Anyone in the UK using a 240v smart motion sensor that switches 240v?
I am looking to use the smart sensor to switch ceiling lights on, either by placing it next to or near the ceiling light fixture, or, wire it to a wall light switch maybe next to the light switch… compatible with HA and no need for a hub or cloud account
I haven’t seen an integrated device with all three in one, as in: smart, motion and switch.
Btw, I have 11 lights to control so not looking to spend silly money on this.
You can build it with a ESP8266, a relay, and a PIR sensor.
Perhaps not as good looking as something you buy but perhaps some parts can be hidden somewhere?
How? With what? I’m unable to guess this but intrigued; please elaborate on your suggestion please.
It’s going on a wall unless it can fit into a single gang wallv switch enclosure so it can’t be a bunch of wires hanging open boards and stuff, can it. What products/items might I use?
On Amazon, search for mini pirs and esp8266 relays The pir can a bit be remote from the relay board, which will switch 240V and power the ESP8266 as well. You’ll need to pick up 3,3v for the PIR and input pins from the esp to connect the pir. Once you’ve got one working the rest will be easier!
This is relay and ESP8266.
Then you need a PIR sensor like this:
And I assume any PIR sensor works fine, I have not used any myself but the instructions seems broad so that suggests (to me at least) most/all will work.
As long as the sensor is outside, then all other parts can be hidden behind the wall or in a box
Just for the record. I picked the first possible link to the ESP/relay. I have no clue if that is a good seller or not.
That’s super helpful. Wow, that board looks tiny. It doesnt say dimensions. Would fit behind a wall switch. Ours are cut out boxes and they are all sealed in and finished - when the switch is unscrewed. Not much room in there. No way to get into the wall. I dont’ want to start hacking and walls and redecorating. Thats an overkill and costs a bit of cash to do around the house so defeats the object I guess.
EDIT: Just realised , thats a “hat” only. I then need the board and some way to power it - looks like its a USB power so thats something else I need to do and get USB power. Doing this from the lighting circuit doesnt seem “legal”. ?? Lot’s to do but maybe too much and I’m worried about the wiring. With a retail smart switch, one just swaps out the current ‘traditional’ switch. MMMmmm?
You should be able to have the PIR up to 12" away from the ESP8266 relay unit, so perhaps you can tuck the relay unit up behind the ceiling rose or whatever and just have the PIR poking through the ceiling to give a clean looking finish. You may need slightly different solutions for different locations.
John, you’re a I didn’t know, rather ignorant and perhaps giving up to eat. Unlike you Thanks
I will look into this. And research a bit more. May i come back if i get stuck please, but I’ll read up first.
I have a nodemcu in each room, along with a pir, dht22, and a bh1750, all shoved in a box surface mounted on the ceiling. I have a few 5V power supplies in the attic and ran power to each.
I needed to beef up my wireless network to handle all the devices, but that’s been a joy to learn too. All in, I bet each multisensor is around $10 in supplies.
Looks neat, never heard of nodemcu either. do they do 240v switching relays powered by 240v or some way of achieving this. My requirement is for a box that runs off 240v (orvsteps that down) because it’s going inside - or flush mount with - the wall light switch.
Nodemcu is 5 or 3.3 volt depending on where you power it.
Are you planning on leaving the wall switch and have this in series?
Wouldn’t it be better to just rip out the wall switch and only use the “new stuff”?
Also why do you think it has to be mounted in the wall where the switch is?
Unless you know something we don’t then I’d say you can have it anywhere you want along the power lines.
You could even have the PIR at one place and the relay at a different place and have them communicate through HA. But this will require two ESP boards, two power supplies (if not the mains version Andy linked to earlier).
What you do is have one ESP board detect the motion using the PIR sensor and it publishes a state in HA, this then triggers an automation that flips the relay on the other ESP board.
So as long as both ESP boards are within wifi range than there is no limit how far apart they can be.
Sorry @Hellis81 for the delay in replying - thank you for your response.
So, yes, I was hoping to replace the single and dual gang standard size wall mounted lighting switch enclosure. The requirement is:-
A Smart device that:-
– has a motion sensor
– can switch 240V AC (light circuit) and is powered by a 240V input feed or can output a suitable power voltage from this 240V.
– has integration with HA to allow scene/automation.
Need manual override (i.e. switch can be activated in the normal way by hand).
Absolutely without exception must not require cloud or hub.
Your idea looks great and would fit into the enclosure but I’m unsure whether I could refit the facia. Maybe I could use a metal blanking plate whereby the device behind could respond to touch - as in touch dimmers. I’m not bothered about dimming but on/off by touch would be fine but then the device would need some way to monitor and act on this - capacitive conductive resistance ?? whatever it is called.
My original idea was just to buy a retail off the shelf switch but I cannot find one that meets my requirement - unless I want to pay like £50+ per unit (and I have upto 10 of them so I am no way spending £500 on switches!). Initially, I am looking to replace just 5 switches in key locations (front door, back door, and three bedrooms). If I can do it for around £100 then great! But I have no experience with these nodemcu/esp devices so would need help setting up and programming.
Imho your starting this the wrong way.
Your looking for a product that you’ve presumed you need.
You need to tell us what you want to achieve and we will advise.
Why do you need pir.
What do you mean by smart.
IMHO there is no “right way” and just because you have the “right way” doesn’t mean that everyone else will agree. Opinion and hindsight at the preserve of humans, as is to err ! There are many ways to cook an egg, no single way is wrong or right moreover the outcome is desirable to one’s palate - or not.
I imagine the purpose of a PIR is self explanatory and somewhat rather obvious?
‘Smart’ - let me if I may indulge you, what do you think a ‘smart device’ is?