associations

  • Multi-Tap Scene Control

Zigbee Bindings - Blue Series

Zigbee Bindings are used when you have two or more Zigbee devices such as a Blue Series Inovelli switch and a compatible Zigbee bulb (such as Philips Hue). The benefits of using Zigbee Bindings is that your switch(es) can directly communicate with your Zigbee bulbs, bypassing your Hubitat hub. This is beneficial because if your hub goes down, your smart switch(es) will still control your smart bulb(s) and since the hub is bypassed, the speed is unmatched, almost mimicking a traditional light switch and bulb. In addition, you will have full control of dimming on the smart bulb.

Here is an example of Zigbee Bindings using a Blue Series Inovelli switch and Philips Hue bulbs:

NET: Use this method if you have two or more Zigbee devices

Z-Wave Associations - Red Series

Z-Wave Associations are used when you have two or more Z-Wave devices such as a Red Series Inovelli switch and a compatible Z-Wave bulb. The benefits of using Z-Wave Associations is that your switch(es) can directly communicate with your Z-Wave bulbs, bypassing your Hubitat hub. This is beneficial because if your hub goes down, your smart switch(es) will still control your smart bulb(s) and since the hub is bypassed, the speed is unmatched, almost mimicking a traditional light switch and bulb. In addition, you will have full control of dimming on the smart bulb.

NET: Use this method if you have two or more Z-Wave devices

Multi-Tap Scene Control

Multi-Tap Scene Control utilizes virtual buttons inside the switch to turn on and off your smart bulbs. For example, your Red or Blue Series switches have 21 different button combinations that are built into the firmware. Seven (7) on the up paddle (tap 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, Hold, Release), seven (7) on the down paddle (tap 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, Hold, Release), and seven on the configuration/favorites button (tap 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, Hold, Release).

When it comes to controlling a smart bulb, you would setup your switch to work like a normal, dumb switch by associating a tap up 1x to turn the bulb on, and a tap down 1x to turn the bulb off. Then you can also utilize the other virtual buttons to change the dim level, color, etc. The only downside of this method is that if your hub goes down, your multi-taps will not work.

NET: Use this method if you have a mix of protocols (ie: Zigbee switch + WiFi bulb, Z-Wave switch + Zigbee bulb, etc)

Zigbee Bindings for Smart Bulb Control

1x Smart Bulb Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a Zigbee smart bulb that is connected to the load of your Zigbee smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulb, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulb always has power to it, then use Zigbee Bindings to turn on, off and dim the bulb.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Blue Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, go to the following link and click on the dropdown: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8467018-setting-up-zigbee-bindings-hubitat#h_55d02c1fe6

2+ Smart Bulbs Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have multiple smart bulbs that are connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulbs, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulbs always has power to them, then use a combination of multi-taps to turn on and off the bulbs.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Blue Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, go to the following link and click on the dropdown: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8467018-setting-up-zigbee-bindings-hubitat#h_152b774ec1

1x Smart Bulb Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is not connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulb is not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulb is on and no one shuts off the lamp (or fixture). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulb using your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Follow the instructions located here: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8467018-setting-up-zigbee-bindings-hubitat#h_55d02c1fe6

2+ Smart Bulbs Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is not connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulbs are not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulbs are on and no one shuts off the lamps (or fixtures). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulbs using your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Follow the instructions located here: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8467018-setting-up-zigbee-bindings-hubitat#h_152b774ec1

Z-Wave Associations for Smart Bulb Control

1x Smart Bulb Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a Z-Wave smart bulb that is connected to the load of your Zigbee smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulb, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulb always has power to it, then use Z-Wave Associations to turn on, off and dim the bulb.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Red Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, go to the following link and click on the dropdown: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8422750-setting-up-z-wave-associations-hubitat

2+ Smart Bulbs Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have multiple smart bulbs that are connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulbs, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulbs always has power to them, then use a combination of multi-taps to turn on and off the bulbs.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Red Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, go to the following link and click on the dropdown: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8422750-setting-up-z-wave-associations-hubitat (just make sure to add all your smart bulbs instead of just one as shown in the tutorial)

