Australia - Electrically Certified Hardware

Thanks for sharing the code on the multiplier, I might be able to use that logic with something else. Have you tried any soil moisture meters?

I’ve messed around with the resistive ones (they corrode really easily) and the capacitive ones (which seem better, albeit more expensive).

The issue for me is the sheer size of area I’m irrigating and the number of sensors I’d need to get a representative sample/average. My irrigation controllers are also quite a distance from the solenoids and the irrigated areas, so getting sensor readings over such distances is problematic.

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These are fairly cheap and have been working for me but you are right the costs do go up quickly if you need a heap. I am just planning on 3 for each garden bed in 3 different areas of the yard, 1500m2. Between 9 sensors in 3 different areas I think I should be able to get a good representative sample.

So far they seem to be working well.
* Zigbee Model TS0601.

  • Manufacturer TuYa.
  • Model TS0601_soil

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A bit similar in the RF category…

I’ve was meaning to try them for some time but wound up with another solution.

RF is good for distance and I suspect you could build a ESPHome reciever that could control stuff too.

AU$22.59 | 1 pcs of misol spare part (wireless soil moisture sensor), WH0291S-TR
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMHn6JE

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Would a Bond Bridge connect to these devices?

I don’t know. I don’t think so.

I suspect they only “listen” for RF when put in learning mode. And then I don’t know how you’d parse out the data from the signal anyway with that.

I use one of these for listening and sending RF (DIY ESPHome build)

I used to use the GiEX branded zigbee water devices (TS0601) but they just burnt through batteries in a couple of days. I’m using the ones similar to what you posted - or at least ones that are physically identical - EcoWitt branded https://www.amazon.com.au/Ecowitt-Moisture-Sensor-Humidity-Tester

I use a cheap RTL dongle from aliexpress to monitor the readings https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32900553328.html

Using the RTL_433 add-on from homeassistant.

They work really well. The dongle is located right in the centre of the house, but is able to read the sensors in the back yard as well as the front garden.

image

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Sounds like a decent option!!

My batteries have been holding pretty well. Mine were not GiEX Branded when I bought them. I also have zigbee repeaters one wall away from my soil moisture meters.

I do like the idea of 433mhz devices.

I bought the first batch, they apparently fixed it in a later batch, but you can’t upgrade the firmward so they’re bricks. So rather than buy them again (and they’re pretty bloody big tbh) I went with the 433Mhz ones.

I don’t mind the size, save the Mrs slaughtering them when she is in the garden. I did look at those 433 ones but could not find an easy way to integrate.

Can you upgrade the firmware if you connect it to a Tuya Hub and upgrade the firmware through the Smart Life or Tuya App?

for the ecowitt 433mhz soil sensors you can use the ecowitt bridge/wifi gateway gw1100 theres an add on in HA, you just punch in the IP data via the web interface on the wifi gateway and its good to go.

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Anyone here using the Aqara T2 Dual Relay? Any feedback? Doesn’t appear to have neutral and not sure if it would work with dimmable LED’s? According to this review the product could receive native thread support in the future

Yes it has a N, I have one at the moment and it was easy to pair directly via zigbee to my HA instance. I am still trying to get an electrician to reply back to me and install the one I have for me where I need it.

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It’s just an ON/OFF relay so it has no ability to perform dimming. If you connect dimmable LED’s to it they will only ever turn on at full brightness, which is fine if that’s all you want them to do.

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No, I bought a tuya zigbee gateway for that specific reason. But you can’t.

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Anyone know of an Australian standard certified ZHA zigbee 4 socket powerboard with inbuilt power monitoring ?

Thanks

Regarding this post made back in January: Australia - Electrically Certified Hardware - #5582 by solarjunkie

If anyone is tempted to get the uncertified plug - don’t.

It switches the neutral not the active. Potentially leading dangerous electrocution risk if a fault develops in the equipment you are switching.

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Absolutely. Yes I swapped the non compliant ones out - which was a complete PITA. Not only did they cost me money (They are no longer in use in my house), it took alot of HA reprogramming. I’m not into doing things by the cheap - To the contrary, I purchased these in Australia in good faith (believing they were legit and imported to the relevant Australian standards) - the product snuck thru the usual safety checking - because of the lax safety checking in this country. If (you know who) can sneak them in… they will ! Yes. It agree. It is a case of buyer beware.

So I am after a compliant power board. Not a single GPO plug. A power board. And I said Australian Standard certified in the request :grinning: