Just started installing Kasa smart switches in our new house and I've been pretty happy with them so far. Getting ready to do my first 3-way set so I've been getting some tips from UA-cam when I found your channel. I really appreciate some of your tips. Another one I picked up along the way is to write the breaker number on the back of your wall plate when you are working on an outlet or switch.
Hello Daru , When removing wire nuts and plan to reuse them , Always look inside the wire nut to make sure there's no broken piece of wire in the nut , I've seen this many times , Especially removing wire nuts that had stranded wire connected because especially with stranded wire , The ends of the stranded wire are known to break off and get stuck in the wire nut and it can happen with solid wire , So If you see any broken piece of wire stuck in the wire nut , Throw it away and use a new one because if there's a piece of broken wire in there , It won't allow you to get the connection tight enough So as a rule of thumb , Whenever I remove wire nuts where stranded wire is connected , I always use new ones because I've had this happen many times , Another thing that makes you so great is that whenever a new product comes out on the market You thoroughly inspect it and check it for safety and quality , The products you introduce are the only ones I want to use because they have your stamp of approval which I know will be safe This is the first dimmer switch I've seen that has side terminals and don't require wire nuts because of how wire nuts take up space in the box , For sure the next time I have to replace a dimmer switch , I'm going with this one because I like the side terminals instead of the lead wires coming out of other dimmer switches because the lead wires coming out are rather small in wire gauge and I don't know how well they're connected internally in the switch , it'll be great if they come out with a dimmer switch that has the lever connectors the same way the receptacle and the switch you introduced , So I'll be looking for you to introduce a dimmer switch with lever connectors because I'm sure you'll find it and that you'll check it out thoroughly for safety and quality And that it has your stamp of approval before introducing it , One more thing I'd like to point out is when installing a dimmer switch that's 3 way , That is a light fixture controlled in two locations Only install one 3 way dimmer switch and not two , Otherwise you can get a double resistance through the other dimmer switch and not get full brilliance of the light fixture when you turn it all the way up , I had this happen when I installed a light fixture using 3 way switches and the lady I did it for wanted a 3 way switch at both ends and I wasn't getting full brilliance from the light fixture when I turned it all the way up , So I had to remove one 3 way dimmer switch and use a regular 3 way switch on the other end and explained it to the lady that you can't use two 3 way dimmer at both ends because of the double resistance effect and she eventually accepted it
The Kasa KS230 Kit is a 3-way dimmer switch kit that includes a dimmer host and a dimmer button controller. This allows for dimming control from two different locations within a 3-way circuit, with synchronization between the host and the controller.
Great content. I'm changing out the lights in my house to recess LED lights and considering using smart dimmer. Not an electrician by any means, but content like yours has made me realize how easy it is for homeowners to do their own project? Question: why do you have two wires going onto the LINE screws? Is it because it part of a 3-way switch? Or something else? Thanks!
I want to thank you so much for your videos being the way you present your information is truly educational and interesting. I have a question regarding the not strong WiFi signal you mentioned. Where I am now on an iPad that only works via WiFi and the WiFi box is at the furthest end of the house and so I am not getting a Strong WiFi signal. What would you recommend for me to use to strengthen the existing WiFi signal knowing it’s not easy to run a wire the entire length of the house to correct this. Is there a wireless device I can use to solve this? Thanking you in advance for your incredible presentation. I’m so impressed with you that I taped on the Like and Subscribe. I grew up learning the basics of what you are explaining but you provided a much more current information with newer technology. Also you’re super attractive and I am super single, not that it matters. But thank you so much. I’m just extremely impressed with the presentations you provide.
I would call your wi-fi provider and see if they can help you with your signal issues. Companies where I live, will come to your home to install signal boosters for free. They plug into your wall. You can also get a wifi signal extender that will boost your signal. Kasa also says if you can’t improve your signal you can install your switches closer where your signal is strong. Thanks Mark all the best!
You need a strong wifi-connection or an extender. I had a wifi-technician also recommend splitting 5G down to 2.5G for smart tech devices to connect + 5G for wifi/internet use. I don’t know if that helps with your situation.
