Question 1

Anyone managed to get these switches working with home assistant?

Accepted Answer

I've flashed mine with tasmota

Question 2

Will the switches still work if internet / WiFi goes down?

Accepted Answer

That's a good question, one I've not checked (yet). Mechanically they would still work without WiFi or Internet. You push the button and it clicks. Lose the WiFi and I would anticipate that all the smart features would stop, so no remote operation, they would ignore Alexa, Google,Siri etc. They just become a switch. Lose the Internet, but the WiFi still works,  hmm that's the one that has me in a quandary. I'd expect them still to stay semi smart as long a the devices are all on the same network but you might lose the phone app control. If all the devices rely on the SonOff cloud server to integrate together then your back to dumb switches in afraid. I wouldn't have thought the latter to be true because I have a SonOff NS panel controlling my M5 and the lag on the response is very short. I'm sure if the panel had to talk to the Internet for every On/Off command the reaction would be slower. I'll try it soon, I have to configure my lights downstairs as I'm adding a new switch, so will see what happens if I turn off the Internet and report back (if I can edit this answer)

Question 3

If i have a light connected to two or three different switches,do i need to make all the switches smart?  or can i just add one smart switch per light

Accepted Answer

Best to consult an electrician for your individual circumstances but yes, this may be possible. Sonoff do also offer an intermediate switch with L1 and L2 terminals on their website but I haven't seen where/how to buy these yet. You can use this on one switch but the other switch in such a circuit could then overide the smart switch. My answer in the meantime has been to put in an emergency light switch on one of the switches and make the other the master so it can be controlled via the app, but in an emergency, the other switch can still overide it with a key if needed.

Question 4

can you dim the lights with the app with these smart switches

Accepted Answer

From looking through to double check, there is no specific dimming function to these switches, they merely turn the light on or off. You can do this remotely from a smart device, schedule the switch to go on and off and work it via the app or via amazon Alexa, you can even adjust the brightness of the indicator LED on the switch itself, but I can't see any function to dim in the app. However there is an "inching" function which I don't know anything about but the app for these switches is called eWeLink on the playstore if that helps?

Manufacturer	SONOFF
Part number	M5-3C-86
Item Weight	156 g
Product Dimensions	86 x 86 x 41.4 cm; 156 g
Item model number	M5-3C-86
Size	M5-3C-86
Power source type	Corded Electric
Wattage	1320 watts
Item Package Quantity	1
Switch Type	1-way
Batteries included?	No
Batteries Required?	No

SONOFF Smart Mechanical Light Switch, 2.4GHz WiFi 3 Gang, Neutral Wire Required, Compatible With Alexa and Google Home, M5 86 Type, M5-3C-86

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