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Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf

p.kaczmarek2 3834 5
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  • Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Hello my dears .
    I'd like to invite you to my brief test and teardown of the 'smart' WiFi touch-sensitive light switch BW-SS3 from Blitzwolf. This switch allows us to control our lighting both normally and remotely via an Android app using the home WiFi network without the need to install additional devices and fits into a classic box.

    Previous part - BW-SHP8 socket .
    In the previous section, I described in detail another Blitzwolf product, namely the WiFi-controlled BW-SHP8 socket additionally offering electricity metering.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The description is available here:
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3687040.html#18652154
    In the description I have also shown in detail the process of installing the Blitzwolf app on an Android phone, registering a free Blitzwolf account, etc. etc. and most of the information from the above topic also applies to the switch described here. So I won't describe it here a second time - I refer those interested to the previous topic.

    Purchase BW-SS3 switch .
    I bought the product on the Banggood website for just over £50, I chose to have it shipped there from the Czech Republic.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The BW-SS3 switch is available in three versions - one, two, or three switches in one housing:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    I chose version two (double switch).
    The size of the BW-SS3 is compatible with a standard can, so there should be no problem attaching it:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The package came quite quickly, especially as it was sent from the Czech Republic and not China.
    The product came in the original box:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Included was a well protected switch along with a leaflet and instructions:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .

    Running the BW-SS3 switch .
    I ran the switch loose to be able to comfortably check how it works and take measurements.
    I made the connections according to the diagram:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    My connections (I only used one bulb):
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The switch was already functional without pairing it with a Blitzwolf phone/account via WiFi:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    I started the pairing mode as instructed, that is, by pressing the first touch button for a long time until it starts flashing. In the Blitzwolf app (its installation is described in the previous topic in this series ), I chose to add manually and selected "Switch/WiFi Switch" as the device type:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The pairing was successful the first time:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    The switch has since appeared in my list of devices in the Blitzwolf app:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    (My list also shows the BW-SHP8 from the previous topic and two 'Air Purifiers' which I haven't described here, but may describe soon)
    From this point I could control the switch from within the app. In its profile we have independent control over its two relays:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Finally, I measured the power consumption from the mains.
    Standby mode, with no relays engaged - 0.4W:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    One relay on - 1.0W:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf
    Both relays on - 1.7W:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .

    Interior of BW-SS3 switch .
    The front cover of the switch pulls off very easily - just lever it up with a flathead screwdriver.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    It is then immediately apparent that the manufacturer uses one type of board for all three types of switch (they just don't solder all the components and contacts):
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Above you can also see the four holes used to mount the switch in the box.
    The board is signed FBE3-WT3-Ver1.0 Sep18 2018.
    The board on the top is not attached to the rest of the socket in any way - it just holds onto the eight-pin 2.54mm connector (2 rows of 4 pins each):
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    On the underside of the board you will immediately notice the WiFi module, which is soldered to it separately:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf
    This module is the TYWE3S manufactured by Tuya:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    It is based on the ESP8266.
    I have included its full catalogue note below:
    TYWE3S Dat...t_Docs.pdf Download (279.46 kB) .
    Right next to it you can see a small component with eight legs in an SOP housing:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    This is the BS813A-1 by Holtek - a touch button controller.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    I have included the BS813A catalogue note below:
    Holtek-Sem...C91844.pdf Download (1.16 MB) .
    Application:
    B01-BSI-20...813A-1.pdf Download (707.42 kB) .
    There is nothing else of interest on the front board - you can look at the second board, the one with the two relays:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf
    On it you can see the main circuit responsible for powering the switch. Directly connected to the mains is the ABS10 (Greatz bridge - four rectifier diodes in one housing):
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    ABS10 note:
    ABS6-T SER..._B1708.pdf Download (324.42 kB) .
    Just behind is the PN8016 manufactured by Chipown:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    This is the so-called "Non-isolated Off-line PWM converters Width Modulator (PWM)", a converter circuit without galvanic isolation.
    PN8016 application diagram:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    It is this circuit that converts the 230V mains voltage into a 3.3V supply for the WiFi module and relays.
    I couldn't find the PN8016 datasheet note in .pdf format, the only link to it was dead, and I got the screenshots above from sales listings for this circuit from the web.
    Next to it you can see two components in SOT-23 housings signed HY3D - that is the S8050MD NPN transistors:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    S8050MD catalogue note:
    mms8050...pdf Download (181.41 kB) .
    Each of these has a diode visible next to it - this is the transistor protection required by the relay, as it is these transistors that control the relays.
    There is also space on the PCB for a third transistor and a third relay.
    The relay board can be removed from the housing by removing two screws:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    You can then see the 16V 47uF electrolytic capacitors (on the low voltage side), the 4.7uF 400V (on the mains voltage side, behind the Greatz bridge) and the large choke which is probably related to the PN8016. There is no transformer here - it is not needed for this type of inverter.
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    I could not read the relay markings, they are obscured by the components:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .

