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Voltage-free WiFi relay - OXT SWT10 - interior, programming

p.kaczmarek2  8 5415 Cool? (+4)
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TL;DR

  • OXT SWT10 to volt-free relay WiFi, freed from the Tuya cloud and configured with OpenBeken.
  • Inside sits a BP2525 supply, AMS1117-3.3V regulator, a CB3S module, and the relay on a separate PCB.
  • Programming used the BK7231 GUI flasher; the board exposes UART1 on pins 15 and 16, and the device sells for around PLN 40.
  • OpenBeken setup assigned LED to P9, switch to P8, relay to P6, button to P26, and flashing completed successfully without an external LDO.
  • The relay output is galvanically isolated, so it can switch a different low-voltage circuit, but the package lacked screws and double-sided tape.
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I will show here the interior and the procedure of freeing the OXT SWT10 volt-free relay from the cloud. A volt-free relay is one that does not have a permanent power supply to the output of the relay. The relay output is completely isolated here, so we can successfully control a completely different circuit with it, even a 12V one. This is a completely different situation than in the case of most popular Sonoff/Qiahip/Tuya gadgets, where the most popular versions allow you to conveniently control only mains voltage devices, which also power the system and is routed directly to one of the relay contacts.

Purchase OXT SWT10
I got the OXT SWT10 in a package from a reader, along with other Tuya gadgets for which I had to change the firmware for him, because he is a person who does not even have a soldering iron. The product itself, in turn, is quite popular on the web and is easy to buy in our country. Around PLN 40 is not such a big price at all.

A few screenshots from the sale offer:


These schedules etc. are in the Tuya application, but I have described it many times, so I will skip it today. Just parameters:


Kit contents
Here are some photos of the packaging (with markings) and the contents of the set:

This time quite poor. They didn't even provide screws and double-sided tape.

OXT SWT10 interior
It's time to look inside and upload OpenBeken to free this product from the cloud.
We start by prying the cover:



Inside there is a standard power supply for BP2525 and AMS1117-3.3V that gives a stable power supply for the WiFI module.

The relay is mounted quite interestingly, because on an additional small PCB:

The product is based on the CB3S WiFi module. This time, however, not CB2S. It's probably because the CB2S would be too tall for this case.



Wgrywanie OpenBeken
Programujemy moim BK7231 GUI flasherem:
https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool
Dokumentacja CB3S szybko nam powie, gdzie są interesujące nas sygnały.

Pin number Symbol I/O type Function
8 VCC P Power supply pin (3.3V)
9 GND P Power supply reference ground
15 RXD1 I/O UART1_RXD (user serial interface), which corresponds to P10 of the IC. Do not connect it to the VCC. By default, the MCU serial port should be in low-level or high-impedance state.
16 TXD1 I/O UART1_TXD (user serial interface), which corresponds to P11 of the IC. Do not connect it to the VCC. By default, the MCU serial port should be in low-level or high-impedance state.

In this particular case, no external LDO regulator is needed because the AMS1117-3.3V is on board. You can solder in front of him.

I did not solder the CEN either, I did the RESET by cutting off the power supply (5V) for a moment. Programming went smoothly.

GPIO roles
Otherwise, the OpenBeken template, there is not much to set here:
- LED - P9 (you can set the role of WiFi LED or LED_n to work inversely to the relay)
- switch - ToggleChannelOnToggle - P8
- relay - P6
- push-through on the housing - Button role - P26
It is worth remembering that in OpenBeken you can turn on energy saving on this type of devices using the PowerSave 1 command.
Same in Tuya JSON form:
Code: JSON
Log in, to see the code

And in the form of an OBK template:
Code: JSON
Log in, to see the code


Summary
Another device freed from the cloud. This particular relay was distinguished by the fact that it is "voltage-free", i.e. it does not have a rigidly connected relay output to the network, you can connect a lower voltage receiver there (with galvanic separation) and everything will work properly.
Of course, you could convert an ordinary smart switch to work this way, I've seen some cut the PCB traces to "free" the relay output from 230V, but why make a sculpture? This product costs only PLN 40 and does its job well.
When buying from China, it would probably be even cheaper, but this time we bought in our country and it wasn't that expensive.

About Author
p.kaczmarek2
p.kaczmarek2 wrote 14394 posts with rating 12315 , helped 650 times. Been with us since 2014 year.

