Overview

Modernizing home lighting can be challenging, especially in buildings where the electrical system lacks a neutral wire. In many older homes or apartments, rewiring the installation to include a neutral is often costly and invasive.

The Shelly 1L Gen3 (and/or Shelly 2L Gen3) offers a smart, no-neutral-required solution, enabling homeowners and professionals to easily automate and control lighting without modifying existing infrastructure. Designed to work with any switch or light, it provides a fast, flexible, and cost-effective way to bring intelligent lighting control to any space.

Challenges

Many buildings, especially those constructed before smart home technology became widespread lack a neutral wire in the wall switch box. This presents several challenges:

• Compatibility limitations with most smart relays, which typically require a neutral wire

• Expensive rewiring efforts, which can involve opening walls and ceilings

• Restricted device options, as most smart lighting products require modern wiring

• Low-power loads (e.g., LEDs under 10W) causing instability or flickering in non-neutral systems

Homeowners and installers needed a solution that would allow them to integrate smart control without modifying the electrical wiring or sacrificing switch compatibility.

Solutions / Implementations

Solution

The Shelly 1L Gen3 / Shelly 2L Gen3 addresses all these challenges by offering full smart lighting control without the need for a neutral wire. It is one of the few devices on the market that supports this functionality, making it perfect for older homes and installations.

Key Features

• No Neutral Wire Required: Works with live wire only installations

• 100% Compatibility: Supports all types of switches (toggle, push-button) and most lighting types

• Compact Design: Fits easily behind standard wall switch boxes

• Smart Control: App-based control, schedules, timers

• Low-load Support: Support for low-wattage bulbs with Shelly Bypass

Scale / Implementation

Some example Scenarios:

• Retrofitting switches in apartments with older wiring

• Smart lighting upgrades in historic homes

• Rentals where electrical work is limited or restricted

Products Used

• Shelly 1L Gen3 or Shelly 2L Gen3

• Shelly Bypass (optional for low loads)

• Shelly Smart Control App

Results

The deployment of Shelly 1L Gen3 allowed for full smart lighting control without any rewiring:

• Reduced installation costs by eliminating the need to add neutral wires

• Compatibility with existing switches and lights

• Quick setup and configuration via the app

• Seamless user experience through automation, schedules, and remote access

• Expanded smart home access to users with older electrical systems

Conclusion

Shelly 1L Gen3 and Shelly 2L Gen3 has proven to be a game-changer for smart lighting in older buildings. By eliminating the need for a neutral wire, it opens the door for easy and cost-effective upgrades without compromising functionality or aesthetics.

For homeowners, installers, or property managers looking to modernize lighting without tearing into walls or changing infrastructure, Shelly 1L Gen3 and/or Shelly 2L Gen3 offer the perfect retrofit solution.

Devices Used