{"id":1344,"date":"2023-04-09T21:39:53","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T02:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/?p=1344"},"modified":"2023-04-09T21:41:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T02:41:27","slug":"controlling-relays-with-home-assistant-and-esphome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/controlling-relays-with-home-assistant-and-esphome\/","title":{"rendered":"Controlling relays with Home Assistant and ESPHome"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"affiliate-disclaimer\">I hope that the products recommended here will help you build great projects. Just so you know, if you buy through the links on this page on Amazon or Banggood (among others), RobotsBench may get a small share of the sale (as an Amazon affilate, I earn from qualifying purchases). This helps to keep the site alive and allow me to write more articles. Thank you!<\/div>\n<p>I&#8217;ve been looking at the best way to control relays using Home Assistant. My husband wanted an automated garage door opener, but something harder to hack than the average remote control and that we could remove in the summer when we&#8217;re not using it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-container-3 wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-column\">\n<p>It could be done with a few smart plugs, but it would have been a mess of wires. Also, like in our case, if you already have bare wires or are handling DC power it&#8217;s more convenient to just plug your wires in a terminal and put everything in a box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m also looking to reuse this for a few outdoor projects, and our WiFi network with an outdoor antenna has a lot more range than our ZigBee network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ESPHome platform already has all the necessary software elements to drive a board with a few relay, but no complete board with both an ESP8266 chip and the relay were available. I wanted something cleaner than that, so I set out to build my own PCB.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-com-cindypotvin-cp-aside-gutenberg-block cp-aside-gutenberg-block-content\"><p>The PCB in the picture has a bug fix with the two yellow wires. I used the Flash Data pins by mistake for the relays and the board kept rebooting. To keep things confusing, it would randomly work for a bit, or work with only one relay. <\/p><p>I was able to cut the traces and reroute to the pins 12 and 13 with a jumper wire, which are safe pins according to the ESPHome documentation (<a href=\"https:\/\/esphome.io\/components\/esp8266.html\">https:\/\/esphome.io\/components\/esp8266.html<\/a>).<\/p><p>The versions of the circuit shown here and on GitHub (<a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/CindyPotvin\/WifiRelayESPHome\">https:\/\/github.com\/CindyPotvin\/WifiRelayESPHome<\/a>) have the working pinout.<\/p><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2>The hardware for the ESPHome relay board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The circuit itself has 3 main blocks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The ESP8266 with its basic programming setup and reset switches, same as I had on my <a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/esphome-temperature-and-humidity-sensor-with-home-assistant\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1232\">temperature\/humidity sensor boards<\/a>. I like to use the ESP-12F for this since they&#8217;re relatively easy to solder to a PCB with a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/41czExJ\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/41czExJ\">hot air rework station<\/a>. The ESP-12F boards are not always totally flat, but it&#8217;s nothing an extra bit of solder can&#8217;t solve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"518\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image.png 518w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-300x230.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>I used the same MCP1702 voltage regular as my other project. It takes anything from 2.7V to 13.2V and outputs 3.3V, so most power supplies from my junk pile will work. I have the same barrel jack size as Arduino boards so I only need to keep one size around.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"302\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2.png 302w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-2-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 302px) 100vw, 302px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The main part is the relay setup, with a transistor to help trigger it since the current from the ESP-12F is really low. The relay I choose can switch a max of 250 VAC or 125 VDC, so it can work for a wide range of projects. The circuit includes a LED that lights up when the relay is triggered, and a diode on the coil to protect the rest of the circuit from noise when the relay is cut off.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"543\" height=\"328\" src=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-1.png 543w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-1-300x181.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 543px) 100vw, 543px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Finally, here is the finished PCB layout. I have large traces between the relay and the terminal block that can take up to 5A at the maximum voltage for the circuit (so less than the rating for the relay at 10A). More than this would require wires under the board; the required traces would be too wide to fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also changed the location of a few part in that version version since I had to rewire the relay pins anyway: I moved the barrel jack at the bottom and added mounting holes. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"588\" height=\"822\" src=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3.png 588w, https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image-3-215x300.png 215w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Setting up ESPHome with the relay board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m not going to go through the whole ESPHome setup and programming flow here, you can refer to the excellent documentation ESPHome site for this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I usually program by plugging the board to my laptop: the PCB has a FTDI header to connect via USB. The board must boot with the switch in the &#8220;program&#8221; position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your ESP8266 board is setup in ESPHome, you&#8217;ll need to add some extra info to set the relays before programming it. You&#8217;ll tell ESPHome that the device on the pin we use behaves like a switch, and give it a name for the Home Assistant entity. The <em>inverted<\/em> configuration allows you to set the relay to be <em>on<\/em> or <em>off<\/em> by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>switch:\n  - platform: gpio\n    name: \"Board 1 relay 1\"\n    pin:\n      number: 12\n      inverted: false\n  - platform: gpio\n    name: \"Board 1 relay 2\"\n    pin:\n      number: 13\n      inverted: false<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;re done programming in ESPHome, you must switch the board back in &#8220;run&#8221; mode and reset it so it will execute the ESPHome code. It will then show up in Home Assistant as an entity under the &#8220;ESPHome&#8221; device and you can add it and use it like any other switch device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the full schematic, PCB layout and parts list, you can check out the KiCad Project here: <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/CindyPotvin\/WifiRelayESPHome\">https:\/\/github.com\/CindyPotvin\/WifiRelayESPHome<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I hope that the products recommended here will help you build great projects. Just so you know, if you buy through the links on this page on Amazon or Banggood (among others), RobotsBench may get a small share of the sale (as an Amazon affilate, I earn from qualifying purchases). This helps to keep the &#8230; <a title=\"Controlling relays with Home Assistant and ESPHome\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/controlling-relays-with-home-assistant-and-esphome\/\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Controlling relays with Home Assistant and ESPHome<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1354,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Describes my custom PCB built to controls relays using ESPHome and Home Assistant, to use in projects such as automated garage door openers.","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[6,139,108],"tags":[103,92,98,140,132],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446.jpg",2048,1536,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1024x768.jpg",1024,768,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1536x1152.jpg",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446.jpg",2048,1536,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>I hope that the products recommended here will help you build great projects. Just so you know, if you buy through the links on this page on Amazon or Banggood (among others), RobotsBench may get a small share of the sale (as an Amazon affilate, I earn from qualifying purchases). This helps to keep the site alive and allow me to write more articles. Thank you! I&#8217;ve been looking at the best way to control relays using Home Assistant. My husband wanted an automated garage door opener, but something harder to hack than the average remote control and that we&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/circuit-boards-pcb\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Circuit Boards (PCB)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/home-automation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Home Automation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/products\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Products<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Cindy","url":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/author\/cindyptn\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446.jpg",2048,1536,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1024x768.jpg",1024,768,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446-1536x1152.jpg",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230301_120446.jpg",2048,1536,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>I hope that the products recommended here will help you build great projects. Just so you know, if you buy through the links on this page on Amazon or Banggood (among others), RobotsBench may get a small share of the sale (as an Amazon affilate, I earn from qualifying purchases). This helps to keep the site alive and allow me to write more articles. Thank you! I&#8217;ve been looking at the best way to control relays using Home Assistant. My husband wanted an automated garage door opener, but something harder to hack than the average remote control and that we&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/circuit-boards-pcb\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Circuit Boards (PCB)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/home-automation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Home Automation<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/category\/products\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Products<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Cindy","url":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/author\/cindyptn\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1344"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1363,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1344\/revisions\/1363"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robotsbench.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}