&gt; Not to mention, why do we want 120&#x2F;240VAC to the controls rather than low voltage DC (less shock risk, less fire hazard, etc.)?<p>Because its simpler, and therefore both cheaper and less failure-prone, to run the actual power to the device through the switch.<p>We&#x27;ve had alternatives with a complexity cost for a long time; they are rarely preferred because the complexity cost is rarely justified.<p>IoT provides more alternatives with complexity costs, but doesn&#x27;t really change the basic reality for most light switches.