[Official] Home Automation Thread

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scenium

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ho_kuku said:
Halo @scenium ,

Is there any particular reason why you are set on aqara?
There are quite a few options out there for smart switches.

For Aqara home switches - you'll need an aqara hub. All your aqara switches will be then connected to this hub.
You communicate with the hub (via app) and provide the desired actions (ie turn on/off kitchen lights, fans etc) - the hub will in turn communicate with your aqara switches via the zigbee protocol to execute your instructions (ie on/off lights/ fan etc).

The benefit of using zigbee is that interference to your wifi network is minimum. The alternative is using wifi based switches which will add load to your existing wifi network. Imagine having 20-30 more devices connected to your wifi. Having said that - most modern wifi router should be able to handle the load.

The scenarios that you've described are certainly do-able for aqara switches (that is the bare minimum for smart switches). There are 2 basic type of switches in the market - ie switches with neutral AND switches that does not require neutral.

In summary switches that requires neutral - require a neutral wire to power the switch and keep it online 24/7 - this is required so that you can send instruction for it to turn on/off whenever you wish. In this configuration only your switch is powered on by the neutral wire (27/7), NO current goes to your equipment. The downside is that you'll need to ask your electrician to pull neutral wire into all of your switches.

Switches that doesn't require neutral wires (also need to be online 24/7) - manipulates the voltage to achieve the on/off effect. For for lights to turn on - a certain voltage threshold is required. Installing the non neutral switches means that there'll be constant current going into your equipments (lights/ fans etc). The turning on/off is achieved by manipulating the voltage above or below this voltage threshold. In this configuration - there are current going thru your switches AND equipment linked to it. There are discussion that having current going into your equipment 24/7 may shorten its lifespan - and also may have the flickering issue. Alot of folks here dun have this problem

E1 and D1 is pretty similar in terms of function - but E1 uses better material. Metal plates I think - where D1 uses plastic/ ABS. I got my D1 from shoppee - around $20-$30 SGD depending on how many gangs it has. Someone here mentioned that he can get it for $8 - not sure how true it is.
Click to expand...


HI,

The reason i set my eyes on Aqara is because i feel that in terms of quality it is better and QC is done. I do understand that i require a hub for it to work.

My next question is hw many hub is needed since the hub connect to the router for connectivity. I think in SG context most of our hse do not have neutral line and i guess most of us uses non neutral switch. I guess non-neutral smart switch make use of the same principal as the traditional switch.

I am considering wifi switch as well but which brand is more reputable in terms of quality?
 
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comcrepe

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scenium said:
HI,

The reason i set my eyes on Aqara is because i feel that in terms of quality it is better and QC is done. I do understand that i require a hub for it to work.

My next question is hw many hub is needed since the hub connect to the router for connectivity. I think in SG context most of our hse do not have neutral line and i guess most of us uses non neutral switch. I guess non-neutral smart switch make use of the same principal as the traditional switch.

I am considering wifi switch as well but which brand is more reputable in terms of quality?
Click to expand...
I use aqara too because I use HomeKit.

i have the aqara m2 global hub. Only one is required if your place isn’t too big and if the hub is placed centrally.

I used to have poor signal problems and checked online how to rectify the problem. Seems like aqara neutral switches can act as a Zigbee repeater. The non neutral switches like that ones I have wont help repeat the Zigbee signal.
but you can solve it by using the aqara smart bulbs. Apparently they can act as Zigbee repeaters. Much cheaper than buying an extra hub.

I added two aqara bulbs into my aqara system and I no longer have poor Zigbee signal.

next step: I’m exploring Homebridge to see how it can make HomeKit better. Some of the big players are developing an industry standard called Matter for home automation. Might be wise to keep the investment Low for now and see what happens when Matter takes off. Slated For 2022.
 
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scenium

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comcrepe said:
I use aqara too because I use HomeKit.

i have the aqara m2 global hub. Only one is required if your place isn’t too big and if the hub is placed centrally.

I used to have poor signal problems and checked online how to rectify the problem. Seems like aqara neutral switches can act as a Zigbee repeater. The non neutral switches like that ones I have wont help repeat the Zigbee signal.
but you can solve it by using the aqara smart bulbs. Apparently they can act as Zigbee repeaters. Much cheaper than buying an extra hub.

