Yes, I’ve since gotten a couple Sonoff wi-fi devices flashed with ESPHome. And of course my Zigbee versions of Sonoff are local-only.
I’m also planning eventually to try the “Sonoff LAN” HACS integration – That would be way cool to have HA running Sonoff devices in local-only mode with their native API; no flashing required.
I had forgotten about that since flashing my Sonoff devices with ESPHome was so easy. But, it is worth looking at because rumor has it that Sonoff is starting to use the Beken BK7231N instead of ESP82xx processors. (This adds Bluetooth to Sonoff devices). But they will still have to be compatible with their eWeLink firmware.
What about trying to detect all 20 “groups”, this becomes quite cumbersome / messy / expensive.
Just because you can’t think of a reason doesn’t mean there aren’t valid ones.
Having said that, I agree with your “certified” hardware part.
Has anyone found a “certified” multi-channel solution?
Groups of what?
I’m not sure of the English name.
In Dutch, in the meter cabinet / fuse box each circuit breaker is protecting a “group”.
I’m afraid my situation requires more than knowledge of power status at breaker panel. I have a large number of circuits that are protected by GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets, which when tripped, will cut off the power to that outlet and all devices farther down the circuit.
My most important circuit for fault detection is one in a garage with two freezers --which did once lose power (from a bad GFCI).
So yeah, I’m just running any old wi-fi device out there with 5v wall adapter --if it stops reporting online status to Home Assistant, I have an alert.
In the states, each circuit breaker protects a… circuit. Who would have guessed.
What are you trying to detect? If you use a clamp-on current sensor, how would you know the difference from a tripped breaker or nothing on the circuit is on? Both would show zero current.
If you have 20 circuits to monitor, how many of them have a device controlled by Home Assistant? Just ping them every 30-seconds or so.