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Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

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  • Series 2 PC191 uses CB2S BK7231N and OpenBeken config

    #1 20569008
    tonyb62
    Level 8  
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    I recently bought a new 4 pack of these sockets from Bunnings and quickly found that flashing these devices with cloudcutter didn't work. Double checking the packages shows these devices as a Series 2.
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

    Opening the device shows a CB2S, with updated details on the unit.
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

    Was able to connect to the CB2S without removing from the board and program using the Openbeken apt (BK7231N).
    And have the following config working.

    Code: JSON
    Log in, to see the code


    Going to try cloudcutter again now that I know what is inside.
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  • #2 20569077
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Thanks, so let me sum up - the "Series 2" is a CB2S version (BK7231N) and older version (no Series in the title?) is WB2S?
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  • #3 20569088
    tonyb62
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    Yes, I have both if you would like side by side photos

    Added after 6 [minutes]:

    According to the grid connect app it is running the v1.1.8 firmware.

    I have also been able to use cloudcutter to flash the BK7231N with latest firmware 1.17.104
    - Choose the device by firmware version - 1.1.8 - BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug
    - Select brand - Tuya Generic
    - Select device LSPA9 Plug v1.1.8
  • Helpful post

    UART flasher now detects GPIO settings from Tuya binaries

    #4 20569366
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Device photos are always welcome here, you can post them here if you think you can make even better comparison between older and newer model of this plug.

    Btw, if anyone here is using UART flasher, the latest version of the flasher can detect GPIO settings from 2mb device binary (Tuya firmware):
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
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  • #5 20570029
    tonyb62
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    I've noted these sockets get warm even when not on, I'm assuming it's the power supply for the CB2S.
    A power save mode is mentioned in other posts, is this something I should be switching on by default?
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  • PowerSave recommended for weak Tuya power supplies

    #6 20570099
    p.kaczmarek2
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    PowerSave is always recommended. Some cheap Tuya devices have power supplies so weak, that using it without power save may actually damage the device:
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3898805.html
    I am planning to enable power save by default soon, but I am not sure if it is 100% reliable and I do not want to brick user devices just after flashing.

    So, if you want, try PowerSave and report here if it's working for you.
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  • #7 20570716
    tonyb62
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    So far all the devices I have pulled apart have transformer type power supplies.

    Do you have any guides on using startup commands?
    I have added ( PowerSave; SetupEnergyStats; ) to the startup command dialog, but not sure it's working?
    I still have the "Periodic Statistics Disabled" message still showing on the index page.
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  • #8 20570754
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Are you using backlog? Are you missing arguments from SetupEnergyStats?
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  • Helpful post
    #10 20573799
    p.kaczmarek2
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  • #11 20631656
    pastel_uplands0z
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    I recently purchased the black version from Bunnings and can't seem to get it working correctly. If I set BL0937SEL to pin 24, the plug keeps switching the relay on and off continuously. I've tried to extract TuyaConfig using the GUI Tool but it could only figure out one pin. Any idea?

    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
  • #12 20631659
    p.kaczmarek2
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    They may have changed something in GPIO and/or binary config. Can I see the full Tuya partition binary dump myself?

    "plug keeps switching the relay" - this means that the relay is on P24, not BL0937SEL.
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  • #13 20631668
    pastel_uplands0z
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    I'll try to set Pin 24 to relay. Please see attachment for the config dump.
    Attachments:
    • test.bin (72 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • Power reporting still not working after config import

    #14 20632396
    pastel_uplands0z
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    I applied the config posted in this thread: https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3944452-30.html


    
    
    {
      "vendor": "Arlec",
      "bDetailed": "0",
      "name": "Arlec Grid Connect PC191 Series 2",
      "model": "PC191",
      "chip": "BK7231N",
      "board": "CB2S",
      "flags": "1024",
      "keywords": [
        "TODO",
        "TODO",
        "TODO"
      ],
      "pins": {
        "6": "BL0937SEL;0",
        "7": "BL0937CF1;0",
        "8": "BL0937CF;0",
        "10": "Btn;0",
        "24": "Rel;0",
        "26": "WifiLED;0"
      },
      "command": "",
      "image": "https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/6722285900_1683369451.jpg",
      "wiki": "https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=20568869#20568869"
    }
    


    Everything seems to be working except for Power Reporting. Any idea?
  • #15 20632397
    tonyb62
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    You may have to open it up and look inside.

