New Split-Design Relay Switch Introduced by Evvr
Smart relays that are designed to sit behind a traditional light switch to make them smart aren’t exactly a new concept, with companies like Fibaro and Aqara having introduced their first HomKit enabled relays a few years back. However, the one issue some users come across is the lack of space afforded in switch boxes to accommodate these little boxes that sometimes just aren’t small enough.
Evvr has come up with a solution that splits the device into two sections, thereby allowing the part that sits behind the light switch to be much smaller, whilst the relay portion connects in between the switch and the bulb(s) they’re connected to – usually in the ceiling or behind the light fitting enclosure.
What’s more interesting is that the smart switch is entirely optional, so if you have a device that needs smart control without a standard switch, you can just purchase the relay itself. This product is also designed for those of use without neutral wires in our light switches, which is an option making itself more present of late. The Relay/switch combo is designed to work not just with standard toggle switches, but also with momentary buttons/rocker switches. It’s also designed for use pretty much anywhere, with compatibility covering voltage inputs from 85~245v @50/60Hz.
Currently, the company offer three different variants on the relay package – a WiFi version that works with Apple HomeKit, with no requirement for a hub, a standard Zigbee 3.0 version that is designed to work with some Zigbee hub, but with no HomeKit compatibility, only Google and Amazon. And finally, a Z-Wave version offered US or EU frequency versions. This last option should, in theory, be HomeKit compatible too, if it’s connected to the HomeKit compatible Thinka Z-Wave Gateway (read our review HERE) that exposes all Z-Wave devices, regardless of manufacturer, as long as they belong to a category supported by HomeKit.
At the time of writing, the HomeKit/WiFi option is out of stock, but the company are hoping to have them in stock within the next month. Evvr now has the HomeKit enabled in-wall Relay Switch available for pre-order, so you can find more information on the company and this product via its website – evvr.io.
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This is an interesting and novel solution. However they have missed a possible logical extension to this idea.
A vast number of US smart switches are available with built-in dimmer control, LED display of the lighting level (as a series of dots) and various other features all able to fit in a standard US ‘decora’ form factor. See Lutron Caseta as a leading example.
By splitting their solution in to two they could potentially do a smaller smart switch/dimmer with LED display etc and still fit in the smaller space constraints of UK and EU light switch form factors.
Anyway, I will monitor this as it will make it much easier to install a 2, 3 or even 4 gang light panel but I want to see dimmer options and Matter support. I am giving up on smart home products until Matter is available.
Apple is still doing a miserable job progressing HomeKit. One hopes this years WWDC will have significant news and this logically would be based on Matter.
It is a bit of a shame we’re still seeing WiFi devices, as opposed to something with Thread, but I’m guessing they went this route to make it also work with Google and Amazon at this time. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Thread version come out at a later date, although that sounds simpler than it probably is.