How to use a smart switch vPro with smart light bulbs without cutting the power

If you have smart light bulbs, cutting their power at the switch prevents control via the app, voice, and automations. The solution is to keep the light bulbs always powered and use the Smartify vPRO switch as a remote control through scenes.

What does detached or decoupled mode mean?

In a switch with detachedmode, the physical button no longer cuts the power to the light bulb. Instead, each press sends only a digital command. The smart light bulb remains connected to the power and can respond to the app, voice assistants, and other automations.

How to get the same result with the Smartify vPRO

1. Keep the light bulbs with permanent power. The switched live (load wire) of the light bulbs is no longer switched by the relay and instead receives permanent live wire in a properly protected connection.
2. Keep the vPRO module powered. The Zigbee modules indicated below require live wire and neutral to remain online and communicate with the hub.
3. Correctly isolate the relay output. Since it no longer powers the light bulbs, the output must be terminated and protected inside the box, according to electrical best practices.
4. Create the automations. The state of the button/relay of the vPRO becomes the trigger that turns the smart light bulbs on or off.

How to create scenes in SmartLife or Tuya

Automation 1: turn on the light bulbs

1. Open the SmartLife or Tuya app.
2. Go to Scene or Smart and choose Create automation.
3. In When device status changes, select the vPRO module and set the channel as On.
4. In Execute, select all the desired light bulbs and set Turn on.
5. Save the automation with a clear name, for example, “Living room switch — turn on”.

Automation 2: turn off the light bulbs

1. Create a second automation.
2. Use as a condition the same channel of the module vPRO in state Off.
3. As an action, set all light bulbs to Turn off.
4. Save it, for example, as “Living room switch — turn off”.

Test both states on the physical button and confirm that all light bulbs respond. If you have several channels, repeat the process for each lighting group.

What equipment is needed?

vPRO Zigbee — 1 channel

To control a group of light bulbs from a button.

See 1-channel module

vPRO Zigbee — 2 channels

To control two independent lighting groups.

See 2-channel module

Scene controller vPRO

Alternative without relay for installations where you only need to send commands.

See scene controller

Compatible Zigbee hub

Required to connect the Zigbee equipment to SmartLife or Tuya.

See Zigbee hub

What happens if the internet or the hub fails?

The light bulbs remain powered, but pressing the switch may stop executing the automation while the hub, network, or platform is unavailable. Therefore, this solution depends on the automation system for control by the button. The scene controller vPRO is the most direct option when the goal is just to send commands, without using a relay output.

Summary

• Smart light bulbs must remain connected to the power.
• The vPRO module with neutral remains powered and communicates via Zigbee.
• Two automations reproduce the behavior of turning on and off.
• The wiring change must be done by a qualified electrician.

If you have questions about the compatibility of your installation, talk to the Smartify team before making electrical changes.