[Official] Home Automation Thread

[kookymonster]

Hi guys, I'm planning to set up a smart home in my new BTO. Will be running neutral wires to all the lighting points as I think it's best to do it now and future-proof the wiring. For smart light switches, I'm planning to get those from Aqara. My question is will it make a difference whether I get the China or global versions?

I have used the China versions of Xiaomi CCTVs, and they were terrible because it is extremely laggy when trying to access/view the CCTV. Heard that it's beause the CCTV servers for China versions are located in China which makes it slow for us to access. I wouldn't want my light switches to have to go to China server when I try to switch them off/on. Does this mean getting the global version is better in this case? Or is there a Singapore version available?

 

[akagi07]

I used xiaomi/aqara non neutral. non neutral will just cause light flickering but save the wiring. the laggness were due to CN server due to the encryption nego. but at the same time for webcam, CN and international ver firmware varies. try get the international one to save worries. CN once firmware update, do not work for me anymore.

 

[akagi07]

Just going w bulb would mean ur switch is always on.

plenty of smart switches in the market for u to play with. My experience w tuya was bad, spoil after few months and adding capacitor is a pain

I hardly find info on tuya. Im interested in getting them, replacing my mi and aqara switches le. the touch based switch 1/2/3 gangs. but the mentioned of capacitor confused me.

when you say yours spoilt. what happen?

 

[flikmy]

Hi guys, I'm planning to set up a smart home in my new BTO. Will be running neutral wires to all the lighting points as I think it's best to do it now and future-proof the wiring. For smart light switches, I'm planning to get those from Aqara. My question is will it make a difference whether I get the China or global versions?

I have used the China versions of Xiaomi CCTVs, and they were terrible because it is extremely laggy when trying to access/view the CCTV. Heard that it's beause the CCTV servers for China versions are located in China which makes it slow for us to access. I wouldn't want my light switches to have to go to China server when I try to switch them off/on. Does this mean getting the global version is better in this case? Or is there a Singapore version available?

Just started playing around with setting up my home. Got a Global Aqara M2 Hub and switches bought from both local and china merchants. Am using the M2 hub connected to "Other" region (not China) and it has been connecting fine to both local and china switches and sensors. So my take is to get the global hub and then get the switches and sensors from china to save money. Understanding from this thread was that switches are definitely not region specific, so they can be used for China or Global.

The only problematic item has been the E1 door/window sensor as that isn't supported on the global firmware yet. This is the newer 2021 sensor. Was told to switch to China servers but I didn't want to change region on my aqara account and redo all the whole setup. Interestingly, I managed to get the E1 door/window sensor to connect to homekit (but it doesn't appear on the aqara app).

Lastly, my setup is for an old home, so all switches are non-neutral. My downlights are all CCFL though and so have not had any flickering issues. Not sure if the flickering issues mainly affect LED only lights.

 

[Evilbear]

Xiaomi, Aqara, Yeelight and many other China branded companies are planning to restrict usage of region specific released products. Probably due to some government regulations over that side, many times they have different versions of the same product. If you are getting old product with old firmware then should be safe, but for new products or upgrading to latest firmware might run into problems in the future.

Best is use homekit, SmartThings or Home Assistant then you won't run into these region problems.

 

[batniss]

I hardly find info on tuya. Im interested in getting them, replacing my mi and aqara switches le. the touch based switch 1/2/3 gangs. but the mentioned of capacitor confused me.

when you say yours spoilt. what happen?

u change it like all other items.

nothing is confusing for capacitors.

I used xiaomi/aqara non neutral. non neutral will just cause light flickering but save the wiring. the laggness were due to CN server due to the encryption nego. but at the same time for webcam, CN and international ver firmware varies. try get the international one to save worries. CN once firmware update, do not work for me anymore.

non-neutral will cause light to flicker? You definitely did not do a proper installation.

 

[darcbleu]

asking all the experts here. i will be doing reno to my 3 rm HDB flat after CNY and intending to do smart home switches for lights and probably fan.

can i purchase my own smart switches and hub and get my ID electrician to fix up? if yes, where to purchase will be better and more cost efficient?

cos i understand if i get ID side to do all arrangements, it will be more costly.

 

[kookymonster]

Just started playing around with setting up my home. Got a Global Aqara M2 Hub and switches bought from both local and china merchants. Am using the M2 hub connected to "Other" region (not China) and it has been connecting fine to both local and china switches and sensors. So my take is to get the global hub and then get the switches and sensors from china to save money. Understanding from this thread was that switches are definitely not region specific, so they can be used for China or Global.

