Get the Gang together

In previous posts, we covered connecting multiple switches together to create convenient two-way hallway switching. More recently we have been helping customers create clever integrations just by using spare gangs on their switches.

This takes a little planning but no additional cost. Let’s say you’re wanting to replace a traditional double gang at your front door with a smart switch. In most instances, you’ll buy a double gang smart switch to replace like for like. However, for no additional cost, you could select a three or four gang switch for the job. Once your sparky has installed it you’ll have two gangs controlling your existing lights and you’ll have two free gangs.

This is the fun part. Those spare two gangs don’t have to be wired to anything, yet they can still be used to control things.

To demonstrate what we are on about let’s use a recent gate automation we did. Most gates come with remote controls and even have inputs that support wifi connected triggers. With the aid of a $40 Tuya based wifi gate opener, we used a spare gang at the front door as a control to open and close a gate.

The concept is simple, pressing the spare gang on the switch works the same as pressing the button on the remote. Press to open, press to stop and press to close.

1st Automation

The automation took a little bit of testing and but once completed works as described. The gate we automated has the addition of a sensor to determine if the gate is open or closed so we had to factor this in. Below is the automation.

Create an Open “tap to run” and a Close “tap to run”. Then set up two automatons.

The first automation checks for the two conditions, Gang Switch on + Gate Closed, if both conditions are met then it will execute the associated tasks. Because we want the switch to work as a button press the first thing we need to do it turn the switch back off. Wait 2 seconds (we do this so the trigger can traverse the internet), then execute the Open “tap to run”. Like magic the gate opens.

The second automation controls the stop and close functions. It checks for two conditions, Gang Switch on + Gate Open, if both conditions are met then it will execute the associated tasks. Once again the first task is to turn the switch back off. Wait 1 second, then execute the Close “tap to run” if the gate is in motion it will stop, or if it is stationary it will change direction, just like using the remote.

And that's it.

This automation could also be used on a garage door.

Using spare gangs can be used as triggers for many things. Controlling both Tuya and non based Tuya products. With a little imagination could use spare gangs for almost anything. We are only too happy to help you turn your smat switch into an intelegent smart switch.