Zigbee switch module strange behavior - Need help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: elcrni
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 11:53:27 am
content: HI All,So i have been playing with the smart home solutions, set up the Home Assistant, SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus Gateway etc.My main goal is to control lights in my house, some AV gear and such, nothing really heavy.In the process of finding ZigBee switches that would be suitable for retrofitting i came across "switch modules" that could as well do the work. Found one for testing, connected everything, added the switch to Home Assistant, connected mechanical switch like the one i already have in my house...Everything works as intended, i can toggle the light with mechanical switch as well as with HA, i also get the state so all good, except a single very annoying thing:When i flip the mechanical switch a couple of times in a row, like 4-5 times ON and OFF, not very fast, perhaps one flip per second... the switch module starts flashing blue like when in "pairing" mode. I can still use the mechanical switch but lose connection to HA.First i though it has something to do with internal relay but i can toggle the switch from HA 1000's of times very fast and it will never fail, loose connection or start flashing blue like in pairing mode, so it should not be relay related but i am now suspecting an actual feature to put the module into pairing mode without have to take it out of the installation box behind the mechanical switch.As this is all no name junk electronics, there is no proper manual or instructions of any kind, so i was hoping someone can shed some light on to this issue.Many thanks,Alek

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 11:57:45 am
content: How is it normally put into pairing mode?

author: elcrni
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 12:03:10 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on September 30, 2023, 11:57:45 amOn initial installation, press and hold RESET button for 5+ seconds, it starts flashing blue and my Zigbee gateway can see it and pair.The same behavior happens with i flip the mechanical switch 4+ times in a row, fast or slow, doesn't matterThanks,Alek

author: Shonky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 12:31:41 pm
content: Pretty common for these types of devices to go into pairing mode with a certain number of button presses or in the case of lamps, power cycles. The time frame shouldnt be open ended though and usually they require switching or power cycling every 1 second or so to go into pairing mode.What's the actual issue here? Flicking the mechanical switch on and off multiple times in a short space of time is not normal operation.

author: elcrni
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 12:42:40 pm
content: Quote from: Shonky on September 30, 2023, 12:31:41 pmI have to agree, flicking the light switch ON and OFF multiple times in a row is not a normal operation, i was more interested in knowing if this was a bug/malfunction or actual feature... i can live with it though.Many thanks,Alek

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 12:55:50 pm
content: If it is a way to pairing mode (1s on/off 4+ times) then it seems reasonable. The usual thing of holding a button for 5+seconds would be a non-starter for this kind of switch and the only other option is a short press, also a bit of a downer. As Shonky says, it would be unusual to flip the switch like that in normal use (if only because of potentially killing the bulb), so I'd put it down as a useful additional function

author: elcrni
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 04:53:12 pm
content: Thanks everyone! I can live with that feature :-)The module gets a bit hot, i can still hold my finger on it, its not fire hot but it's hot. hope this is not the issues as its going to be buried under the switch.Thanks,Alek

author: Shonky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2023, 08:42:16 pm
content: I'd be very wary about putting "junk electronics" (your words) in the wall on your mains wiring particularly if you say already they get quite hot. Are the certifications real for your location?House fires, insurance and unapproved electrical devices is not a good mix at least where I'm from.

author: elcrni
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2023, 11:04:07 am
content: Quote from: Shonky on September 30, 2023, 08:42:16 pmThank you for your reply!I am very wary, got a few different switches and modules from various manufacturers for thorough testing before i install anything. Most of the switches are from brand "Aqara" which seems to be popular in Germany/Austria and some are "junk electronics" (mixed names on boxes/shop/product) without real manufacturers websites, not sure i can trust certifications either. All purchasd from Amazon Germany but available from other local stores under different names. What confuses me the most is the current rating, product page on Amazon says 2300W!? which sounds a bit too high...The only thing i would controll with these are the lights, and all my lights are 13W Philips LED bulbs, on one ceiling lamp i have 3 of these together, so 39W max for one switch.I have only tested it with one 13W bulb and as i said, it gets somewhat hot, i can still hold my finger on it for a longer time without any problems, so i would guess some 60 degrees celsius give or take.On of the "Aqara" zigbee switches doesnt even get warm with 2x13W bulbs ON...The issue here is, all ZigBee modules i find are similar, different brand names, all the same look and functions.Yes, i dont feel conformable putting anything hot behind the wall switch.Many thanks,Alek