FabianLast week, Hueblog reader Raphael sent me a rather exciting and interesting question about Philips Hue. I would like to present the answer to all readers here on the blog, as newcomers in particular may not yet be aware of this major advantage of Philips Hue. But let’s get to the question first:
My Hue Bridge is connected to the router in the house. I want to use a Hue Smart Plug in the garden shed. As the garden shed is outside the range of the router, a repeater is installed in the garden, which transmits the WiFi signal into the garden. However, the Smart Plug only works within the range of the router and cannot be reached in the garden shed. What could be the reason for this and how can I solve the problem?
Hue Bridge sets up a mesh network
The story is actually pretty easy to explain: Philips Hue uses a 2.4 GHz network to control its own lights, but does not use WiFi. Instead, the Hue Bridge sets up its own ZigBee network.
The big advantage: every Hue light and every Hue Smart Plug with a fixed power supply not only receives radio signals, but can also forward them to other, more distant lamps. A mesh network is created.
The solution for Raphael and the Smart Plug in the garden shed: additional Hue products must be installed as close as possible to the garden, which then transmit the radio signal to the Smart Plug in the garden shed.
Philips Hue Smart Plug
€34,99 | $34.99 | £29.99
I have been having issues with two of my bulbs which are just out of reach it seems of the rest of my hue setup. There are hue bulbs all around it (some quite close!!) but they become unresponsive pretty much daily. I am thinking of putting a smart plug near by to help extend the range and act as a repeater but I could put another lamp in its location instead . Which one would boost the signal more another lamp or a hue smart plug ?
I think there is now big difference. Just make sure that all bulbs have power all the time.