Yes, those are important issues I am trying to mitigate in the new Home Automation system. Especially after I am gone, as mentioned in the first post.Please also consider the following when making your decision
-Who will fix it if when it WILL break? If you are away? If you are gone for good!?
-Is it reversable to a standard "dump" wiring when or if you sell the house?
The main goal of this topic was to gather info that helps me make good choices on the technology I deploy. The marketing hype has many (including me) thinking the holy grail is Matter/Thread. At this point it's all promises, magic, and pixie dust.
And be forewarned, I'm horrible at choosing a winner given my long history of buying high and selling low. So I may have doomed Matter/Thread by buying into it.
The safest choice would be to ignore home automation and live a simple Luddite lifestyle. But I am drawn to blinking lights and clicking relays.
Fortunately for me, the USA National Electrical Code (NEC) now requires a neutral in all switch boxes. So my new home will be compatible with smart switches.The wiring in the walls is 100% as an everyday electrician would do it exept I have neutral wires going to the light switch box.
- Thomas