The only problematic item has been the E1 door/window sensor as that isn't supported on the global firmware yet. This is the newer 2021 sensor. Was told to switch to China servers but I didn't want to change region on my aqara account and redo all the whole setup. Interestingly, I managed to get the E1 door/window sensor to connect to homekit (but it doesn't appear on the aqara app).

Lastly, my setup is for an old home, so all switches are non-neutral. My downlights are all CCFL though and so have not had any flickering issues. Not sure if the flickering issues mainly affect LED only lights.

Confirm that switches are not region specific? I saw on Shopee/Lazada that Aqara switches are sold with different regions. Some reviews also seem to say the same (e.g. https://notenoughtech.com/home-automation/latest-aqara-switches-h1-and-hubs-m2-and-m1s/)

 

[batniss]

asking all the experts here. i will be doing reno to my 3 rm HDB flat after CNY and intending to do smart home switches for lights and probably fan.

can i purchase my own smart switches and hub and get my ID electrician to fix up? if yes, where to purchase will be better and more cost efficient?

cos i understand if i get ID side to do all arrangements, it will be more costly.

of course, you can. The installation is very similar to the legacy switches.

Online. Lazada, shopee might be a good place to start.

 

[batniss]

Confirm that switches are not region specific? I saw on Shopee/Lazada that Aqara switches are sold with different regions. Some reviews also seem to say the same (e.g. https://notenoughtech.com/home-automation/latest-aqara-switches-h1-and-hubs-m2-and-m1s/)

i don't know about now but before i switched to Tuya my Aqaras are very region-centric (unless you don't mind everything on china-mainland).

 

[sabotender]

just checking if others have a similar setup and have managed to make it work:

I have a yeelight ceiling light that I wish to control using a door/window sensor. Are door sensors from Mi or Aqara able to work with the yeelight?

of course, if this doesn't work then I'll just have to let the door sensor control my zigbee wall switch instead.

 

[batniss]

just checking if others have a similar setup and have managed to make it work:

I have a yeelight ceiling light that I wish to control using a door/window sensor. Are door sensors from Mi or Aqara able to work with the yeelight?

of course, if this doesn't work then I'll just have to let the door sensor control my zigbee wall switch instead.

Yes it could

 

[cloudh]

Hi!! Any experts able to help me with some of my questions please?

I am currently renovating my house and would be free to draw up any power sockets/run neutral wiring as the cost is covered by my contractor. I am not a tech person so pardon me. I am inclined to use Aqara for most of my basic smart home functions due to the affordability and somewhat decent line of products.

General Electrical questions:
1. Would it be advisable to just run neutral wiring for the whole house even if i'm only planning to try out smart home in just maybe 1-2 rooms first?

2. Can I still have 2 way switches even if I am using the smarthome system now? (this is so i have the option of reverting back to conventional 2 way switches if needed)

Aqara-related questions:
3. Understand that there is no differentiation between Aqara switches being global or Chinese version so long as the Aqara hub is global version, i can connect to the global server. Is this correct? What about the other accessories such as Aqara sensors/locks?

4. Any maximum wattage for Aqara branded switch? Understand from another brand that per gang, their wattage cannot go above 100 else the switch will spoil.

5. For the Aqara curtains, there is no international version. Hence, the Aqara B1 curtains will come with a two pin (china plug)? If i purchase the curtains from Taobao similarly to the switches, as long as the Aqara hub I'm using is global version, i can still connect to the global server, is this correct?

6. What's the main difference between using global and chinese server? e.g. performance, restriction?

7. Was advised that Apple Homekit is preferable to Google Home for Aqara products? Any opinions on this? TIA

Appreciate if someone can help me soonest, as I would need to plan for my electrical works asap.

 

[sabotender]

Yes it could

Care to provide more specifics? Do you have a similar config?

 

[batniss]

Hi!! Any experts able to help me with some of my questions please?

I am currently renovating my house and would be free to draw up any power sockets/run neutral wiring as the cost is covered by my contractor. I am not a tech person so pardon me. I am inclined to use Aqara for most of my basic smart home functions due to the affordability and somewhat decent line of products.

General Electrical questions:
1. Would it be advisable to just run neutral wiring for the whole house even if i'm only planning to try out smart home in just maybe 1-2 rooms first?