    Do you have a photo/link to the item? I haven't seen the black version during my Bunnings walk-through.
  • #16 20632477
    p.kaczmarek2
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    What do you mean by "power reporting"? You mean, you don't have voltage/power/current measurements in OBK, or do you mean you have them but they are not sent to HA?
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  • #17 20659818
    pastel_uplands0z
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    Power reporting is not showing up in the web interface.
  • #18 20659875
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Have you restarted your device? How does your web interface look now? Do you have BL0937 driver running?
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  • BK7231T profile worked on this PC191HA plug

    #19 20711470
    dpmcwilliam
    Level 1  
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    I just flashed one of these Series 2 plugs with cloudcutter, during flashing I tried the PC191HA (BK7231N) profile a couple of times but it failed. I decided to give the other PC191HA profile a shot (BK7231T) and it worked. I installed libretiny and everything is working as expected.

    I don't want to open it to see what model the chip is but it has me wondering - Is it possible the manufacturers change the chip between batches and possibly have some produced with BK7231T?

    Is there any way BK7231T configuration could possibly work on a BK7231N?
  • #20 20843724
    Automauto
    Level 2  
    Posts: 6
    Just purchased 5 of these through Bunnings in NZ.

    One as a single pack that was a 7231T that flashed with cloudcutter.
    Four as a four pack that ended up being 7231N's that also flashed with cloudcutter.

    Does anyone know how to turn off the blue power light on the button?
    I'd like this off as it's right under my TV screen :)

    Thanks for any help with this.
  • #21 20843807
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Isn't this a P26 LED? It seems to be the only controllable LED in this device.

    If the LED is connected to relay or directly to the VDD, then you may need to physically remove it or reattach it to GPIO

    Or just to be sure, can you attach Tuya JSON extracted this way:


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  • #22 20845299
    Automauto
    Level 2  
    Posts: 6
    Hi and thanks for your reply,

    I have attached the bin extracted following the video, hopefully this is what you asked for :)

    Currently Pin 26 is set as WiFiLED.
    The button on the plug flashes red when booting and then goes off.
    It turns blue when it is turned on.

    Thanks again
    Attachments:
    • BK7231N_TuyaConfig_obk081F347C.bin (72 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
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  • Relay LED tied to Pin 24 on BK7231N model

    #23 20845362
    Automauto
    Level 2  
    Posts: 6

    I think Pin 24 'Rel' is bound to the blue LED also.
    This seems true for
    Chipset: BK7231N CB2S
    Model: PC191HA

    If there isn't some programmable way of disabling the relay light,
    then it might have to either crack it open and attempt to cut the LED from the circuit, not sure I'm confident in doing a great job there :(
    or disabling the button and taping over it, covering the LED, much easier and should be fine for what I'm using it for.

    However for the
    Chipset: BK7231T WB2S
    Model: PC191HA
    The Pin assignment is different and the template has Pin 26 set for LED.
    So this model can be disabled.
  • No Tuya pins data; trace GPIOs or reroute LED manually

    #24 20845557
    p.kaczmarek2
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    I checked your config and sadly there is no Tuya pins data to extract this time. That device may have a bit more custom firmware.

    So, we are left to either guessing or checking physically with a multimeter where the traces go.

    If you have a LED that is connected between VDD and GND (with a resistor) and not controllable by any GPIO, you can also consider routing it manually to one of the unused GPIOs of WiFI module with a small wire. Just make sure to include the resistor in the circuit and respect LED polarity. LED conducts only in one direction.
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  • Different module variants and LED behavior on PC191HA Series 2

    #25 20853062
    ilium007
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:
    Thanks, so let me sum up - the "Series 2" is a CB2S version (BK7231N) and older version (no Series in the title?) is WB2S?


    To throw a spanner in the works.... I have a PC191HA Series 2 (stamped on box and printed on back of device) that has a BK7231T / WB2S in it!

    Added after 5 [hours] 25 [minutes]:

    I have my PC191HA Series 2 (CB2S) running in HA using ESPHome with the pinout help from this thread - thanks! I also have a PC191HA Series 2 running the other module (WB2S). The CB2S has the red wifi LED (P11 I believe) always on unless the relay is on and the blue LED (P26) is lit.

    Any ideas on why the red LED is always on and why it is not on for the WB2S module PC191HA?
  • ltchiptool unsupported on BK7231N firmware

    #26 20875273
    gen_mheloy
    Level 5  
    Posts: 11
    I bought this 4 pack a few days ago... I used cloudcutter 1 with ESPhome firmware and 3 with Openbeken...
    Initially, I had issues configuring the right pins to work it out for the Openbeken... but after a while, it's running well now... with the config below

    Code: JSON
    Log in, to see the code


    Now my question for the unit I flashed with ESPhome... I'm having issues with the ltchiptool as it seems like it's not supported... I have the BK7231N with 1.1.8 and I got this error

    The chosen device doesn't contain pin configuration.