1x Smart Bulb Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is not connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulb is not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulb is on and no one shuts off the lamp (or fixture). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulb using your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Follow the instructions located here: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8422750-setting-up-z-wave-associations-hubitat

2+ Smart Bulbs Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is not connected to the load of your smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulbs are not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulbs are on and no one shuts off the lamps (or fixtures). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulbs using your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Follow the instructions located here: https://help.inovelli.com/en/articles/8422750-setting-up-z-wave-associations-hubitat (just make sure to add all your smart bulbs instead of just one as shown in the tutorial)

Multi-Tap Scenes for Smart Bulb Control

1x Smart Bulb Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is connected to the load of your Red or Blue Series smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulb, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulb always has power to it, then use multi-tap scene control to turn on and off the bulb.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Blue Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, open up your Hubitat app and on the, "Apps" tab
    ​

  3. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  4. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

  5. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  6. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light on)
    ​

  7. Click on, "Select Trigger Events"
    ​

  8. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  9. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  10. Since we're using the on button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Pushed" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  11. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  12. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  13. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs" (NOTE: If you just want your bulb to turn on to the last level it was prior to being turned off, select, "Control Switches and Push Buttons", then in Step 13, select, "Turn switches on/off")
    ​

  14. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  15. Select your smart bulb that you'd like to turn on and click, "Update"
    ​

  16. Select the dim level you'd like your smart bulb to turn on to
    ​

  17. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  18. Click, "Done"
    ​

  19. Now we'll set a rule to turn off the bulb
    ​

  20. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  21. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

    ​

  22. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  23. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light off) and click, "Done"
    ​

  24. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  25. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  26. Since we're using the off button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Held" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  27. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  28. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  29. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs"
    ​

  30. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  31. Select your smart bulb that you'd like to turn off and click, "Update"
    ​

  32. Enter a value of 0 (turns the bulb off)
    ​

  33. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  34. Click, "Done"
    ​

  35. Test out your routines by pressing on the top and bottom part of your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and see if the light turns on and off
    ​

2+ Smart Bulbs Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is connected to the load of your Red or Blue Series smart switch as shown below.

Because the above example has the Inovelli switch wired directly to the smart bulbs, we will need to use Smart Bulb Mode to ensure the smart bulbs always have power to it, then use multi-tap scene control to turn on and off the bulbs.

Written Instructions

  1. First, put your Inovelli Blue Series switch into Smart Bulb Mode by holding down on the top part of the paddle (on) while simultaneously tapping the configuration button four (4) times (do not let go of the paddle when finished tapping the config button). Wait for the LED Bar to flash solid yellow (and then let go of the paddle) indicating the switch has enabled Smart Bulb Mode.
    ​

  2. Next, open up your Hubitat app and on the, "Apps" tab
    ​

  3. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  4. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

  5. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  6. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light on)
    ​

  7. Click on, "Select Trigger Events"
    ​

  8. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  9. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  10. Since we're using the on button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Pushed" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  11. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  12. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  13. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs" (NOTE: If you just want your bulb to turn on to the last level it was prior to being turned off, select, "Control Switches and Push Buttons", then in Step 13, select, "Turn switches on/off")
    ​

  14. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  15. Select your smart bulbs that you'd like to turn on and click, "Update"
    ​

  16. Select the dim level you'd like your smart bulb to turn on to
    ​

  17. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  18. Click, "Done"
    ​

  19. Now we'll set a rule to turn off the bulbs
    ​

  20. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  21. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

    ​

  22. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  23. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light off) and click, "Done"
    ​

  24. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  25. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  26. Since we're using the off button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Held" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  27. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  28. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  29. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs"
    ​

  30. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  31. Select your smart bulbs that you'd like to turn off and click, "Update"
    ​

  32. Enter a value of 0 (turns the bulb off)
    ​

  33. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  34. Click, "Done"
    ​

  35. Test out your routines by pressing on the top and bottom part of your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and see if the lights turn on and off
    ​

1x Smart Bulb Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have a smart bulb that is not connected to the load of your Red or Blue Series smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulb is not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulb is on and no one shuts off the lamp (or fixture). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulb using your Inovelli White Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Open up your Hubitat app and on the, "Apps" tab
    ​

