2
Jan, 2026

A color to monitor your home

Once the house is domotised, the lights connected, the shutters detected and the door lock domotised, imagine a small light at the entrance that changes colour to indicate the security status of your house at a glance: Locks, shutters, windows, lights … All driven by Home Assistant and Zigbee. Validation 200% WAF certified. Read More

26
Dec, 2025

I am testing the Smart Switch TYZG-002 (or ZG-002)

I have been looking for a long time for a way to get dry contacts (also called potential free) with NO (Normally Open) and NC (Normally Closed) outputs, as SONOFF 4CH modules (Pro or Standard version) do excellently.

This type of dry contact equipment is extremely versatile. It allows the control of electrical appliances or lamps, but also watering valves regardless of their supply voltage (12V, 24V, 230V …), or to send a short pulse to open an automatic gate, actuate an electric waste or trigger a siren. The dry contact works without injecting any voltage specific to the module, it only connects or disconnects two wires according to the NO/NC state, which avoids any risk of electrical conflict between the module and the controlled device.

I ordered this Zigbee module to test it. These tests are not sponsored: I bought this product with my own money, sometimes recovered through resales such as those available in my garage sale.

The documentation indicates that the voltage supported on dry contacts can be up to 240V maximum, with a capacity of 10 A (i.e. 2200 W at 220 V for a resistive load such as a radiator). For inductive or capacitive loads such as LEDs, the limit is 220 W maximum at 220 V, because these loads generate peaks of current at start-up that could damage the relay if the power is too high.

Read More

14
Nov, 2025

I switch from the Zigbee Nabucasa ZBT-1 controller to the ZBT-2

Migration of the Zigbee Nabucasa ZBT-1 controller to the ZBT-2

Presentation of Nabucasa

Nabucasa logo

Nabucasa is the official manufacturer of the hardware dedicated to Home Assistant, an open source home automation platform that focuses on data privacy. The company offers simple, reliable solutions that are fully compatible with Zigbee, Thread and the emerging Matter standard. These controllers make it possible to centralize the management of all connected home devices directly from Home Assistant, without any dependence on external cloud services, thus guaranteeing total and local control of your home automation installation. Read More

24
Oct, 2025

I'm testing the Lixee-Box from LiXee

What is a LiXee-Box?

The LiXee-Box is an open-source home automation solution designed for monitoring and local management of energy consumption at home. Unlike many market solutions, it does not depend on an external cloud: All data stays on your home network, ensuring total privacy and optimal responsiveness.

This box usually consists of a main module, the ZiWiFi32 Lite, which acts as a central hub, and complementary modules such as the ZlinkyTIC, dedicated to the recovery of data from the Linky counter. It allows real-time measurement of electricity, water and gas consumption (with additional modules, ZiPulses for example), and offers advanced functionalities such as automation, smart load shedding and integration with other home automation systems.

Its open-source firmware and compatibility with open protocols such as MQTT make it a flexible solution, suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The LiXee-Box is ideal for those who want to control their energy consumption while maintaining full control over their data. Read More

10
Oct, 2025

I am testing the smoke detector Zigbee Aqara SD-S01D

I want a model that is simple to install, reliable on a daily basis, and can be integrated into my home automation system. My objective is clear: be alerted quickly, locally (sirene) and remotely (Home Assistant).

In this article, I go around the product: what I receive, how I install it, how I pair it, and what I can automate. I voluntarily remain concrete, with short sentences and simple steps.

🎯 My objectives

I want to secure my home with a connected detector, without depending on a manufacturer app. I also want to monitor the battery and be able to test the device regularly. Finally, I want to trigger home automation actions in the event of an alert (siren, notifications, scenarios).