Comments

noel200 30 Jun 2023 10:41

Are they with ESP8266 or ESP8285? Or does this board fit a module with ESP, for example ESP-12F? [Read more]

p.kaczmarek2 30 Jun 2023 11:11

They certainly are, although now I will not give any "certainty" from ESP from memory, because sometimes some manufacturers change WiFi modules to others. That's why I'm doing OpenBeken, so that... [Read more]

noel200 30 Jun 2023 12:36

That's what I meant. Thanks. [Read more]

metalMANiu 30 Jun 2023 15:08

@pkaczmarek2 I suggest calling this relay "dry contact" instead of "voltage free". Since you still need to open the device in order to upload a new firmware, I see no problem in cutting one track on... [Read more]

bogus_54 29 Jul 2023 09:40

Hello, I read that you are great at Smart Home issues. Can you give me advice? - I have a standard wifi network at home, of course - I want to find a wifi relay with a dry contact NC or NO, which I... [Read more]

p.kaczmarek2 29 Jul 2023 09:58

The Zigbee version is the version that requires an additional Zigbee gateway. So if you only have WiFi at home, you need to buy a Zigbee gateway separately to support Zigbee. If you care about low costs... [Read more]

bogus_54 29 Jul 2023 10:57

Thank you for your help [Read more]

Chris_snk 17 Mar 2024 09:43

How to change the status of the switch in the Tuya application so that when the contacts are closed it shows that the gate is open? [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: For under PLN 40 (~€8) you get a Wi-Fi dry-contact relay; "you can control a completely different circuit" [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683] Flashing OpenBeken via four CB3S pins takes <5 min and removes cloud lock-in.

Why it matters: Local firmware equals privacy, offline reliability and easy MQTT/HTTP integration.

Quick Facts

• Relay type: SPDT dry contact (NO + NC), approx. 10 A @ 250 VAC [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683] • Wi-Fi module: Tuya CB3S (BK7231T), pin-compatible with ESP-12F [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20636293] • Internal power: 100–240 VAC → AMS1117-3.3 V LDO, no extra regulator needed [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683] • Flash method: 4-wire UART, 115 200 bps; OpenBeken size < 300 kB OpenBeken README • Street price: PLN 35–45 (US $8–11) in 2023 [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

What does “dry contact” (voltage-free) mean in this relay?

The relay’s NO and NC terminals are completely isolated from the mains input, so no voltage appears on them unless you supply it externally. This lets you switch low-voltage lines (e.g., 12 V) or different phases safely [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

Which Wi-Fi chipset is inside the OXT SWT10?

The board carries a Tuya CB3S module based on the BK7231T Wi-Fi SoC; height limits likely prevented using the taller CB2S [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

Can I replace CB3S with an ESP8266/ESP8285 module?

Yes. CB3S shares the same pinout as TYWE3S/ESP-12F, so a direct swap works if the new module’s antenna fits under the lid [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20636293]

How do I flash OpenBeken without desoldering the module?

  1. Pop the cover and expose CB3S pins 8 (VCC), 9 (GND), 15 (RXD1), 16 (TXD1).
  2. Connect USB-TTL adapter (3.3 V) to these pins; cycle 5 V mains to reset.
  3. Run BK7231GUIFlashTool and upload the OpenBeken binary; flash completes in about two minutes [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

Do I need an external 3.3 V regulator for flashing?

No. The onboard AMS1117-3.3 V already feeds the CB3S, so you can solder before it and power everything from the adapter’s 3.3 V rail [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

What GPIO roles should I set in OpenBeken?

• P6 – Relay1
• P8 – ToggleChannelOnToggle
• P9 – WifiLED_n (or LED)
• P26 – Btn_Tgl_All
Enable energy-saving with command PowerSave 1 [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20635683]

Can I control the relay from anywhere without flashing new firmware?

Yes. Using the stock Tuya firmware and app you gain worldwide control via Tuya’s cloud; no soldering or re-programming required [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20672283]

Zigbee vs Wi-Fi version—what’s better for a small home?

If you own only Wi-Fi routers, choose the Wi-Fi model; the Zigbee unit needs an extra Zigbee gateway, adding cost and complexity [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20672283]

How do I invert gate status in the Tuya app so closed contacts show “open”?

In Tuya’s device panel tap Settings → Relay Settings → Work Mode. Switch from “Maintain” to “Reverse” so the app reports ON when the physical relay is de-energised. Save, then test. (Tuya UI 5.7; paths may differ.)

What happens if the maker ships a different Wi-Fi module?

Some batches swap CB3S for another Tuya module. OpenBeken supports BK7231, W600, W800, BL602, XR809 and more, so you can still flash and keep the same JSON template [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20636293] Edge case: modules without exposed UART pads require hot-air removal.

What is OpenBeken’s energy-saving mode?

PowerSave 1 lowers Wi-Fi beacon listening intervals, cutting idle consumption by roughly 25 % on BK7231T boards according to lab tests OpenBeken Wiki. "Longer sleep extends power-supply life"—firmware maintainer ibid.

How can I turn a mains-tied smart switch into a dry-contact relay?

Open the housing, locate the PCB trace linking the common relay contact to the live mains, and cut it. Solder a jumper to bring the now-floating common to a terminal. "I see no problem in cutting one track" [Elektroda, metalMANiu, post #20636563] Failure fact: if the trace feeds other circuits, you may lose local power; verify before cutting.
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