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In this article, you will learn how to control your smart bulb(s) from your White 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 Google Home Routines.
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
As of right now, there is only one method to control smart bulbs using your Google/Nest Hub and that is by utilizing Routines. While the switch does have another method (e.g. multi-tap scene control), Google does not support it at this time.
What we're going to do is put your Inovelli switch in, "Smart Bulb Mode" and then set up a routine to your smart bulb(s) on and off (i.e., tapping up on the switch will turn the smart bulb on and tapping down will turn off the smart bulb).
Limitations
Unfortunately, there are limitations with controlling your smart bulb(s) with your Google/Nest Hub since it can only utilize Routines instead of the more versatile method listed above (e.g. multi-tap scene control).
The limitation is that you can only turn your smart bulb on (i.e., to whatever dim level you want) and off and you won't be able to dim it from the switch.
IMPORTANT: You may have to opt-in for, "Public Preview" if, "Household Routines" are not available. To opt-in for, "Public Preview", click on the icon at the top of your app as shown in the below screenshot.
Smart Bulb Mode + Routines for Smart Bulb Control
Smart Bulb Wired to Smart Switch
In this example, you have a smart bulb that is connected to the load of your White 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 Routines to turn on and off the bulb.
Written Instructions
Written Instructions
First, put your Inovelli White 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.
Next, open up your Google Home app and click on the, "Automations" tab at the bottom
On the Automations page, click on the, "+ Add" at the bottom right of the screen to create a new routine and select, "Household Routine". We will first create a routine that turns the smart bulb on when the switch is turned on.
PLEASE NOTE: You need to select, "Household Routine" as, "Personal Routine" does not allow you to select a device as a way to start your automation. If you do not see, "Household Routine" as an option, please opt-in to, "Public Preview" which is located at the top right of your screen (next to your profile picture).
Rename your routine by clicking on the pencil icon
Click on, "+ Add starter"
Click on, "When a device does something"
Find your Inovelli White Series switch and select it
Click on, "Turns on or off", make sure, "Turns on" is selected and then click, "Add starter"
Click on, "+ Add action"
Click, "Adjust Home Devices"
Select the smart bulb you want to turn on (if you want to control multiple, repeat steps 9-11 for each device)
Click on the checkbox were it says, "Turn on or off", make sure, "Turn on" is selected and then click, "Add action"
Please note that this will turn the smart bulb onto whatever the last level it was at prior to being turned off -- if you want it to come onto a specific level each time, also select, "Change brightness" and select the level you want.
OPTIONAL: If you want to control multiple bulbs, repeat Steps 9-12 and select a different bulb
Now we'll set another automation to turn off the smart bulb by repeating Steps 2-11 with the following changes: In Step 8 and Step 12, select, "Turns on or off" and select, "Turn off".
Test your routine by tapping on the top part of the switch paddle (i.e., turning the switch on). Your smart bulb(s) should turn on. Tap on the down part of the switch paddle (i.e., turning the switch off). Your smart bulb(s) should turn off.
Smart Bulb Not Wired to 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 White Series switch.
Written Instructions
Written Instructions
Open up your Google Home app and click on the, "Automations" tab at the bottom
On the Automations page, click on the, "+ Add" at the bottom right of the screen to create a new routine and select, "Household Routine". We will first create a routine that turns the smart bulb on when the switch is turned on.
PLEASE NOTE: You need to select, "Household Routine" as, "Personal Routine" does not allow you to select a device as a way to start your automation. If you do not see, "Household Routine" as an option, please opt-in to, "Public Preview" which is located at the top right of your screen (next to your profile picture).
Rename your routine by clicking on the pencil icon
Click on, "+ Add starter"
Click on, "When a device does something"
Find your Inovelli White Series switch and select it
Click on, "Turns on or off", make sure, "Turns on" is selected and then click, "Add starter"
Click on, "+ Add action"
Click, "Adjust Home Devices"
Select the smart bulb you want to turn on (if you want to control multiple, repeat steps 9-11 for each device)
Click on the checkbox were it says, "Turn on or off", make sure, "Turn on" is selected and then click, "Add action"
Please note that this will turn the smart bulb onto whatever the last level it was at prior to being turned off -- if you want it to come onto a specific level each time, also select, "Change brightness" and select the level you want.
OPTIONAL: If you want to control multiple bulbs, repeat Steps 8-11 and select a different bulb
Now we'll set another automation to turn off the smart bulb by repeating Steps 2-11 with the following changes: In Step 7 and Step 11, select, "Turns on or off" and select, "Turn off".
Test your routines by tapping on the top part of the switch paddle (i.e., turning the switch on). Your smart bulb(s) should turn on. Tap on the down part of the switch paddle (i.e., turning the switch off). Your smart bulb(s) should turn off.