[Official] Home Automation Thread

[zoneguard]

Ok, I've been reading through this thread, and I have some idea about the switches. I don't think I will be looking at a Xiaomi solution, I want something that will work with both Alexa and Google, steering towards Alexa at the moment.

Alexa and Google Home are not mutually exclusive, I explained somewhere in this thread how I paired a GH Mini with Echo Input and the duo happily responds to both 'Hey Google' or 'Alexa'.

I see that Fibaro and Broadlink is a popular choice for light switches, and assuming I can pull both live + neutral, what other brands should I consider for light switches?

You have to consider if you want to use RF, Zigbee, Z-Wave or Wifi.
RF: Broadlink, Yoogee, Livolo, Funry. Most RF switches don't need neutral.
Zigbee: Xiaomi.
Z-wave: Many brands. I don't use Z-wave so not sure.
Wifi: A lot of brands on Taobao. Burnett was mentioned in the other thread. 零火线智能开关 is the keyword to use.

 

[Vulpix]

With zigbee2mqttt and HA, either Tradfri Remote Control -
toggle, arrow left/right click/hold/release, brightness up/down click/hold/release actions or Xiaomi Mijia/Aqara Magic Cube - shake, wakeup, fall, tap, slide, flip180, flip90, rotate_left and rotate_right)
or Xiaomi Mijia Wireless Switch - single, double, triple, quadruple, many, long, long_release click actions, you may create as many 'scenes' as the actions for each of these devices so WallMote not required. Anyway Aeotec is Z-wave, the frequency for SG makes it challenging to buy stuff from Amazon USA for Z-wave.

What is the difference between the frequency of Zwave here and US?

 

[zoneguard]

What is the difference between the frequency of Zwave here and US?

1. https://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/mesh-networking/z-wave/benefits/technology/global-regions
2. https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/113581445-post483.html

Anyway I decided to go Zigbee instead so don't have to deal with Z-wave frequency transition mess.

 

[Vulpix]

1. https://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/mesh-networking/z-wave/benefits/technology/global-regions
2. https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/113581445-post483.html

Anyway I decided to go Zigbee instead so don't have to deal with Z-wave frequency transition mess.

Did you shortlist any Zigbee light switch brands?

 

[zoneguard]

Did you shortlist any Zigbee light switch brands?

I didn't as I don't have neutral at the switches (so I had to do it another way like install Shelly1 at lighting point) but really not much choice as Xiaomi is the only brand with Zigbee + neutral. There are other brands like Livolo and Zemismart but AFAIK all EU type 86mm ( It is a round thing behind the switch with the screw holes at different positions). SG use UK standard 86mm switch box with 2 screw holes on each side.

 

[Vulpix]

I didn't as I don't have neutral at the switches (so I had to do it another way like install Shelly1 at lighting point) but really not much choice as Xiaomi is the only brand with Zigbee + neutral. There are other brands like Livolo and Zemismart but AFAIK all EU type 86mm ( It is a round thing behind the switch with the screw holes at different positions). SG use UK standard 86mm switch box with 2 screw holes on each side.

Ugh. What a pain in the ass. I think I just gonna one time do this nicely once I decide which setup I gonna go with. Heng mine is new BTO so I can plan this accordingly.

 

[viix]

Zwave, dont bother with Korea freq. Although SG changed to KR freq, good luck finding zwave peripheral in KR freq.. you can still get EU freq zwave module for your digital locks. Digital locks for Yale and samsung so far only zwave as their secure channel more establish than zigbee for now. Only Aqara/Xiaomi locks are zigbee..

I recommend just get EU zwave freq, can easily find devices from amazon UK or aliexpress. Not much hassle. IMHO, zwave response is a touch faster than my zigbee devices. Possibly only because I have zwave powered devices running mesh where my Zigbee are battery devices so no mesh..

 

[viix]

Alexa and Google Home are not mutually exclusive, I explained somewhere in this thread how I paired a GH Mini with Echo Input and the duo happily responds to both 'Hey Google' or 'Alexa'.


You have to consider if you want to use RF, Zigbee, Z-Wave or Wifi.
RF: Broadlink, Yoogee, Livolo, Funry. Most RF switches don't need neutral.
Zigbee: Xiaomi.
Z-wave: Many brands. I don't use Z-wave so not sure.
Wifi: A lot of brands on Taobao. Burnett was mentioned in the other thread. 零火线智能开关 is the keyword to use.

Or just use Homey, zwave, zigbee, RF (still need broadlink for some device) and some wifi (as long someone writes an app for it) all can use within one hub. Except if u want to code yourself with Home assistant. For me, the smart home UX must be CFO approve so Homey pass, HA did not.

