A convertible and addressable switch assembly incudes an interface (I/O) configured to connect to a controller along a telemetry system; and a processor connected to the interface (I/O). The processor is configured to receive a command from the controller, along the telemetry system, to change a first value of a mode status variable to a desired second value, wherein the first value is associated with a first operating mode of the switch assembly and the second value is associated with a second operating mode, which is different from the first operating mode; change the first value to the second value within the switch assembly; and store in a non-volatile memory, at the switch assembly, the second value of the mode status variable.