Common UK lighting circuits, 2-wire and 3-wire systems, and how smart modules fit into each.

Before choosing a smart switch, dimmer or module, check what kind of lighting circuit you have. Two guides help:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/standard-lighting-circuits">Standard lighting circuits</a>: the most common circuits and how modules can be installed in each.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/apnt-23-understanding-2-wire-and-3-wire-lighting-systems">2-wire vs 3-wire lighting</a>: whether you have a neutral at the switch, and when you need a bypass.</li>
</ul>
Mains wiring should only be done by a competent person, such as a qualified electrician.

Wiring diagrams and lighting circuits

Zigbee is an open, low-power wireless standard used by many smart home brands. Read our complete guide.

Zigbee is an open, low-power wireless standard used by many smart home brands, including Aqara, Philips Hue and our own Vesternet devices. Like Z-Wave, it builds a mesh network in which mains-powered devices extend the range.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/zigbee-guide">Zigbee: complete guide</a>. Comparing technologies? See <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/z-wave-vs-zigbee-vs-matter">Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Matter</a>.

What is Zigbee?

Z-Wave is a low-power wireless technology for smart home devices. Read our guide to Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus.

Z-Wave is a low-power wireless technology made for smart home devices. Devices form a mesh network, so mains-powered devices pass signals on and extend the range. Every Z-Wave device must use the same regional frequency as your hub; everything we sell is the European 868 MHz version.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/what-is-z-wave">Z-Wave vs Z-Wave Plus</a>. Comparing technologies? See <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/z-wave-vs-zigbee-vs-matter">Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Matter</a>.

What is Z-Wave?

What the smart home terms mean, from association to Z-Wave.

Smart homes come with a lot of new words. Our <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/home-automation-glossary">smart home and home automation glossary</a> explains the terms you&apos;ll meet, from association and inclusion to mesh, Matter and Thread.

Smart home glossary

Smart smoke, carbon monoxide and water leak alarms that alert your phone.

Smart smoke, carbon monoxide (CO) and water leak alarms sound locally like any alarm, and can also alert your phone and trigger automations, such as switching lights on.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/smart-smoke-co-water-leak-alarms">Smart smoke, CO and water leak alarms</a>.
Smart alarms add to, but do not replace, any alarms required by building regulations or your landlord.

Smoke, CO and water leak alarms

Automating blinds, curtains, shutters and awnings.

Motorised blinds, curtains, shutters and awnings can open with the sunrise, close at dusk or react to the temperature. You can automate existing motors with a smart module, or fit a smart motor.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/smart-blinds-curtains-motors">Smart blinds, curtains and motors</a>.

Smart blinds, curtains and motors

Sirens, doorbells, locks and alarms for your smart home.

A smart home can alert you on your phone when a door opens or motion is detected, sound a siren, and switch lights on to make the house look occupied.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sirens-doorbells">Smart home security: sirens, doorbells, locks and alarms</a>. For sensors, see the <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sensors">smart home sensors guide</a>.

Smart home security

Choosing a smart plug, and using energy monitoring to cut waste.

Smart plugs let you schedule or remotely switch appliances, and many measure how much energy a device uses, so you can spot appliances wasting power on standby.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sockets">How to choose a smart plug</a>. To save on heating, see <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-heating-controls">choosing smart heating controls</a>.

Smart plugs and energy monitoring

Choosing smart switches, dimmers and modules, plus 15 lighting automation ideas.

Smart lighting is the most popular place to start: lights that switch on as you walk in, dim for a film, or turn off when everyone leaves.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-wall-switches-dimmers">Smart light switches, dimmers and modules</a>: which type to choose.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/scenarios-smart-home-lighting-guide">Smart home lighting guide: 15 automation ideas</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/apnt-23-understanding-2-wire-and-3-wire-lighting-systems">2-wire vs 3-wire lighting</a>: check your wiring first.</li>
</ul>

Smart lighting

Smart thermostats and radiator valves for room-by-room heating control.

Smart thermostats and radiator valves let you heat each room only when it&apos;s needed, control the heating from your phone, and turn it down automatically when windows open or everyone is out.
Read the guide: <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-heating-controls">Choosing smart home heating controls</a>.

Smart heating controls

Why some devices work together and others don't, and how to check before you buy.

Devices work together when they share a wireless technology (such as Z-Wave, Zigbee or Matter) with your hub, and your hub knows how to use all of the device&apos;s features. Our guide <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/compatibility">Smart home compatibility: will it work with my system?</a> explains the difference.
To check a product, choose your hub under &quot;My controller&quot; at the top of the site. Every product page then shows a &quot;Works with your system&quot; panel. See <a href="https://help.vesternet.com/en-US/Will-it-work-with-my-system-9296603">Will it work with my system?</a> for what each result means.

How smart home compatibility works

Every Vesternet guide in one list: getting started, choosing devices and setting up.

All our guides are free and on our <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/guides">guides page</a>.
<h2 id="start-here">Start here</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/home-automation">Complete home automation guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-a-smart-home-controller">Best smart home hubs: how to choose the right controller</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/compatibility">Smart home compatibility: will it work with my system?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/what-is-z-wave">Z-Wave vs Z-Wave Plus</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/zigbee-guide">Zigbee: complete guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/what-is-matter">What is Matter? Matter and Thread explained</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/z-wave-vs-zigbee-vs-matter">Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Matter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/zigbee-z-wave-range-mesh-network">Zigbee and Z-Wave range: how far can a mesh network reach?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="choosing-devices">Choosing devices</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-wall-switches-dimmers">Smart light switches, dimmers and modules</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/apnt-23-understanding-2-wire-and-3-wire-lighting-systems">2-wire vs 3-wire lighting</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sensors">Smart home sensors guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-heating-controls">Choosing smart home heating controls</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sirens-doorbells">Smart home security</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-remote-controls-wall-controllers">Choosing remote controls and wall controllers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/choosing-sockets">How to choose a smart plug</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/smart-smoke-co-water-leak-alarms">Smart smoke, CO and water leak alarms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/smart-blinds-curtains-motors">Smart blinds, curtains and motors</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="setting-up">Setting up</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/aeotec-smartthings-smart-home-hub-quick-start-guide">Aeotec SmartThings Smart Home Hub: quick start guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/hubitat-elevation-smart-home-hub-quick-start-guide">Hubitat Elevation: quick start guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/home-assistant-z-wave-zigbee">Home Assistant: setting up Z-Wave JS and Zigbee (ZHA)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/athom-homey-pro-smart-home-hub-quick-start-guide">Homey Pro: quick start guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/adding-and-removing-devices">Adding and removing smart home devices</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/firmware-updates">Smart home firmware updates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/scenarios-smart-home-lighting-guide">Smart home lighting guide: 15 automation ideas</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/moving-to-a-new-hub">Upgrading or moving to a new smart home hub</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/home-automation-glossary">Smart home and home automation glossary</a></li>
</ul>
Setting up a Vesternet device? Go to <a href="https://www.vesternet.com/pages/start">Set up your Vesternet devices</a> for drivers and step-by-step instructions.

Smart home guides