2. Can I still have 2 way switches even if I am using the smarthome system now? (this is so i have the option of reverting back to conventional 2 way switches if needed)

Aqara-related questions:
3. Understand that there is no differentiation between Aqara switches being global or Chinese version so long as the Aqara hub is global version, i can connect to the global server. Is this correct? What about the other accessories such as Aqara sensors/locks?

4. Any maximum wattage for Aqara branded switch? Understand from another brand that per gang, their wattage cannot go above 100 else the switch will spoil.

5. For the Aqara curtains, there is no international version. Hence, the Aqara B1 curtains will come with a two pin (china plug)? If i purchase the curtains from Taobao similarly to the switches, as long as the Aqara hub I'm using is global version, i can still connect to the global server, is this correct?

6. What's the main difference between using global and chinese server? e.g. performance, restriction?

7. Was advised that Apple Homekit is preferable to Google Home for Aqara products? Any opinions on this? TIA

Appreciate if someone can help me soonest, as I would need to plan for my electrical works asap.

1. I will strongly say yes.
2. Yes
3. Not that i know of.
4. Usually 10A / 13A. standard.
5. my past experience tells me that I couldn't connect to it.
6. both
7. no idea, i only used GH

 

[ho_kuku]

just checking if others have a similar setup and have managed to make it work:

I have a yeelight ceiling light that I wish to control using a door/window sensor. Are door sensors from Mi or Aqara able to work with the yeelight?

of course, if this doesn't work then I'll just have to let the door sensor control my zigbee wall switch instead.

For your desired automation to work - you’ll need a xiaomi hub. Set up ur hub, yeelight n sensors in the mi home app - then create your automation - need to specify triggers and action

 

[ho_kuku]

Hi!! Any experts able to help me with some of my questions please?

I am currently renovating my house and would be free to draw up any power sockets/run neutral wiring as the cost is covered by my contractor. I am not a tech person so pardon me. I am inclined to use Aqara for most of my basic smart home functions due to the affordability and somewhat decent line of products.

General Electrical questions:
1. Would it be advisable to just run neutral wiring for the whole house even if i'm only planning to try out smart home in just maybe 1-2 rooms first?

2. Can I still have 2 way switches even if I am using the smarthome system now? (this is so i have the option of reverting back to conventional 2 way switches if needed)

Aqara-related questions:
3. Understand that there is no differentiation between Aqara switches being global or Chinese version so long as the Aqara hub is global version, i can connect to the global server. Is this correct? What about the other accessories such as Aqara sensors/locks?

4. Any maximum wattage for Aqara branded switch? Understand from another brand that per gang, their wattage cannot go above 100 else the switch will spoil.

5. For the Aqara curtains, there is no international version. Hence, the Aqara B1 curtains will come with a two pin (china plug)? If i purchase the curtains from Taobao similarly to the switches, as long as the Aqara hub I'm using is global version, i can still connect to the global server, is this correct?

6. What's the main difference between using global and chinese server? e.g. performance, restriction?

7. Was advised that Apple Homekit is preferable to Google Home for Aqara products? Any opinions on this? TIA

Appreciate if someone can help me soonest, as I would need to plan for my electrical works asap.

7) the advice that you’ve gotten is very subjective. Its really a matter of personal preference. GH supports a wide variety of products - and with cheap nest speakers- u can easily set scenes for all connected products. Can control your iot devices via voice command or GH app too.
For me the major disadvantage - is that it goes thru their server. No way to restrict control within your own network

With Homekit - their infrastructure is more secured. Reacts fasters to commands and automation too. Dun need to go thru external servers for remote control or automation. Cons is that it support far lesser brands than GH. If you like to tinker - homebridge is a open source platform for you to integrate non supported device to Homekit. Requires patience and running a homebridge server though

I use both GH and Homekit

 

[sabotender]

Anyone managed to pull neutral wire for bomb shelter wall switch? Or is this not possible due to hacking required?

 

[sabotender]

For your desired automation to work - you’ll need a xiaomi hub. Set up ur hub, yeelight n sensors in the mi home app - then create your automation - need to specify triggers and action

Thanks, I figured so. Was hoping I could use my Aqara G3 as hub but oh well

Edit: I should be able to use either Mi or Aqara door sensor in this case?

 

[batniss]

Anyone managed to pull neutral wire for bomb shelter wall switch? Or is this not possible due to hacking required?

possible, just tap on the powerpoint switch beside it,