    Possible causes:
    - it has vendor-specific firmware
    - it uses TuyaMCU (report error if that's the case!)

    Auto-generating ESPHome YAML is not possible.

    Does anyone have the correct YAML for this chip to work? or maybe convert it to OpenBeken?
    any guides or links will be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance

    EDIT:
    This guy helped me convert the ESPhome to OpenBeken... happy days...

    But now one of my Openbeken devices is doing solid red... not sure what's happening
  • Suggests GPIO Doctor to identify LED and relay pins

    #27 20875348
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Hello, what is solid red? Are you referring to the LED diode?

    Maybe it's really TuyaMCU? Have you looked inside?

    Or maybe we can check for TuyaMCU without that... but, for a good start, have you tried using GPIO Doctor from the Web App to try to identify possible GPIOs for LED and relay?

    If not, please try. And if there are no GPIOs for that, I will be happy to help you with setting up TuyaMCU as well. We'll get your devices running well soon.
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  • #28 20971254
    andrewmarkcongdon
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    After about 6 months my PC191HA became unable to reliably control the relays.
    Looking inside I could see the 470uF 10V electrolytic had a crowned top. It's the center of the three in the photo.
    After replacing that the unit is working normally again.

    Swollen 470uF 10V electrolytic capacitor on a circuit board.
  • #29 20971415
    p.kaczmarek2
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    Did you have PowerSave enabled for those 6 months?
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  • #30 20972690
    andrewmarkcongdon
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    No. This is the first I've heard of it.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2 plug-in socket, focusing on issues related to flashing the device with custom firmware using CloudCutter and OpenBeken. Users report varying experiences with different chipsets (BK7231N and BK7231T) found in the devices, with some successfully flashing the devices while others encounter difficulties. Key topics include the importance of enabling PowerSave mode to prevent overheating, configuring energy statistics, and troubleshooting GPIO settings for LED control. Users share configurations, firmware versions, and experiences with device performance, including issues with relay control and power reporting. The conversation highlights the variability in hardware between batches and the need for careful configuration to ensure proper functionality.
AI summary based on the discussion. May contain errors.

FAQ

TL;DR: 15 Q&As and “PowerSave” guidance help Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2 owners flash Cloudcutter/OpenBeken, set CB2S BK7231N BL0937 pins, and avoid relay or LED failures. Use firmware-specific profiles, because Series 2 can contain BK7231N or BK7231T hardware. [#20569008]

Why it matters: The same PC191HA Series 2 label can hide different modules, so the wrong profile or pin map can break relay, LED, or energy reporting.

PC191HA variant Module Chip family Reported Cloudcutter profile clue Notable LED behavior
Series 2 four-pack CB2S BK7231N v1.1.8 BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug P26 as WiFiLED; relay on P24
Series 2 single-pack / some batches WB2S BK7231T v1.3.5 BK7231T profile reported P26 LED template can be disabled
Black PC191HA case Unconfirmed until opened Batch-dependent Same pin map may not restore metering May need physical inspection

Key insight: Do not trust the box label alone. Extract the device config or inspect the module before choosing BK7231N or BK7231T firmware.

Quick Facts

  • Working CB2S BK7231N OpenBeken pins: P6 BL0937SEL, P7 BL0937CF1, P8 BL0937CF, P10 button, P24 relay, P26 WiFiLED. [#20569008]
  • Tuya firmware v1.1.8 flashed through Cloudcutter by selecting firmware version 1.1.8, BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug, Tuya Generic, LSPA9 Plug v1.1.8. [#20569088]
  • PowerSave 1 appeared in the OpenBeken log as 2/38 POWERSAVE, and SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5 was given as the periodic statistics example. [#20571516]
  • One failed PC191HA had a crowned 470 uF 10 V electrolytic capacitor after about 6 months, and relay control recovered after replacement. [#20971254]
  • A later Cloudcutter log showed chip_family values for both BK7231T with profile 1.3.5 and BK7231N with profile 1.1.8, proving mixed PC191HA batches. [#21064541]

How do I flash an Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2 smart plug with Cloudcutter and OpenBeken?

Flash it by matching the PC191HA firmware and chip family before loading OpenBeken.
  1. Put the plug into Tuya AP slow-blink mode.
  2. In Cloudcutter, choose the detected firmware family, such as BK7231N v1.1.8.
  3. Flash the matching OpenBeken BK7231N or BK7231T image.
One user programmed CB2S directly with the OpenBeken BK7231N app without removing the module. Cloudcutter also worked later when the v1.1.8 BK7231N profile was selected. [#20569088]

What pin configuration works for the Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2 with a CB2S BK7231N module and BL0937 energy metering?

