6
Jan, 2026

I'm testing the rain detector ZG-223Z

I need to monitor the rain around my house to protect my laundry, my blinds and my watering. So I chose the Zigbee rain sensor ZG-223Z, a small module that detects rain and measures illumination. Its big interest is to operate locally via Zigbee2MQTT, without depending on a cloud weather service or a full weather station.

🎯 My objectives

I just want to know if it is really raining at home, not 20 km away, and use this info in my home automation scenarios. My goal is to cut off the watering as soon as it rains, automatically close some openings, and receive an alert if a shower arrives while the laundry is drying outside. The ZG-223Z promises a binary “it's raining / it's not raining” return and brightness measurement, perfect for reliable automations. 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.

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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

19
Jul, 2025

I am testing the Smart Watering Valve L14 We

🧪 I test the watering valve L14 We

Watering valve L14 We

It all starts one morning when I want to pilot the pool filling, even remotely. I receive the Connected valve L14 from We. Quickly, I unpacks the package, I analyse each technical detail, then Iintegrates the valve in Zigbee2MQTT and Home Assistant. Then I realize a real flow meter audit (you will see, the history of the gallons is worth a visit!).

Finally, I make a Lovelace Card ready to use, then I take stock after several watering sessions and a complete filling of the pool.

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24
Apr, 2025

I am testing the temperature sensor Humidity Zigbee Moes KCTW1Z-02

🔍 I check the received model

The technical sheet indicates the model ZSS-KB-TH-LF-C-MS. On the cardboard, it is written in tiny and almost illegible, but on the back of the sensor, the model is perfectly visible:

Model inscribed on the back of the sensor

Good surprise: the battery is included. So I can test the sensor immediately, without having to buy a specific model. The supplied battery is new, protected by a tab.

Zigbee sensor and battery

Zigbee sensor front

Installation is very simple: the sensor stands, sits on a piece of furniture or sticks to the wall with the supplied double-sided (or not depending on the batch). I have nothing to break through: it is clean and reversible.

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12
Apr, 2025

I test the sensor opening Door/Window Zigbee Moes ZSS-GWM-C

🔍 I check the received model

On the cardboard, it is impossible to read the reference – they dared gray on gray gradient! It is unreadable, so I advise you to check the model on the seller’s website before purchasing.

View of the cardboard sensor opening Moes

Fortunately, on the back of the case, the reference is clearly legible. Checking the information on the product received is essential to ensure that it matches the order.

Legible model on the back

Good news: the battery is included, allowing the sensor to be tested immediately without any additional purchase. The battery is new, protected by a tongue.

Zigbee aperture sensor and battery Read More