@@DaruDhillon Yeah, I get full bars, so it is fine, it just refuses to connect. It just times out. I have three different smart switches and tried them in various places, and it does the same thing in each room. I can manually turn them off and on manually, it is just the app to phone to wifi switch, so Amazon Alexa can't access it.
Normally you’d see one wire. There’s two here because one wire provides power to the switch. The other is carrying powering to another device elsewhere. Good question. Thanks!
Kasa will work with any standard faceplate. I’ve been using screwless faceplates in single, double and multi-gang installations. I have a link in the description to my Amazon store that has them at a good price. But any will do!
Now this I like ! Love the lock down screws but Daru all the beauty in the world ( you ) wont compensate for an improper ground Great vid nonetheless !
Ok my bad just rewatched the vid and noticed the ground wires at the back of the box locked down . I’m so used to new installations where I will run wiring and wrap the ground around the lockdown screw then extend it to the device at about 6 inches or so . But in rework you don’t always find that . Pre twisting … wrapping the device with e tape …. Love it ! Great job !
Just started installing Kasa smart switches in our new house and I've been pretty happy with them so far. Getting ready to do my first 3-way set so I've been getting some tips from UA-cam when I found your channel. I really appreciate some of your tips. Another one I picked up along the way is to write the breaker number on the back of your wall plate when you are working on an outlet or switch.
Welcome! That's a great tip about writing the breaker number on the wall plate. Thanks for sharing. That's helpful.
I’ve installed a number of those Kasa smart switches in my home. Love’em! Easy to install, easy to use/program.
Thanks Anthony for letting us know your experience. That’s very helpful. They are easy to use and the price is reasonable compared to other brands.
Hello Daru , When removing wire nuts and plan to reuse them , Always look inside the wire nut to make sure there's no broken piece of wire in the nut , I've seen this many times , Especially removing wire nuts that had stranded wire connected because especially with stranded wire , The ends of the stranded wire are known to break off and get stuck in the wire nut and it can happen with solid wire , So If you see any broken piece of wire stuck in the wire nut , Throw it away and use a new one because if there's a piece of broken wire in there , It won't allow you to get the connection tight enough
So as a rule of thumb , Whenever I remove wire nuts where stranded wire is connected , I always use new ones because I've had this happen many times , Another thing that makes you so great is that whenever a new product comes out on the market
You thoroughly inspect it and check it for safety and quality , The products you introduce are the only ones I want to use because they have your stamp of approval which I know will be safe
This is the first dimmer switch I've seen that has side terminals and don't require wire nuts because of how wire nuts take up space in the box , For sure the next time I have to replace a dimmer switch , I'm going with this one because I like the side terminals instead of the lead wires coming out of other dimmer switches because the lead wires coming out are rather small in wire gauge and I don't know how well they're connected internally in the switch , it'll be great if they come out with a dimmer switch that has the lever connectors the same way the receptacle and the switch you introduced , So I'll be looking for you to introduce a dimmer switch with lever connectors because I'm sure you'll find it and that you'll check it out thoroughly for safety and quality
And that it has your stamp of approval before introducing it , One more thing I'd like to point out is when installing a dimmer switch that's 3 way , That is a light fixture controlled in two locations
Only install one 3 way dimmer switch and not two , Otherwise you can get a double resistance through the other dimmer switch and not get full brilliance of the light fixture when you turn it all the way up , I had this happen when I installed a light fixture using 3 way switches and the lady I did it for wanted a 3 way switch at both ends and I wasn't getting full brilliance from the light fixture when I turned it all the way up , So I had to remove one 3 way dimmer switch and use a regular 3 way switch on the other end and explained it to the lady that you can't use two 3 way dimmer at both ends because of the double resistance effect and she eventually accepted it
Sounds like a great learning experience, loaded with helpful tips and lessons! Good job!
The Kasa KS230 Kit is a 3-way dimmer switch kit that includes a dimmer host and a dimmer button controller. This allows for dimming control from two different locations within a 3-way circuit, with synchronization between the host and the controller.
