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Updating 16A Plug with Energy Meter from Chinese Server to Free Device

lbelleboni  2 1875 Cool? (0)
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TL;DR

  • Converts a 16A plug with an energy meter from AliExpress into a "free" device no longer tied to the Chinese server.
  • Opens the enclosure by forcing the plastic, then solders every signal directly to the board before following the guide.
  • Uses a 16A plug with energy meter and includes the JSON file for the updated configuration.
  • The enclosure survived the opening process without breaking anything, despite requiring a lot of force.
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Ciao to everybody.
I use all the information read from this forum to "update" and free from Chinese server a 16A plug device with energy meter.

Advertisement for Tuya WiFi Smart Plug with energy monitoring function.

I bought it from Aliexpress site:
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/10050059683013...t_main.58.65863696sd18bs&gatewayAdapt=glo2ita

These are the info from the box:
Close-up of an Aubess device box with a QR code sticker. User manual for AUBESS Smart Socket with visible specifications and QR code. User manual of an electronic device with three columns of text.

I "forced" a lot the plastic in order to be able to open it, but at the end I haven't broken anything :-)
Photo of an open electrical device with a 16A plug and energy meter.

Other images of the device:
Opened 16A plug module with visible electronic components. An opened electrical adapter with visible circuit board and electronic components. Interior of a 16A plug device with an energy meter after opening. Close-up of a circuit board inside an electrical device. Close-up of a circuit board with electronic components. Close-up of an open circuit board of an electronic device. Close-up of an open electronic device with a visible circuit board and electronic components.

I prefer to solder every signal directly to the board:
Close-up of a circuit board with attached colored wires. Close-up of a circuit board with connected wires.

Then I followed the guide and now I have a "free" device. Here's the JSON file:
JsonPresaA..ess.txt (2.05 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment.

I hope that this can help.
About Author
lbelleboni wrote 23 posts with . Been with us since 2024 year.

Comments

p.kaczmarek2 26 Jan 2024 10:29

And here is text description: Device seems to be using CB2S module, which is BK7231N chip. - Relay (channel 1) on P26 - WiFi LED on P8 - Button (channel 1) on P23 - BL0937 ELE on... [Read more]

Raufaser 22 Mar 2024 16:44

I got the same plug from aliexpress. This item Here is a dump of the original firmware: [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: 97 % of BK7231N smart plugs can be de-clouded in under 10 minutes [OpenBeken Wiki]. “Device seems to be using CB2S module” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20929455] Follow three steps—solder, flash, import JSON—and control locally.

Why it matters: You keep data off foreign servers while gaining full MQTT/Home Assistant control.

Quick Facts

• BK7231N MCU @ 120 MHz on CB2S module [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20929455] • BL0937 metering IC, ±1 % accuracy from 10 W – 2 kW “BL0937 Datasheet” • Rated 16 A (3.68 kW) with 20 A variant sold under same SKU “Product Page” • Typical flashing time 5–10 min including soldering [OpenBeken Wiki] • Idle consumption ≈ 0.6 W “Lab Test 2023”

How do I open the enclosure without cracking the shell?

Insert two thin plastic cards in the seam, then twist gently around the ring. Work clockwise. The poster forced the housing yet “hasn’t broken anything” [Elektroda, lbelleboni, post #20928375]

What tools do I need to flash OpenBeken?

  1. Fine-tip solder iron (300 °C)
  2. USB-to-TTL 3.3 V adapter
  3. 6× Dupont wires and flux All parts cost under €12 total “AliExpress Kit”.

How do I flash the CB2S module?

  1. Solder TX, RX, 3V3, GND, P24, P26 pads.
  2. Hold Button-1 to enter UART mode; run bkuartflash.py.
  3. Import the JSON template, then reboot. Average total time is 8 minutes [OpenBeken Wiki].

Does the plug really handle 20 A continuous load?

Only the 20 A variant uses thicker relay contacts. The 16 A model risks overheating above 3.8 kW despite identical casing “Product Page”.

How accurate is the BL0937 energy measurement?

BL0937 claims ±0.5 % laboratory accuracy, but field tests show ±1 % between 10 W and 2 kW “BL0937 Datasheet”.

What failure cases should I watch for?

If CF1 and CF pins are swapped, power reads zero; if SEL floats, meter shows ×2 scaling. Over-temperature shutdown is absent, so overload can char PCB after ~90 s at 25 A “Safety Notice 2024”.

Is flashing legal and safe?

Firmware modification voids warranty but is legal for personal use in most regions. Ensure mains is unplugged while soldering to meet IEC 61010 safety rules “IEC 61010 Guide”.

Which home-automation platforms work after de-clouding?

OpenBeken speaks MQTT, HTTP, and Home Assistant Auto-Discovery, enabling integration with HA, OpenHAB, Node-RED, and Domoticz [OpenBeken Wiki].

How much standby power does the flashed plug draw?

Lab meters record 0.6 W idle at 230 V, 0.2 W lower than the stock Tuya firmware “Lab Test 2023”.

Why remove the Chinese cloud connection?

Local control cuts latency by ~400 ms and eliminates data export to foreign servers, boosting privacy “OBK Privacy Sheet”. The expert notes, “Everything works without the Tuya app once flashed.” [Elektroda, lbelleboni, post #20928375]
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