 

[Vulpix]

Zwave, dont bother with Korea freq. Although SG changed to KR freq, good luck finding zwave peripheral in KR freq.. you can still get EU freq zwave module for your digital locks. Digital locks for Yale and samsung so far only zwave as their secure channel more establish than zigbee for now. Only Aqara/Xiaomi locks are zigbee..

I recommend just get EU zwave freq, can easily find devices from amazon UK or aliexpress. Not much hassle. IMHO, zwave response is a touch faster than my zigbee devices. Possibly only because I have zwave powered devices running mesh where my Zigbee are battery devices so no mesh..

What's a good Zwave light switch to start with?

 

[viix]

What's a good Zwave light switch to start with?

I use MCO, but maybe too costly for some.. but responsiveness and Zwave association function cant be beat..painful only once.. hub not working, still can do group switching and direct switching with associated zwave devices.. (ie my neo coolcam zwave motion sensor still turns on my MCO switch when I turn off my homey, grouped switch also works so my bedroom master switch can turn off the whole house's zwave switch without hub involved)

 

[Vulpix]

I use MCO, but maybe too costly for some.. but responsiveness cant be beat..painful only once..

Yah I already planning to one time pain. I got enough time to save up.

 

[zoneguard]

For me, the smart home UX must be CFO approve so Homey pass, HA did not.

Might be worth to take a second look, HA post Lovelace is much better in terms of UX. Floorplan is also cool. Can try out the demo here
Some examples:

and

Taken from here

 

[Vulpix]

Does anyone have a Zwave hub to recommend? You need one to interface with Google Home/Alexa right?

 

[Vulpix]

Wah kao, I seriously confused on the hub thing. Why some switches no need hub like the WeMo Light Switch? How do I know if a light switch requires a hub?

 

[viix]

Does anyone have a Zwave hub to recommend? You need one to interface with Google Home/Alexa right?

So many, Samsung smart things, athom homey, broadlink RM Pro, fibaro Home Centre and Home centre lite, Home pod, Aqara/Xiaomi hub, Hubitat or if you want Hassio / Home Assistant on raspberry or better yet intel nuc..

To interface with Alexa/Google, check if the device has native skill for alexa or is intergrated with Google home. Voice assistants are all cloud based so network down, cant use.

Wah kao, I seriously confused on the hub thing. Why some switches no need hub like the WeMo Light Switch? How do I know if a light switch requires a hub?

No need hub means it's either WIFI based. Some of these can work without internet as long on the same network, some requires cloud, ie Samsung smart things, IFTTT.. All depends on the app design and hub. Some commands are local, some needs cloud to process.

my experience so far is Home assistant, homey, yeelight, philips hue, broadlink can work locally without internet as long as network is working.

 

[Vulpix]

So many, Samsung smart things, athom homey, broadlink RM Pro, fibaro Home Centre and Home centre lite, Home pod, Aqara/Xiaomi hub, Hubitat or if you want Hassio / Home Assistant on raspberry or better yet intel nuc..

To interface with Alexa/Google, check if the device has native skill for alexa or is intergrated with Google home. Voice assistants are all cloud based so network down, cant use.



No need hub means it's either WIFI based. Some of these can work without internet as long on the same network, some requires cloud, ie Samsung smart things, IFTTT.. All depends on the app design and hub. Some commands are local, some needs cloud to process.

my experience so far is Home assistant, homey, yeelight, philips hue, broadlink can work locally without internet as long as network is working.

Hmmm. It seems like most light switches need some sort of hub. I also been reading some user experience, seems like hub based one usually less "lag" too, but I not sure if it's just bias. I shortlisted the Hubitat for now.

 

[Alphas]

Has anyone tried Node-Red, it works with Home assistant, MQTT etc

 

[squidy]

Previously I thought of using xiaomi aqara switches. But I changed my mind again LOL.

If budget is not an issue, can you guys rank it here which zwave smart switches are the best? Maybe list 5 of them? Too many choices in the market and I want to feel the pain one time and get the best.

 

[Vulpix]

Previously I thought of using xiaomi aqara switches. But I changed my mind again LOL.

If budget is not an issue, can you guys rank it here which zwave smart switches are the best? Maybe list 5 of them? Too many choices in the market and I want to feel the pain one time and get the best.

https://www.fibaro.com/en/products/smart-switches-and-outlets/
This one looks damn chio, but not out yet. I am guessing the price will be quite scary too since it's Fibaro...

 

[squidy]

https://www.fibaro.com/en/products/smart-switches-and-outlets/
This one looks damn chio, but not out yet. I am guessing the price will be quite scary too since it's Fibaro...

I think both of us are looking at the same thing since I'm doing for my new BTO also ^^

And yes my plan now is getting fibaro Hub and MCO switch..