🔍 I check the received model

  • On the technical sheet : Aqara Smoke Detector SD-S01D (reference also seen as JY-GZ-01AQ according to the shops but I do not know if the JY-GZ-01AQ has a CE).
  • Type of equipment : Autonomous Smoke Detector photoelectric detection.
  • Protocol : Zigbee 3.0.
  • Local alert : integrated siren announced at 85 dB + light alert.
  • Dimensions : ⌀104,6 × 42 mm.
  • Power supply : lithium battery CR17450, voltage indicated 3V (DC 3V).
  • Standard : compliance indicated EN 14604:2005/AC:2008.
  • Conditions of use : temperature 0–40 °C, humidity 0–95% RH (non-condensing).

🛒 Where to buy this equipment?

Here is the link to the page dedicated to the smoke detector Aqara SD-S01D Zigbee.

I listed the sellers and the prices compared.

📦 Unpacking and First Impressions

I get a circular detector with a central button and an LED. I also find a rear mounting plate, a leaflet, a 3M adhesive and a CR17450 battery.

At first contact, I find it cleanly finished. The promise is simple: a modern DAAF, but with a Zigbee layer for alerts and automation.

🔧 Power On / Enclosure Opening

I insert the CR17450 battery and observe the LED sequence. On this model, the LED can go through several colors at start-up (and a slight sound confirms the commissioning). I also note that the button is used for both self-testing and pairing.

I have a habit: I note the installation date now. It will help me to follow the real autonomy.

🏡 Where I install it

I install it in a traffic area, where smoke is likely to be detected early.

I prefer a central location and avoid areas that can distort detection (kitchen too close, steam, dust).

I keep in mind the recommendations to install a DAAF, because it is a safety issue.

🔗 I pair in Zigbee2MQTT

This equipment is well known in the Zigbee2MQTT Database under the name JY-GZ-01AQ

  • I pass Zigbee2MQTT in mode peering.
  • I support 3 times on the ‘Autotest / Test’ button of the detector to start the inclusion.
  • I am monitoring the LED: it can blink to confirm pairing mode.
  • I check that the equipment appears in Zigbee2MQTT with its information and “presentations”.

Once included, I rename the equipment cleanly. I keep a legible name, with the part, to avoid errors in automatisms.

🏠 Integration in Home Assistant

In Home Assistant, I find it via the MQTT integration (if I go through Zigbee2MQTT). I shall immediately check the relevant entities: smoked state, battery level, and especially test commands / possible actions.

Point that I find interesting on this model: I can trigger a self-test and, depending on the integration, pilot the Buzzer part remotely. This is a real plus if I want to validate the correct functioning without climbing a ladder.

I did not specifically delve into the presentation of the exhibitions or the Home Assistant integration, as two very well-made pages have already been put online:

⚙ Automations I am considering

  • Alert : if smoke is detected, I trigger an HA (mobile) notification, turn on red lights, and switch off the VMC if relevant.
  • Evacuation : if there is an alarm, I turn on the corridors in strong white and open the roller shutters (if it is safe at home).
  • Maintenance : I schedule a monthly self-test, and I send a reminder if the battery goes below a threshold.

💬 My opinion after commissioning

✅ Forts: Zigbee 3.0, siren 85 dB, LED tricolor, announced long autonomy, possible integration in Home Assistant via Zigbee2MQTT, and self-test exploitable in home automation.

❌ Weak: a smoke detector remains difficult to ‘validate’ on a daily basis without intrusive tests. And as always in Zigbee, the quality of the network (routers, mesh, placement) can change the experience.

My verdict: For me, the SD-S01D makes sense if I want a connected DAAF, but driven by my home automation ecosystem. I install it, I apprehend it quickly, and I rely on simple automations to increase security.

10
Oct, 2025

I replace the Sonoff ZBMINI with ZBMINIR2

5 reasons to replace ZBMINI with ZBMINIR2

The Sonoff ZBMINIR2 surpasses the ZBMINI in Zigbee stability and compactness to domotize lights and devices. This technical guide details the comparison, my feedback on resolved disconnections, and the precise steps to safely migrate to this reliable module. Find out why this replacement makes any extended Zigbee network reliable. Read More