TCP Smart WiFi Single Gang Wall Switch

In-Depth Look

Smart bulbs are the easiest way into smart lighting, but they only work if the physical wall switch stays on permanently, which isn’t always practical in a household with mixed users. A smart switch solves that by putting the smart control at the switch itself, so the fitting can use any bulb while still getting app and voice control.

Design and Control

The TCP Smart WiFi Single Gang Switch replaces the existing switch plate with a flat, touch-sensitive glass surface, lit by a dark blue LED indicator. It works as a normal touch switch at the wall, and adds control through the TCP Smart app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Siri Shortcuts on top of that. Scheduling lets lights come on automatically at set times, whether that’s for security while away or a daily routine.

The Neutral Wire Requirement

This is the detail that catches people out: because the switch needs constant power to stay connected to WiFi, it requires a neutral wire present at the switch position. Many older UK lighting circuits were wired without one, since a traditional switch only needs the switched live. Check what’s in the back box before ordering, since retrofitting a neutral wire back to the switch is a bigger job than the switch installation itself.

Verdict

For a property with a neutral wire already at the switch, this is a straightforward way to add smart control without replacing every bulb in the fitting. It pairs naturally with TCP’s other smart bulbs and smart plugs for a household building out the same ecosystem, though anyone wanting a 2-gang version will need to look beyond Amazon, since TCP’s 2-gang switch is currently sold through other UK retailers rather than Amazon.