I bought a smart switch that relied on IFTTT. It was unreliable, cloud-dependent, and one day just stopped working. So I built my own.
The result is a dual-outlet smart switch with Ethernet, built on ESP32, designed from the ground up for standalone autonomy — no cloud, no app, no subscription.
Sensors integrated so far:
• ACS71020 power monitoring (internal)
• VEML6030 light sensor (remote, over standard network cable)
• SHT30 temperature & humidity (remote, over standard network cable)
• ENS160 air quality (remote, over standard network cable)
The remote sensor capability is something I’m particularly happy with — run a standard Cat5/6 cable from the outlet to wherever you actually want to measure, rather than being stuck with sensors at the plug location.
Currently running a custom React/WebSocket UI. Planning ESPHome support — keen to hear from this community whether that’s the right direction.
I’m an Australian developer. Given sufficient interest I’ll pursue RCM certification and sell these locally.
Interesting concept so far. You don't make much mention of the actual smart switches. Big clicky relais or solid state? Power rating? Presumably the network side is properly isolated from the power circuit?
What do you intend for the final form factor? In wall socket or power board type form factor.
The only real advantage I can foresee from an esphome configuration would be HA communication protocols? Do you intend to have users making their own network sensors where they could utilise esphome? Would you need to have the firmware locked down to pass Australian standards? Where would you manufacture your final device?
I'd say you need to come in around $20-$50 AUD to be competitive.
Switching — dual 16A relays (although 10A standard Max load for Australian consumer devices)
Isolation - Actually I need to create a new revision due to noise from the eth chip.
Form factor is as is shown in the photo above.
The remote sensor bus — VEML6030, SHT30, and ENS160 connect over a differential I2C bus running on standard Cat5/6 cable.
I have built up my own react front end as shown, which allows for simple automations...
Im not really sure whether to implement matter into my code or implement ESPhome for the hardware..
Really I'm just looking for use cases and an audience to justify certification... Cost would be much higher than existing smart outlets out of China.
Would be build in Australia.
On certification — I won’t sell uncertified mains devices. That’s non-negotiable. RCM is the path. The question I’m trying to answer here is whether there’s enough genuine interest to justify that investment for the Australian market first.
If you’d buy one, or know someone who would — that’s the signal I need. A simple reply here is enough.