  2. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  3. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

  4. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  5. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light on)
    ​

  6. Click on, "Select Trigger Events"
    ​

  7. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  8. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  9. Since we're using the on button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Pushed" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  10. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  11. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  12. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs" (NOTE: If you just want your bulb to turn on to the last level it was prior to being turned off, select, "Control Switches and Push Buttons", then in Step 13, select, "Turn switches on/off")
    ​

  13. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  14. Select your smart bulb that you'd like to turn on and click, "Update"
    ​

  15. Select the dim level you'd like your smart bulb to turn on to
    ​

  16. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  17. Click, "Done"
    ​

  18. Now we'll set a rule to turn off the bulb
    ​

  19. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  20. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

    ​

  21. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  22. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light off) and click, "Done"
    ​

  23. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  24. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  25. Since we're using the off button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Held" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  26. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  27. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  28. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs"
    ​

  29. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  30. Select your smart bulb that you'd like to turn off and click, "Update"
    ​

  31. Enter a value of 0 (turns the bulb off)
    ​

  32. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  33. Click, "Done"
    ​

  34. Test out your routines by pressing on the top and bottom part of your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and see if the light turns on and off
    ​

2+ Smart Bulbs Not Wired to 1x Smart Switch

In this example, you have multiple smart bulbs that are not connected to the load of your Red or Blue Series smart switch as shown below.

In the above example, the bulbs are not directly wired to the switch, so we will not need to use Smart Bulb Mode. However, please ensure that the smart bulbs are on and no one shuts off the lamps (or fixtures). Below we will setup a series of automations to turn on and off your smart bulbs using your Inovelli White Series switch.

Written Instructions

  1. Open up your Hubitat app and on the, "Apps" tab
    ​

  2. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  3. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

  4. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  5. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light on)
    ​

  6. Click on, "Select Trigger Events"
    ​

  7. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  8. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  9. Since we're using the on button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Pushed" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  10. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  11. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  12. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs" (NOTE: If you just want your bulb to turn on to the last level it was prior to being turned off, select, "Control Switches and Push Buttons", then in Step 13, select, "Turn switches on/off")
    ​

  13. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  14. Select your smart bulbs that you'd like to turn on and click, "Update"
    ​

  15. Select the dim level you'd like your smart bulb to turn on to
    ​

  16. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  17. Click, "Done"
    ​

  18. Now we'll set a rule to turn off the bulbs
    ​

  19. Click on, "Add Built-In App"
    ​

  20. Click on, "Rule Machine"
    ​

    ​

  21. Click on, "Create New Rule"
    ​

  22. Feel free to name this rule (in this case we'll create a rule to turn the smart light off) and click, "Done"
    ​

  23. Click on, "Click to set" under, "Select capability to new Trigger Event" and then select, "Button" from the drop-down
    ​

  24. Click on, "Button Device", then select your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and click, "Update"
    ​

  25. Since we're using the off button of the switch, we'll use Button 1 -- select, "Held" (if you'd like to use a different button, please refer to the Button Mapping Chart) and then click on, "Done with this Trigger Event"
    ​

  26. Click on, "Select Actions to Run..."
    ​

  27. Click on the, "+" sign next to, "Create New Action"
    ​

  28. Click on, "Set Dimmers and Bulbs"
    ​

  29. Click on, "Set dimmer"
    ​

  30. Select your smart bulbs that you'd like to turn off and click, "Update"
    ​

  31. Enter a value of 0 (turns the bulb off)
    ​

  32. Select, "Done with Actions" (and then repeat on the next page)
    ​

  33. Click, "Done"
    ​

  34. Test out your routines by pressing on the top and bottom part of your Inovelli Red or Blue Series switch and see if the lights turn on and off

Related Articles
Setting Up Zigbee Bindings • Hubitat
Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from Smart Switch(es) • Apple Home
Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from Smart Switch(es) • SmartThings
Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from a Smart Switch • Amazon Echo
Controlling Smart Bulb(s) from a Smart Switch • Google Home
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