The bypass is a passive component: it isn't configured, isn't paired and doesn't appear in the app. You connect it and it works. All the difficulty is in putting it in the right place.
Before you start
Cut the supply at the panel and verify the absence of voltage with a voltage tester or a multimeter. Don't rely on the wall switch: in neutral-less installations there's still voltage at points of the circuit.
Also check that the bypass is yours. The Bypass for 1L/2L Gen3 and the Bypass for Dimmer Gen3 aren't interchangeable.
Where it goes
In parallel with the load, that is, with the bulb. Its two wires go to the same terminals the lamp reaches.
The natural place is inside the light fixture or in the junction box of the light point, not in the mechanism box next to the Shelly. Its 39 × 23 × 13 mm fit in most ceiling roses.
Step by step
- Cut the power at the corresponding breaker and verify it.
- Access the light point. Remove the ceiling rose or open the junction box where the lamp's cables arrive.
- Identify the load terminals. They're the two the bulb is connected to.
- Connect the bypass's two wires to those same terminals. It has no polarity: the order doesn't matter.
- Make sure it's ventilated. It draws less than 4 W and dissipates that heat. Don't press it against insulation or inside a sealed space.
- Close up and restore the power. Check that the lamp turns on and, above all, that it turns off completely.
If it still flickers after installing it
- Check it's in parallel and not in series. In series the lamp will barely light.
- Confirm it's the correct bypass for your device generation.
- Try another bulb. Some low-end LEDs flicker because of their own driver.
- Rule out a different problem. If what's happening is that the Shelly resets when switching off, the accessory you need is an RC Snubber.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put it in the switch box?
Electrically it works if you reach the same conductors, but in most neutral-less installations that box doesn't have the lamp's return accessible. It's also usually very tight on space and the bypass needs ventilation.
Does the order of the wires matter?
No. It's a passive component with no polarity.
Do I need one per bulb?
No, one per circuit. If three spotlights share the same light point controlled by a Shelly, one bypass is enough.
Does it consume much?
Less than 4 W. It's a fraction of what you'd spend replacing the LEDs with more powerful bulbs to exceed the threshold.
Can it be removed later?
Yes, with no trace in the configuration. If you switch to bulbs over 20 W, you can remove it.
Related guides
- Why your LED flickers and when the bypass is needed
- Which bypass is for you
- Snubber or bypass: which one you need
Installation by qualified personnel. If you don't feel confident working on the light point, use an authorized installer.
Leave a comment