I added two aqara bulbs into my aqara system and I no longer have poor Zigbee signal.

next step: I’m exploring Homebridge to see how it can make HomeKit better. Some of the big players are developing an industry standard called Matter for home automation. Might be wise to keep the investment Low for now and see what happens when Matter takes off. Slated For 2022.
Click to expand...
What app do you use when you use Aqara switch?
 
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kimijc

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ho_kuku said:
Yes, that is correct.
You got any quotes yet?
Some sly contractor quote per gang - ie if you have a 3 gang switch - they'll quote you for 3 neutral wires
Each switch should only be quote as one neutral wire point regardless of how many gang it has.

FYI
Click to expand...
Yes I do, here’s how it looks like:
Create neutral wire to 14 switches - 14*$35
Hack and conceal wiring for living, room, toilet
1.1k
They were itemised but too much for me to type out.

a pity i already carted out non-neutral switches from Taobao before the quote came out.
On that note - are D1 switches from China the same as those bought from shopee? Can they connect to m2 hub global version as well?

TIA!
 
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kimijc

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comcrepe said:
I use aqara too because I use HomeKit.

i have the aqara m2 global hub. Only one is required if your place isn’t too big and if the hub is placed centrally.

I used to have poor signal problems and checked online how to rectify the problem. Seems like aqara neutral switches can act as a Zigbee repeater. The non neutral switches like that ones I have wont help repeat the Zigbee signal.
but you can solve it by using the aqara smart bulbs. Apparently they can act as Zigbee repeaters. Much cheaper than buying an extra hub.

I added two aqara bulbs into my aqara system and I no longer have poor Zigbee signal.

next step: I’m exploring Homebridge to see how it can make HomeKit better. Some of the big players are developing an industry standard called Matter for home automation. Might be wise to keep the investment Low for now and see what happens when Matter takes off. Slated For 2022.
Click to expand...
Hi there, i have the exact same plan (aqara, homekit) as your setup for my new house. Where did you buy your switches from?
 
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ho_kuku

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kimijc said:
Yes I do, here’s how it looks like:
Create neutral wire to 14 switches - 14*$35
Hack and conceal wiring for living, room, toilet
1.1k
They were itemised but too much for me to type out.

a pity i already carted out non-neutral switches from Taobao before the quote came out.
On that note - are D1 switches from China the same as those bought from shopee? Can they connect to m2 hub global version as well?

TIA!
Click to expand...

oic - then no point - neutral switches should work well too as experienced by many bro out here.
Ya, the switches should be the same regardless of shopee or taobao - and should connect to the M2 hub global version too. Actually if you're just purely using Aqara - the china version hub should work (it works with homekit too). Else - if you're using google home or alexa - you'll need to get the global version
 
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ho_kuku

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scenium said:
HI,

The reason i set my eyes on Aqara is because i feel that in terms of quality it is better and QC is done. I do understand that i require a hub for it to work.

My next question is hw many hub is needed since the hub connect to the router for connectivity. I think in SG context most of our hse do not have neutral line and i guess most of us uses non neutral switch. I guess non-neutral smart switch make use of the same principal as the traditional switch.

I am considering wifi switch as well but which brand is more reputable in terms of quality?
Click to expand...

As some bros had mentioned here - it depends on how big your place is and whether you're using the switches with neutral or not. Switches with neutral wires tends to form a zigbee mesh network that can extend your coverage. I had my hub in the storeroom before - with the mesh network it can cover the whole place.

Neutral and non-neutral switches are quite different - neutral switches cut off current completely from ur equipment. Non-neutral switches just lowered the current so that ur equipment doesn't have enough power to 'power up'. Electricity still flows into your equipment 24/7 with the non neutral switches

Some bros here have good experience with Tuya wifi switches - no need for hub. @batniss switched from Aqara to Tuya and think he is quite happy with it
 
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ho_kuku

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comcrepe said:
I use aqara too because I use HomeKit.

i have the aqara m2 global hub. Only one is required if your place isn’t too big and if the hub is placed centrally.

I used to have poor signal problems and checked online how to rectify the problem. Seems like aqara neutral switches can act as a Zigbee repeater. The non neutral switches like that ones I have wont help repeat the Zigbee signal.
but you can solve it by using the aqara smart bulbs. Apparently they can act as Zigbee repeaters. Much cheaper than buying an extra hub.

