Smart roller shutters: automate them intelligently with a Wi-Fi module

Raising every shutter in the morning, lowering them during the hot hours of summer, checking they are closed before leaving on holiday… A smart roller shutter does all of this from your phone, on a schedule or by voice. Good news: there is no need to replace your shutters. In most cases, a Wi-Fi roller shutter module such as the Shelly 2PM, hidden behind the existing switch, is enough to make an electric shutter smart. Here is how it works, what to plan for if your shutters are still manual, and why the installation should be left to an electrician.

Smart roller shutters: how they work

A standard electric roller shutter is controlled by a two-way switch (up / down) that powers its motor. To make it smart, a small Wi-Fi module is inserted between the switch and the motor. It:

• receives commands from the wall switch, which keeps working as before;
• also receives commands from the app, from scheduled times or from a voice assistant;
• sends current to the motor in the right direction, to raise or lower the shutter.

The module fits in the flush-mounting box, behind the switch: nothing is visible, and you keep your wall fittings. It is exactly the same principle as for lighting, explained in our guide Shelly smart switch and module for lighting.

Manual or already motorised shutters: where to start?

It all depends on how your shutters work today:

If your shutters are manual, the Wi-Fi module alone is not enough: it controls a motor, it does not replace one. Motorising an existing shutter depends on the size of the shutter box and the curtain; have a professional assess it before buying anything.

Shelly 2PM Gen3: the Wi-Fi roller shutter module

The Shelly 2PM Gen3 is available from 395 DH at Brico MIM. It is a two-channel smart relay with a roller shutter / blind mode. According to its product sheet:

• Position and slat angle control: you can raise, lower or stop the shutter at a precise percentage.
• One shutter per device: in shutter mode, both outputs work together on a single motor. For two shutters, you need two modules.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: it connects directly to your router, with no gateway or hub to buy.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Home Assistant, with Matter from firmware 1.6.0.
• Built-in protections: overheating, overvoltage, overcurrent, overpower, plus obstacle detection and a safety switch in shutter mode.
• 20 programmable schedules and power consumption measurement per channel.
• Compact housing of 37 × 42 × 16 mm, which slips behind the switch.

To centralise control, you can add a Shelly Wall Display 4″ (1 690 DH), a touchscreen that fits in place of a switch and controls the Shelly devices in the house, or its large version, the Wall Display XL 10.1″ (4 500 DH).

Wiring and installation: the electrician's role

The Shelly 2PM Gen3 connects to the 220 V mains, between the switch and the shutter motor. It is not a “plug and play” device: the connection must be done by an electrician. This is a matter of safety and compliance, not just convenience. Here are the points required by the manufacturer's sheet that your electrician will check:

• Switch off the power at the panel before any work.
• Upstream protection: a circuit breaker of 16 A maximum, B or C curve. To understand the role of each protection device, read our article circuit breakers and RCDs.
• Wire cross-section: conductors from 0.5 to 4 mm².
• Space in the box: the module fits in most flush-mounting boxes, but this depends on their depth and the wires already inside. A deeper electrical box or a junction box may be needed.
• Inductive load: a shutter motor is an inductive load, for which the manufacturer requires an RC snubber (not included, contact us).

Once the module is wired and shutter mode is enabled in the Shelly app, the shutter can be controlled from your phone, at home or remotely. Also check that the Wi-Fi reaches each window properly: the sheet states a Wi-Fi range of up to 30 m indoors, but thick walls weaken the signal.

Useful scenarios: heat, security, voice control

Keeping cool in summer

In Marrakech, Fes or Meknes, closing the shutters on the sunny side during the hottest hours limits the heat entering the house. With a schedule, the shutters lower automatically in the early afternoon and rise again at the end of the day, even when you are not home. Less heat also means less work for the air conditioning: see our tips for saving electricity.

A house that looks lived in

During the holidays, scheduling the shutters to open in the morning and close in the evening makes the house look occupied. And from the app, you can check and close your shutters remotely.

Voice control

The Shelly 2PM Gen3 is compatible with Amazon Alexa: with an Echo Dot, just ask for the shutters to open or close. Everything is explained in our guide controlling your home by voice with Alexa.

Frequently asked questions

Can I control two shutters with a single Shelly 2PM?

No. In shutter mode, both outputs of the Shelly 2PM Gen3 control a single motor. You need one module per shutter.

Will my wall switch still work?

Yes. The module sits behind the existing fittings: you keep the switch to raise and lower the shutter, and you add remote control on top.

What if the Internet goes down?

The wall switch remains wired to the module and keeps controlling the shutter. Features that go through the cloud, such as remote or voice control, need a connection.

Can I install the module myself?

We recommend leaving the installation to an electrician: the module is wired to 220 V and requires suitable upstream protection. A wiring mistake can damage the motor or create an electrical hazard.

Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?

Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.