Teardown Action LSC Smart Power Strip 3202887 AL E24748 CB3S - 4 independent switchable sockets

mtb1007 24 Dec 2024 13:29 9 3177 Cool? (+9)

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As sold in the Action stores (NL, Dec 2024). First some images:

The device can be successfully used with OpenBeken, but requires some DIY skills to open the housing without damage.

BIG FAT WARNING: the electronics inside the power strip are directly connected to the 230V mains lines, without any isolation!
Keep the mains plug disconnected during the whole operation!

First, remove the 8 rubber feet (they pull out very easily):

Next, you'll find screws with a completely flat head surface. For the rest, they are normal self-tapping plastic screws:

So, how to get them out? As first attempt, I tried to drill them out. This ruined the plastic housing around the screws so badly, that it was almost impossible to reassemble the power strip again.

The second plan worked better: get an (old) metal drill bit (ca 4 mm diameter) and an electric grinding stone. Grind down the head of the drill bit, and create an 'opposite' cutting surface. In other words, let's create a left-turning drill.

Stick some tape around the drill, so it won't damage the 'shaft' of the screw hole with its sides (we only need the tip of the drill).
Carefully place the drill in the center of the screw head, so it doesn't touch the side walls. Start drilling (counterclockwise of course) and keep the drill centered, away from the sides.
At first, the drill will start eating some of the screw head, that's fine. At some point it will get enough grip, so that it starts turning the screw. Once the screw gets halfway out, the drill is more likely to hit the side walls, so keep it centered!

Once the screws are out, the inside shows some wiring strips, a mains-powered PCB with 4 miniature relays and a CB3S module, and a separate PCB strip along the sockets, which holds the 4 LEDs:

Note the grooves in the ball joint at the end of the cable. When reassembling the housing, this groove must point straight up and down, so they align with two notches in the housing halves.

Make some temporary solder connections to the 1st, 2nd and last pin of the top row, and the last pin of the bottom row:

And connect them to a 3.3V TTL serial interface:

Colors don't matter, but in these pictures:
- black: Gnd
- red: +3.3V
- purple: Tx (smart plug) to Rx (PC)
- yellow: Tx (PC) to Rx (smart plug)

Some hints for flashing OBK:
- When the flashing software asks for a device reset, you can shortly pull and re-plug the red wire.
- This didn't work reliably for me. Instead, you can also momentarily connect pin 1 of the CB3S module (its reset input) to Gnd:

Device configuration:

As JSON:

Finally: when reassembling, use normal screws :-)

I used 'tapping screws 2.9x16mm', but 2.9x13mm will probably also fit fine.

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mtb1007 wrote 3 posts with rating 10 . Been with us since 2024 year.

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p.kaczmarek2 24 Dec 2024 15:01

It's certainly an interesting device, I don't remember seeing an Action-branded power strip yet. By the way, you can also script the button to control each of the socket on given single click, dbl click,... [Read more]

gulson 24 Dec 2024 21:16

I will post here an interesting comment from Facebook under the article: "A hint perhaps obvious, but explaining why the circuit may "not reset" when Vcc is unplugged. Namely, the high state on the Tx... [Read more]

p.kaczmarek2 24 Dec 2024 22:23

Good point, I even discussed this in a separate topic: Microcontroller works without power supply connected? We are running on GND and UART alone, a conundrum. . Also a good point, many Tuya... [Read more]

divadiow 25 Dec 2024 07:20

cool. it seems this device is also here https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=21264621#21264621 [Read more]

p.kaczmarek2 25 Dec 2024 09:09

I like the fact that this strip uses the CB3S module rather than the CB2S. There are more free pins. You could consider adding something in there, at least a sensor from the DHT series, such as the DHT11.... [Read more]

austin007 25 Dec 2024 11:17

Interesting description. I used to drill such flat screws but the drill was on a tripod. With success. I don't know , why do they do this? EU regulations, does this give something to the manufacturer?... [Read more]

mtb1007 25 Dec 2024 13:46

Thanks for all feedback! This is indeed the same device as https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic4080696.html#21264621. That post also mentions a nice way of opening the anti-tamper screws! The... [Read more]

erikwouterson 01 Jan 2025 16:11

Hi All, Not sure if I need to post this as a new device ? Just finished modifying the LEDVANCE AC32646 and thought to post it in the Teardown section. To my surprise someone else did it to what... [Read more]

d0np3p3 19 Feb 2026 14:00

@erikwouterson Hello did you make a dump of firmware? Could you post your config? I will try cloudcutter for this device. [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: This FAQ helps OpenBeken modders flash a 4-socket Action LSC Smart Power Strip safely. It covers 4 independent relays, CB3S UART wiring, and the main hazard: "no isolation" from 230V mains inside the strip. It also shows how to remove the flat anti-tamper screws without destroying the housing. [#21361104]

Why it matters: This thread turns a hard-to-open Tuya power strip into a documented OpenBeken target, while making the mains-safety limits explicit.

