How to Build a 5-Channel Smart Switch Compatible With Alexa
To make a home smart, you need smart switches and sensors to control over Wi-Fi, RF, or Zigbee connections. There are several brands that offer smart switches that you can simply unbox and deploy using their cloud services.
But if you want to build a smart home that is completely private, you don’t want to rely on a third party. You never know when they might close down their cloud services. Thus, security and reliability are big concerns. Fortunately, building smart switches that work with Alexa and smart home automation software, such as Home Assistant, is quite easier.
What You Need to Build a Smart Switch
Let’s say you want to build a 5-channel smart switch that you may use to control up to 5 different devices of up to ~2 amps at 220V or 110V. To build this smart switch, you will need the following:
We have already designed the PCB and did the hard part (new and improved). All you need to do isdownload the Gerber file, which you can use to get your PCBs printed or fabricated from any PCB manufacturer or supplier. FYI, we got 10 PCBs fabricated for $7 and paid $5 for shipping.
Solder the Components on the PCB
Mount all the components on the PCB as shown on the PCB. You may also use general PCB and follow the connection diagram shared below to manually mount and solder all the components.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
Do not mount and solder the D1 Mini directly to the PCB. Follow these instructions to mount D1 Mini on the PCB.
This will help you quickly disconnect or replace D1 Mini if it goes bad.
If you don’t know or never soldered before, we highly recommend that youlearn how to solderbefore proceeding.
Flash the Firmware
Once the components are mounted and soldered on the PCB, follow these steps to download, flash and configure the firmware on the D1 Mini to control the 5-Solid State relay on the board.
If you want, you could also builda single-channel solid-state relayorDIY Alexa-supported single-channel smart switch.
Configure the DIY Smart Switch
Once the Tasmota Web Interface (Web UI) opens, follow the below steps to configure the 5-switches for Wi-Fi and Alexa control.
Enable Alexa Support
To control this smart 5-channel smart switch with Alexa, follow these steps:
Add to Home Assistant
To add this DIY smart switch to Home Assistant (HA), you need to enable the MQTT on Home Assistant and then enter the MQTT details via the Tasmota Web UI by following these steps:
Deploy Noiseless DIY & Private Smart Switches
You can build and use this 5-channel smart switch to control your fan, lights, or any other home appliances that require up to 200-300 watts of power. Since we have built this switch with Solid-State Relays (SSR), this switch will work silently with no clicking noise. Besides, you can control them locally even if there’s no internet or, if you are connected to the internet, from anywhere in the world using the Alexa app.
Build your own DIY dimmer circuit with zero-crossing detection to make any traditional light or AC mains device smarter.
Sometimes the smallest cleaning habit makes the biggest mess.
You’ve been quoting these famous films wrong all along!
When your rival has to bail out your assistant.
Now, I actually finish the books I start.
Goodbye sending links via other apps.
