Smart Home and AREI: What You Need to Know About Home Automation
Does a Smart Home installation need to be AREI-compliant? Yes — the underlying electrical installation must meet regulations. Here's what's allowed and what to watch out for.
Smart Home and AREI: What You Need to Know About Home Automation
The AREI does not directly regulate Smart Home devices — but the underlying electrical installation must in any case be AREI-compliant. Whether WiFi switches, smart plugs or DIN-rail modules: as long as the base installation meets regulations, Smart Home solutions are not a problem.
What Is Allowed?
Smart Home devices such as WiFi switches (Shelly, Sonoff), smart plugs (TP-Link, Hue Smart Plug) or intelligent lighting (Philips Hue, IKEA TRADFRI) can be used without issues — as long as the underlying electrical installation is AREI-compliant.
This means:
- The wiring must be correctly dimensioned
- Circuit breakers and RCDs must be present and correctly assigned
- The installation must be earthed
- Smart Home modules in the fixed installation must have CE marking and be approved for installation in fixed installations
DIN-Rail Smart Modules in the Distribution Board
A special category is DIN-rail Smart modules such as Shelly Pro, Shelly Pro 3EM or Sonoff DIN modules. These are installed directly in the distribution board on the DIN rail.
Important: since they are part of the fixed installation in the distribution board, DIN-rail modules appear in the single-line diagram (which per Section 3.1.2.2.a must show, among other things, protective devices, switches and fixed equipment; the obligation to keep the diagram as part of the installation file derives from Art. 9.1.2). They must be correctly represented there, just like other distribution board components.
Overview: Smart Home Types and AREI
| Smart Home Type | Installation Location | AREI Relevant? | In Single-Line Diagram? |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi switch (Shelly 1, Sonoff) | Behind existing switch | No, if base installation is compliant | No, if no wiring change. Yes, if fixed wiring is modified (e.g. neutral pulled to switch) |
| Smart plug (plug-in) | In existing socket | No | No |
| Smart bulb (Hue, TRADFRI) | In existing fixture | No | No |
| DIN-rail module (Shelly Pro) | Distribution board | Yes — fixed installation | Yes |
| Smart thermostat (Nest, tado) | Wall-mounted | No, if correctly wired | No |
| Smart door lock | Door frame | No | No |
Physical Switch Remains Mandatory
A common misconception: Smart Home devices do NOT replace the prescribed physical switches. The installation must remain safely operable and switchable at all times — and the switches and control devices themselves must be standard-compliant and, where they provide an isolating function, simultaneously disconnect all live conductors (Art. 5.3.5.4). A Shelly module behind the switch is allowed — removing the switch and controlling only via an app is not.
This also applies to sockets: a smart plug does not replace the permanently installed socket behind it.
During the Electrical Inspection (Keuring)
During the electrical inspection, the inspector checks the electrical installation, not the Smart Home logic. This means:
- The wiring, circuit breakers and earthing are checked
- DIN-rail modules must appear in the diagram
- The Smart Home app or automation rules are not inspected
- WiFi switches behind the wall are generally not flagged, provided the base installation is compliant
Shelly Modules in the Cabinet Editor with PlanElec
With PlanElec, you can place Shelly DIN-rail modules and other Smart Home components in the Cabinet Editor on the DIN rail and correctly document them in the single-line diagram.
Related articles:
- Dedicated Circuits: Which Appliances Need Their Own Circuit?
- Top 10 AREI Violations
- AREI Regulations 2026: What Has Changed?
Document your Smart Home installation in full AREI compliance with PlanElec — including DIN-rail modules in the single-line diagram. Get started →