Has anyone successfully implemented a SONOFF Smart Wall Switch ZBM5-1C-120 with HA?
I purchased two of these ZBM5-1C-120 smart wall switches and can get neither of them to work. Initially, I connected the first one to neutral, powered it on and paired it with HA by selecting “Add Device” under Zigbee Home Automation. The switch was detected, however, the usual icons associated with a new device:
I waited for several minutes and the status did not change. I then went into the device and every entity is unavailable - even though they are enabled.
I’ve tried: restarting HA; rebooting the HA host; powered off the device for several minutes and repairing it; tried a second device; removing the neutral wire and pairing again; re-configuring the device, etc. The device is no more than 25 to 30’ away from the Zigbee-E Dongle and RSSI shows -59. Which is fairly decent.
I assume, for most AC electrical items, you’d want them grounded. Perhaps not. But, in this case, the previous old-style manual switch was grounded. This new switch is mostly plastic, but does contain a thin, aluminum back plate that is used to mount the switch to the electrical box. I just found it odd that there is nowhere to attach a ground to it.
I have several ZBM5-xC-80/86 switches running under ZHA and they’ve been very reliable, so what you’re seeing certainly doesn’t seem typical of the ZBM5 family.
I noticed you initially had neutral connected, but later removed it and re-paired as part of the troubleshooting. If you still have neutral available, I’d probably go back to using it, factory reset/re-pair the switch and see how it behaves then. The ZBM5 operates as a Zigbee router when powered with neutral, whereas in no-neutral mode it operates as an end device. Your screenshot currently shows it as an EndDevice, so that may simply reflect the way it was last paired.
I also checked the firmware because mine are on 1.0.6. Your ZBM5-1C-120 is on 1.0.4, but that appears to be the current firmware for the 120 model, so I don’t think you’re simply missing an OTA update.
On the binding issue, you might find ZHA Bindings Manager useful. It gives a much clearer view of the actual endpoints, clusters and bindings than the standard ZHA binding screen, and may help show what’s happening when you bind it and subsequently see -1:
Considering that you’ve tried two switches, have decent RSSI and are still seeing the device alternate between working and unavailable, I’d be interested to see whether going back to neutral mode changes anything. If not, it could point more towards something specific to the 120 model/firmware or its interaction with ZHA rather than a basic mesh signal problem.
First - thank you for the reply. Second - thank you for the advice. I did, in fact, re-connect the neutral for the added benefit of it becoming a usable Zigbee router, as you mentioned and then attempted to re-pair it. But, I did not factory reset it. I will attempt this and update.
I agree on the firmware - with them being on the latest, I don’t think an update would address this issue.
I will check out the ZHA Bindings Manager. Thank you.
Prior to creating a post here, I did go through the “Help” at Sonoff’s website but it does not appear I am doing anything exotic or experimental and my device is wired exactly as shown:
…and I am guilty of not resetting the device after initially connecting the switch without the neutral (it started working) and then I removed it, added the neutral and re-connected it. But, I did not factory reset it. You may have something there.
It’s now at -56, so the signal appears to be slowly improving?
I’ll let it simmer for a while, keep an eye or two on it and perhaps the “magic will happen” and it will miraculously begin working.
I’ll also endeavor to get the other switch mounted nearer to the ZBDongle-E and see if a good strong RSSI helps. These switches are from two different sources, but same manufacturer - so maybe this batch of devices is just not ready for primetime, just yet.
The device finally shows up as a router. I am not going to touch it for an hour and see if it remains in this state or it (as I suspect it will) falls back to “unavailable”
If there is a metal backplate it likely should be earthed, according to safety standards. This probably doesn’t apply if the device qualifies as double-insulated.
So far, so good. It has been rock solid since following your suggestion to remove it, disconnect power from it, factory reset it and re-add it. Thank you, again.
I have not had time to investigate the bindings manager, but I will endeavor to do so as soon as possible.
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