My english is not perfect but the i learn so well here, thanx you so much
Happy to help! Merci
@@DaruDhillon 💚
Great content. I'm changing out the lights in my house to recess LED lights and considering using smart dimmer. Not an electrician by any means, but content like yours has made me realize how easy it is for homeowners to do their own project? Question: why do you have two wires going onto the LINE screws? Is it because it part of a 3-way switch? Or something else? Thanks!
Thanks and good to see you taking on your own projects! It’s a good question. The power from the switch is providing power elsewhere in the room.
What do you think about Smart Switches? Have your say in the comments!
They're smarter than they look?
@@garzon53 aren't they :)
You are very well educated, Daru. Greetings from Wisconsin!
Hello to you in Wisconsin Pablo! Thanks. Must be beautiful this time of year.
Very clear, you're good at this.
Thanks Roger!
Is ground required? I dont have ground wire.
If you reuse the old wire nut, check that there is no copper in the tip. If there is debrey in the tip, use a new nut.
@@rossjohnson9162 Thanks Ross that’s a good tip. Appreciate you sharing your experience. 👍🏽
I want to thank you so much for your videos being the way you present your information is truly educational and interesting. I have a question regarding the not strong WiFi signal you mentioned. Where I am now on an iPad that only works via WiFi and the WiFi box is at the furthest end of the house and so I am not getting a Strong WiFi signal. What would you recommend for me to use to strengthen the existing WiFi signal knowing it’s not easy to run a wire the entire length of the house to correct this. Is there a wireless device I can use to solve this? Thanking you in advance for your incredible presentation. I’m so impressed with you that I taped on the Like and Subscribe. I grew up learning the basics of what you are explaining but you provided a much more current information with newer technology. Also you’re super attractive and I am super single, not that it matters. But thank you so much. I’m just extremely impressed with the presentations you provide.
I would call your wi-fi provider and see if they can help you with your signal issues. Companies where I live, will come to your home to install signal boosters for free. They plug into your wall. You can also get a wifi signal extender that will boost your signal.
Kasa also says if you can’t improve your signal you can install your switches closer where your signal is strong. Thanks Mark all the best!
Gawd Daru is the greatest.
Trying to keep up with the switch. All the best!
Love the idea of taking the photo of it, great tip. Now if I can get my worker to do that instead of having me figure it out.
That’s a whole other trick in itself! You know it.
My electrician didn’t install them and said I don’t have ground wires!
you seemed to forget to show how to sync the wifi from phone to app. mine won't sync for some reason.
You need a strong wifi-connection or an extender. I had a wifi-technician also recommend splitting 5G down to 2.5G for smart tech devices to connect + 5G for wifi/internet use. I don’t know if that helps with your situation.
@@DaruDhillon Yeah, I get full bars, so it is fine, it just refuses to connect. It just times out. I have three different smart switches and tried them in various places, and it does the same thing in each room.
I can manually turn them off and on manually, it is just the app to phone to wifi switch, so Amazon Alexa can't access it.
@@rmjohnson144 I would call your wifi provider they should be able to help you out. Sounds like a signal issue on their end.
Great video. Unfortunately you skipped over very quickly why you need two
line wires.
Probably a very ignorant question. Thanks anyway.
Normally you’d see one wire. There’s two here because one wire provides power to the switch. The other is carrying powering to another device elsewhere. Good question. Thanks!
Kasa doesn’t offer a 2 gang face plate. What can I use?
Kasa will work with any standard faceplate. I’ve been using screwless faceplates in single, double and multi-gang installations. I have a link in the description to my Amazon store that has them at a good price. But any will do!
Nice 👍
Thanks ✌
Now this I like ! Love the lock down screws but Daru all the beauty in the world ( you ) wont compensate for an improper ground
Great vid nonetheless !
How would you improve the ground? Curious. All wires are grounded at the back of the box.
Ok my bad just rewatched the vid and noticed the ground wires at the back of the box locked down . I’m so used to new installations where I will run wiring and wrap the ground around the lockdown screw then extend it to the device at about 6 inches or so . But in rework you don’t always find that .
Pre twisting … wrapping the device with e tape …. Love it ! Great job !
@@tonysC8 Thanks Tony! Always looking for ways to improve. Appreciate the double-take on the video.