    Pinout on 2x4 connector .
    I added this paragraph a little later, at the user's request.
    Here's a breakdown of the pins that go on the 2x4 connector, that is, they connect the power supply/relay board to the board from TYWE3S:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    As you can see only three pins are brought out to control the relays, the rest are ground and power.
    So unfortunately this connector is of no use to us when trying to upload our own firmware. We will rather be interested in these pins (TX and RX):
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    But I will write about the option of uploading custom firmware to this type of device another time.
    I also recommend that you take a look at the pinout from the Tasmota website:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .

    Summary .
    The BW-SS3 WiFi light switch proved to be easy to set up and use. I installed it for a trial at my home (it went into the box without a problem) and will find out over time if any problems come to the surface though, and if not, I may consider replacing my other light switches with WiFi ones at some point.
    As for the interior, the BW-SS3 is built similarly to the the previously described BW-SHP8 . BW-SS3 is realised on TYWE3S and BW-SHP8 is realised on TYWE2S. In addition, the power supply issue has been clarified - looking inside the BW-SHP8 I did not see a transformer, only a large choke, but at the same time I did not have access to the inverter controller chip, and in the case of the BW-SS3 it is clear that the power supply is realised on a PN8016 chip.
    The BW-SS3 is also supported through the Tasmota open source alternative firmware project, perhaps I will describe the process of uploading it soon.

    Cool? Ranking DIY
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    About Author
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    Offline 
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote 11844 posts with rating 9941, helped 566 times. Been with us since 2014 year.
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  • #2 18930274
    krzbor
    Level 27  
    Are there all the signals needed to program the ESP on this 2x4 connector? There is probably power and ground. You still need Rx, Tx and GPIO0. If you can give a breakdown of this connector, as probably 3 of the outputs control relays. You should have no problem finding out which pin is used to control a particular relay and which GPIO it is connected to.
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  • #3 18933694
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
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  • #4 18933794
    krzbor
    Level 27  
    baseemitercollector wrote:
    The problem with these types of devices is that they require a dedicated app to work. In a year, year and a half the manufacturer will go out of business, the app will not be updated and the switches will only be able to be ripped out of the can because they will be useless.
    This is one of the reasons why I program them myself. It's my programme, nothing goes out to some 'cloud'. I just have full control. In a previous post I asked the Author a question about the leads needed for programming. If they are on this connector, it will be very simple.
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  • #5 18934528
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    krzbor wrote:
    Are all the signals needed to program the ESP on this 2x4 connector? Presumably there is power and ground. You still need Rx, Tx and GPIO0. If you can give a breakdown of this connector, as probably 3 of the outputs control relays. You should have no problem finding out which pin is used to control which relay and which GPIO it is connected to.
    .

    This is a very good question - it's a wonder I didn't think to specify it.
    Had to wait a bit for an answer as the switch was already in the wall (I'm testing it, for now, with a Blitzwolf) so I had to have the opportunity to turn off the power and take the cover off it....

    I gave the pinout to the first post, paragraph Pinout on the 2x4 connector . Unfortunately the RX and TX are not there.

    As for uploading my own firmware, I'm going to do a collective topic soon where I'll outline how this is done for several different devices.

    PS: If you have your eye on any other 'smart' devices from Blitzwolf or on ESP then you can give me a hint, I'll also buy one, have a look inside and in some time try to upload e.g. Tasmote.

    PS2: And if you're going to buy such devices specifically to use them with some open source firmware, I'd recommend not connecting them to Blitzwolf beforehand, as I've heard that then the firmware can be upgraded to some more problematic one in terms of change/replacement, but I don't know how often this occurs.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #6 18935573
    krzbor
    Level 27  
    Thank you very much for the connector layout - it's a pity there is such a waste of pins. So you can program by adding wires. This is where I see a potential problem - RX is GPIO3, and it is used as an input. However, from the application of this Holtec, it appears that the output is a MOSFET with a low level in the active state. So if we don't touch the springs during programming, there should be no problem. In the pictures you can see the blue programming LED (either in the middle or on the side - that's probably the GPIO0 one) and the 3 activity LEDs. From the pinout from the Tasmota website, you can't see the pins that control these white LEDs - are they controlled in parallel with the relays (via GPIO4, GPIO13, GPIO15)? And one more thing - the TYWE3S looks identical to the ESP12 - I read somewhere that they can be swapped. It is worth noting that by programming this circuit yourself, you can change its functionality significantly - e.g. sensors can send signals via ESP and do not have to trigger relays at all. On the other hand, the relays can be activated via WiFi and do not need to be connected to the sensors at all. It's just a pity that the white LEDs don't have independent control - there are still some free pins left on the TYWE3S
    Finally - thank you for the article!

    Added at 2 [hours] 5 [minutes]:

    One more thing. I found a picture like this:
    Test and interior of the BW-SS3, a WiFi light switch from Blitzwolf .
    According to the description, the buttons have backlighting and this backlighting does not work without a network connection. This doesn't quite fit with Tasmota's description for me. It looks as if the LEDs are controlled separately and not together with the relays.
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