HowTo_OperateLowCostOutlets

What kind of switch

There are generally five common kinds of outlet switches and two type of light controls

1. "Type A" is configured with a 10 pole DIP switch.
2. "Type B" is configured with two rotary (or sliding) switches with four setting possibilities each.
3. "Type C" is made by Intertechno
4. "Type D" like Status brand learn there RF codes each time they are powered on.
5. "Type E" like ProElec (sold bt RS in the UK) are factory set with codes but can learn new codes
6. "Slampher" these in light sockets made by Sonoff can be controlled via 433mHz they can be programmed to re
7. "Funry" these light switches can be controlled via 433mHz

Type A: 10 pole DIP switches

RCSwitch::switchOn("11001", "01000");

The first parameter represents the setting of the first 5 DIP switches. In this example it's ON-ON-OFF-OFF-ON.

The second parameter represents the setting of the last 5 DIP switches. In this example the last 5 DIP switches are OFF-ON-OFF-OFF-OFF.

#include <RCSwitch.h>

RCSwitch mySwitch = RCSwitch();

void setup() {

  // Transmitter is connected to Arduino Pin #10  
  mySwitch.enableTransmit(10);
  
}

void loop() {

  mySwitch.switchOn("11001", "01000");

  // Wait a second
  delay(1000);
  
  // Switch off
  mySwitch.switchOff("11001", "01000");
  
  // Wait another second
  delay(1000);
  
}

Type B: Two rotary/sliding switches

RCSwitch::switchOn(4, 2);

The first parameter represents the setting of the first rotary switch. In this example it's switched to "4" or "D" or "IV".

The second parameter represents the setting of the second rotary switch. In this example it's switched to "2" or "B" or "II".

#include <RCSwitch.h>

RCSwitch mySwitch = RCSwitch();

void setup() {

  // Transmitter is connected to Arduino Pin #10  
  mySwitch.enableTransmit(10);
  
}

void loop() {

  mySwitch.switchOn(4, 2);

  // Wait a second
  delay(1000);
  
  // Switch off
  mySwitch.switchOff(4, 2);
  
  // Wait another second
  delay(1000);
  
}

Type C: Intertechno

RCSwitch::switchOn('a', 1, 2);

Type D: Status

Status brand units learn their RF codes each time they are powered on. When power is applied to these units the first time they boot into a programming mode and wait for a 433mHz signal. When received they unit can be controlled with the codes programmed. There is no need to program the off code the unit will derive the off code from the on code.

   mySwitch.setProtocol(1);
   mySwitch.setPulseLength(306); 
   mySwitch.setRepeatTransmit(7);
   mySwitch.send("001010011001111101011011");

Type E: ProElec

This brand is sold by RS compoents in the UK are factory set with codes but can learn new codes if you transmit the new code when power is first applied. You will notice the LED flashes for the first 3-5 seconds that power is applied. During this time send a 433mHz signal and the unit will learn the code. The 433mHz signal must be from a ProElect remote once programmed the unit will power on and off via the code used to program the unit at power on time. There is no need to program the off code the unit will derive the off code from the on code.

    mySwitch.setProtocol(1);
    mySwitch.setPulseLength(175);
    mySwitch.setRepeatTransmit(7);
    mySwitch.send("010101010001010100110011");

Slampher these in light sockets made by Sonoff can be controlled via 433mHz they can be programmed to respond to 433mHz control units. I could not get the remote that came with my Slampher to work reliably, however, the Funry codes (see below) worked fine.

Funry" these light switches can be controlled via 433mHz

    mySwitch.setProtocol(1);
    mySwitch.setPulseLength(250);
    mySwitch.setRepeatTransmit(7);
    mySwitch.send(8989656, 24);

#Improving Range and Reliability There are 3 important factors for the range of any 433mHz transmitter/receiver pair

1. Transmitter antenna, the small 433mHz transmitter with onboard antennas have a range of around 10m. This can be increased with an air core antenna. Basically a length of single strand solid copper wire with around 17 turns and a few cms each side. I had issued with range on some old Status units and adding this simple wire antenna to my set up allowed be to cover 2 floors of the house, the stock antenna had trouble covering one large room! More Info here http://forum.elektor.com/download/file.php?id=2428034&sid=e5435be69d352a5ba6e669d3b676cd25

2. Receiver antenna. These are normally sealed in the powered units that control appliance. It's not recommended to open these units, let alone change the circuitry due to the risk that you might short out the main voltages inside the unit.

3. Transmit code. Use the sample receiver demo for RCSwitch to grab a FEW SAMPLES of the code you want to replicate. Then set the pulse length to match what you see. e.g mySwitch.setPulseLength(306); also try setting the Repeat count e.g. mySwitch.setRepeatTransmit(7); It's with adding a delay of at least 2 seconds AFTER each transmit command when testing. For batch commands, you can then reduce this to a lower value. Remember if you are powering devices on and off make sure you don't do this too frequently as the power spikes can damage equipment and wear out relays. It's also worth checking the rating on units BEFORE you use them!