I added two aqara bulbs into my aqara system and I no longer have poor Zigbee signal.

next step: I’m exploring Homebridge to see how it can make HomeKit better. Some of the big players are developing an industry standard called Matter for home automation. Might be wise to keep the investment Low for now and see what happens when Matter takes off. Slated For 2022.
Click to expand...

For Homebridge - you need to have alittle patience - but in my experience it works quite well.
You'll need to spend some time looking for the better Add-on. Am running Homebridge on a synology NAS (Docker version). I read will be even a better experience if its run on a Rpi 4.

My vaccum robo still appears as a Fan in homekit - but at least it works. My Ring doorbell didn't work so well - somehow I can't trigger any automation based on doorbell events. Need to further investigate - maybe its a docker issue.

I read that Aqara supports the Matter standards - good news for aqara users
I wanted to dive into SmartThings or Home Assistance few months back - but i do have a number of 3 gangs Neutral Aqara switches - read that it doesn't work too well with those 2 platform - so gave up the idea.

Am using Homepod Mini as Homekit hub - my experience with it is not that great. They are ok - but sometimes updating status of ur smart device lags abit. I was expecting it to be instant.
 
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scenium

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ho_kuku said:
For Homebridge - you need to have alittle patience - but in my experience it works quite well.
You'll need to spend some time looking for the better Add-on. Am running Homebridge on a synology NAS (Docker version). I read will be even a better experience if its run on a Rpi 4.

My vaccum robo still appears as a Fan in homekit - but at least it works. My Ring doorbell didn't work so well - somehow I can't trigger any automation based on doorbell events. Need to further investigate - maybe its a docker issue.

I read that Aqara supports the Matter standards - good news for aqara users
I wanted to dive into SmartThings or Home Assistance few months back - but i do have a number of 3 gangs Neutral Aqara switches - read that it doesn't work too well with those 2 platform - so gave up the idea.

Am using Homepod Mini as Homekit hub - my experience with it is not that great. They are ok - but sometimes updating status of ur smart device lags abit. I was expecting it to be instant.
Click to expand...
Hi, Where can i get the Tuya Wifi Switch?
 
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kimijc

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ho_kuku said:
oic - then no point - neutral switches should work well too as experienced by many bro out here.
Ya, the switches should be the same regardless of shopee or taobao - and should connect to the M2 hub global version too. Actually if you're just purely using Aqara - the china version hub should work (it works with homekit too). Else - if you're using google home or alexa - you'll need to get the global version
Click to expand...
Cool good to know, been finding an answer for that I guess it was in front of me already. :)

Yea, I guess no point to lay neutral wire since many cases of non-neutral that works.
I am looking to integrate with m2 global hub and tag homekit into it.

Fingers crossed!

How many homepod Mini do you have around the house?
 
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ho_kuku

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kimijc said:
Cool good to know, been finding an answer for that I guess it was in front of me already. :)

Yea, I guess no point to lay neutral wire since many cases of non-neutral that works.
I am looking to integrate with m2 global hub and tag homekit into it.

Fingers crossed!

How many homepod Mini do you have around the house?
Click to expand...

actually ur setup and mine quite similar :)

I am using only one homepod mini - mainly as hub. For most rooms - I use google nest mini or nest audio

homepod mini as hub and only for automation purpose - ie motion trigger, scenes etc. i seldom use voice command now - as i find that it is too troublesome and also not very reliable. Sometime very frustrating too - wife prefers remote buttons or motion triggers.

aqara motion sensor has a build in lux sensor too - but as for now it is not exposed to homekit. Will be damn useful is its lux sensor is exposed - ie u can do automation like when light is below certain lux level trigger this and that. Homekit lux sensor are quite expensive

coming back to homekit - i think homepod mini may not be optimal as a hub - sometimes there is a lag on device status : maybe due to it being wifi only - I might switch to an apple tv in the future as I prefer ethernet. Maybe i am bias
 
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jikilan

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Just to share in case some of you not aware. Zemismart released a zigbee hub that can support tuya/homekit/Alexa/ google assistant not long ago.

This is the Product link.
 
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