Variant	Module / platform	Outlets or ports discussed	Modding note
Action LSC 3202887	CB3S / BK7231N	4 independently switchable sockets	Full pin map and UART flashing points were posted
Typical CB2S strip	CB2S	Not specified in this thread	Fewer free pins for extra GPIO ideas
LEDVANCE AC32646 variant	OpenBK7231T firmware mentioned	4 AC sockets + 2 USB-A + 2 USB-C	Reported as very similar hardware family

Key insight: The most important takeaway is safety: this strip can run OpenBeken well, but its internal electronics sit directly on mains-related circuitry, so opening, wiring, and debugging demand strict isolation habits and unplugged handling. [#21361104]

Quick Facts

The housing hides 8 rubber feet and uses flat-head anti-tamper screws; replacing them with 2.9×16 mm or 2.9×13 mm normal tapping screws simplifies future service. [#21361104]
The flashed strip uses a CB3S module based on BK7231N, with 4 relay channels and one Pair/Toggle All button on P10. [#21361104]
UART flashing was done with a 3.3 V TTL adapter using 4 temporary solder wires on the module header; the mains plug stayed disconnected during the whole operation. [#21361104]
With all 4 channels ON, the strip was reported to heat up noticeably; enabling PowerSave 1 kept functionality intact and may reduce heating. [#21361967]

How do I open the Action LSC Smart Power Strip 3202887 with flat anti-tamper screws without damaging the housing?

Use a modified left-cutting drill instead of drilling the screws out normally. 1. Pull out the 8 rubber feet and expose the flat screw heads. 2. Grind an old 4 mm drill bit into a counterclockwise cutter and wrap tape around its sides. 3. Keep the bit centered so it bites the screw head and backs the screw out without chewing the plastic. A normal drill-out attempt damaged the housing badly enough to make reassembly difficult. [#21361104]

What is the correct OpenBeken pin configuration for the LSC Smart Power Strip 3202887 with the CB3S module and 4 independent relays?

The posted Tuya extraction maps Relay 1 to P14, Relay 2 to P6, Relay 3 to P7, and Relay 4 to P8. The Pair/Toggle All button is on P10, and the Wi-Fi LED is on P23. The module is identified as CB3S, which uses BK7231N, and the device exposes 4 independent channels for the sockets. [#21361104]

Which UART pins and 3.3V TTL wiring do I need to use to flash OpenBeken onto the CB3S inside this Action power strip?

Solder to 4 points: the 1st, 2nd, and last pin of the top row, plus the last pin of the bottom row. Then connect them to a 3.3 V TTL adapter as GND, +3.3 V, TX from the strip to RX on the PC, and TX from the PC to RX on the strip. The wire colors shown were black, red, purple, and yellow, but the colors themselves do not matter. [#21361104]

Why does the CB3S sometimes fail to reset when I unplug Vcc during flashing, and how does the UART Tx line keep the circuit partially powered?

The reset can fail because the USB-UART converter’s TX line can still feed the circuit after Vcc is removed. A commenter explained that the converter’s high TX state flows through the input pin into the strip’s supply rail, so the module stays partially powered. That is why briefly unplugging only the 3.3 V wire may not force a clean reset every time during flashing. [#21361474]

What is a galvanic separator, and why is it recommended when programming or debugging a mains-powered smart power strip over USB?

"Galvanic separator" is an isolation device that passes signals while breaking direct electrical continuity, reducing shock and fault-current paths between a USB tool and mains-related hardware. It is recommended because this strip’s low-voltage electronics can sit on non-isolated mains circuitry, so a USB isolator adds a safety barrier during programming or debugging. One commenter explicitly advised using a USB galvanic separator and not touching the strip’s side while it is connected to AC. [#21361474]

What does a transformerless or non-isolated switching power supply mean in a Tuya-based smart strip, and what are the safety risks?

