I recently stumbled upon a clever solution for a common issue with smart lighting, and I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others. As part of a bathroom remodel, I installed a Panasonic WhisperThin fan/light unit with a built-in nightlight. My goal was to wire this nightlight to a Lutron Caseta dimmer for seamless control. However, I encountered an unexpected problem: the dimmer caused a power bleed, preventing the nightlight from fully turning off. This was frustrating, especially since I had assumed the issue was related to the absence of a neutral wire.
I tried several workarounds, including switching to a Lutron switch and integrating a Lutron MLC module, but none resolved the issue. After some research, I decided to switch to Zooz Zen51 and Pico, which I had previously used for another automation project. To my delight, this setup worked perfectly without any power bleed issues. The nightlight now turns off completely, and the dimmer functions smoothly.
If you’re facing similar challenges with power bleed or dimmer compatibility, I highly recommend exploring Zooz Zen51 and Pico. They’ve been a reliable solution for me, and I’m excited to use them for other projects around the house. Happy automating! 