Three Way Switch
A classic 3-way switch lets you control a light or appliance from multiple locations -- for example, turning on a hallway light when entering a house and switching it off from a bedroom later. That same principle works beautifully today, but with more flexibility and a smarter twist. In this setup, the traditional wired switches are replaced with two wireless smart buttons and a smart plug. Both buttons can be placed wherever they're needed -- by the front door, near a bed, or anywhere convenient -- and both perform the same function: they toggle the smart plug that powers the device, like a space heater.
What You Need
Smarter Click Logic
Where things get interesting is in how the buttons work:
- Single click: Checks the state of the device and sends a phone notification (
Device is ON/OFF). - Double click or long press: Actually toggles the device and sends a follow-up notification confirming the new state.
This means the heater can be turned on remotely from another part of the house. While walking to the garage, for example, a quick click checks whether it’s already on; a double click turns it on if needed. By the time someone arrives, the space is warmed up and ready.
Overview
flowchart TD
A[Press Button] --> B{Click Type}
B -->|Single Click| C[Notify Current State]
B -->|Double Click or Long Press| D[Toggle Plug]
D --> E[Notify New State]
Why Add a Status Check?
Remote control is convenient but without visual feedback, it’s easy to wonder: Did it actually turn on?
The simple single-click check solves this uncertainty. There’s no guessing or peeking out into a freezing garage to confirm if the heater’s running – the notification shows exactly what’s happening.
Another benefit of separating status checks from actual toggling is that stray button presses – by kids, guests, or curious fingers – don’t accidentally turn things on or off. A single press only reports the current state, leaving the actual control to an intentional double click or long press. If an unexpected status notification pops up, it’s a subtle sign that someone’s been pushing buttons.
With this setup, a basic 3-way switch becomes more flexible and informative. It keeps the convenience of controlling an appliance from multiple places, but adds simple feedback and prevents accidental toggling. Small tweaks like this show how a familiar idea can be modernized for daily comfort and peace of mind – whether it’s warming up a cold room in winter or making sure nothing stays on when it shouldn’t.