It means the module’s power stage is not safely isolated from the mains side. "Non-isolated switching power supply" is a power-conversion topology that steps voltage down electronically, without a safety isolation barrier between primary mains circuitry and the low-voltage section. In this thread, the strip was warned to have electronics directly connected to 230 V mains lines, so you must keep it unplugged during work and avoid touching it when powered. [#21361104]

Why does this LSC smart power strip heat up when all 4 channels are on, and how much can OpenBeken PowerSave 1 help?

It heats up because all 4 relays and the internal supply run simultaneously under full load conditions. The user who converted the strip reported noticeable heating with all four channels ON and added that the relays draw more current than solid-state switches. After enabling PowerSave 1, all functions still worked correctly, and the thread suggested it may reduce heating somewhat and help power-supply life. [#21361967]

What can I do with the single Pair/Toggle All button in OpenBeken, such as single-click, double-click, and triple-click control of individual sockets?

You can script the single front button to control different sockets on different click patterns. The thread states that OpenBeken can assign actions for single-click, double-click, and triple-click events, letting one button trigger individual outlets or grouped actions. On this strip, that button is the Pair/Toggle All input on P10, so you can keep the hardware unchanged and expand behavior in software. [#21361190]

CB3S vs CB2S in smart power strips — which module is better for OpenBeken mods and extra GPIO-based features?

CB3S is the better choice in this thread because it offers more free pins. One commenter explicitly preferred CB3S over CB2S for this strip and said the extra GPIO makes add-ons more practical. That matters if you want OpenBeken automation plus hardware extras, because the Action strip already uses 4 relay outputs, one button input, and one LED pin. [#21361716]

How should I reassemble the Action LSC power strip after flashing, including cable orientation and replacement screw size?

Align the cable joint correctly and replace the anti-tamper screws with normal ones. The groove in the ball joint at the cable end must point straight up and down so it fits the two matching notches in the housing halves. For the case screws, the successful replacement sizes were 2.9×16 mm tapping screws, while 2.9×13 mm was also suggested as likely to fit. [#21361104]

Why do some manufacturers use completely flat anti-service screws in smart power strips, and is this related to EU regulations or just non-serviceable design?

This thread does not prove an EU rule; it only raises the question and points toward anti-service design. A commenter asked whether the flat screws were tied to EU regulations, but no one provided evidence or a cited standard. The practical effect is clear: the screws make opening harder, discourage service, and increase the chance of housing damage if you try a normal drill-out method. [#21361822]

What is the Tuya section start address 2023424, and how is the extracted JSON configuration used when converting a device to OpenBeken?

It is the memory offset where the device’s Tuya configuration block starts in this dump. The posted extraction says the Tuya section begins at 2023424 and includes JSON fields such as rl1_pin: 14, rl2_pin: 6, rl3_pin: 7, rl4_pin: 8, and module: CB3S. That JSON lets you reproduce the correct OpenBeken pin map instead of guessing GPIO assignments after flashing. [#21361104]

How could I safely add a DHT11 or similar sensor to a CB3S-based smart strip, and what mounting precautions matter around mains voltage?

You could add a DHT-series sensor only if you mount it outside the hazardous enclosure and secure it against breakage. The thread suggested DHT11 as a cheap option because CB3S has more free pins than CB2S, but it also warned that the mod must be done safely so nobody can snap the sensor off and contact live parts. Keeping the sensor external is the key precaution around mains voltage. [#21361716]

What is the relationship between the Action LSC Smart Power Strip 3202887 and the LEDVANCE AC32646 version with USB-A and USB-C ports?

The thread presents them as very similar devices from the same general hardware family, not as confirmed identical models. A later poster modified LEDVANCE AC32646 and said it looked like the same strip but with extra USB hardware: 2 USB-A and 2 USB-C ports. The earlier Action unit discussed here has 4 independently switchable sockets and no USB ports mentioned in its teardown. [#21372012]

What firmware dump, config, or cloudcutter method should I look for when working on the LEDVANCE AC32646 variant mentioned in the thread?

Look first for a firmware dump and working pin config from anyone who already flashed that exact LEDVANCE variant. The LEDVANCE poster said they used BK7231GUIFlashTool-v5 and OpenBK7231T_UA_1.17.821.bin, but they did not post a config or dump in the messages shown here. A later reply specifically asked for the dump, config, and whether cloudcutter would work, which means this thread does not yet provide a confirmed cloudcutter method. [#21843177]

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