Use P6, P7, and P8 for BL0937 metering, P10 for the button, P24 for the relay, and P26 for WiFiLED. The working OpenBeken map is P6 BL0937SEL, P7 BL0937CF1, P8 BL0937CF, P10 Btn, P24 Rel, and P26 WifiLED. Set flags to 1024 for the shared template. "BL0937 is an energy-metering IC interface that reports voltage, current, and power pulses, using CF, CF1, and SEL lines to separate measurement channels." [#20569008]

What is the difference between the Arlec PC191HA Series 2 CB2S BK7231N version and the WB2S BK7231T version?

The CB2S version uses BK7231N, while the WB2S version uses BK7231T. Early discussion suggested Series 2 meant CB2S BK7231N and older plugs meant WB2S. Later posts disproved that simple rule. Users reported PC191HA Series 2 units with both CB2S BK7231N and WB2S BK7231T inside. One four-pack contained BK7231N units, while one single pack contained a BK7231T unit. [#20853062]

Why might Cloudcutter fail on an Arlec PC191HA Series 2 when using the BK7231N profile but work with a BK7231T profile?

Cloudcutter can fail because some PC191HA Series 2 units actually contain BK7231T hardware. One user tried the PC191HA BK7231N profile several times, then flashed successfully with the PC191HA BK7231T profile. Another user later confirmed mixed stock from Bunnings NZ: one single pack was BK7231T, while a four-pack contained four BK7231N plugs. The Series 2 marking does not guarantee one chip family. [#20711470]

Which Cloudcutter profile should I choose for an Arlec PC191HA running Tuya firmware v1.1.8 or v1.3.5?

Choose v1.1.8 for BK7231N devices and v1.3.5 for reported BK7231T devices. For v1.1.8, the working path was firmware version 1.1.8, BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug, brand Tuya Generic, device LSPA9 Plug v1.1.8. A later deviceconfig showed v1.3.5 as BK7231T with an oem profile. If the profile fails after the first exploit stage, inspect the saved .deviceconfig file. [#21064541]

What is PowerSave in OpenBeken, and why is it recommended for Tuya-based smart plugs?

PowerSave is an OpenBeken mode that reduces Wi-Fi module current draw and heat stress. "PowerSave is an OpenBeken runtime feature that lowers device power use, reducing load on small Tuya power supplies that may overheat or degrade under continuous demand." The maintainer recommended it because weak Tuya power supplies can fail without it. He later advised avoiding it on BL0937 power-metering and IR devices. [#20990154]

How do I enable PowerSave and periodic energy statistics in OpenBeken startup commands for a PC191HA plug?

Add PowerSave 1 and a complete SetupEnergyStats command to OpenBeken startup commands. The user first tried PowerSave; SetupEnergyStats;, but that missed arguments. A working pattern is PowerSave 1; SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5. If commands run through one startup field, use backlog-style sequencing where required by your OpenBeken build. The log can show POWERSAVE when the setting activates. [#20571516]

What does the OpenBeken command SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5 do?

SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5 enables periodic energy statistics with a 60-second interval and a 5-unit parameter. The maintainer gave this exact command as the example after the user saw “Periodic Statistics Disabled” in the web interface. Use it only after BL0937 pins work, because energy statistics need live measurement channels. [#20573799]

Why does my Arlec PC191HA get warm even when the relay is off?

The plug can stay warm because its internal power supply still feeds the CB2S or WB2S module while the relay is off. A user noticed warmth on idle sockets and suspected the CB2S power supply. The maintainer recommended PowerSave because some Tuya power supplies are weak. Another user later found a failed 470 uF 10 V capacitor after about 6 months without PowerSave. [#20570099]

Why is power, voltage, or current reporting missing in the OpenBeken web interface after setting BL0937 pins?

Power reporting is missing when the BL0937 driver is not running, the device needs a restart, or the hardware uses different GPIOs. Setting P24 to BL0937SEL caused relay switching, which proved P24 was the relay, not metering. For the CB2S template, metering uses P6, P7, and P8. If the web interface still lacks readings, inspect the board or dump Tuya config. [#20631659]

How can I turn off or control the blue or red button LED on an Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA smart plug?

Try P26 first, but some blue relay LEDs are hard-bound to P24 or power rails. On CB2S BK7231N PC191HA, the button flashed red during boot, then blue when on. One user concluded P24 relay control also drove the blue LED. On WB2S BK7231T, the template used P26 for LED, so software control was possible. If no GPIO controls it, tape over it or modify the LED circuit. [#20845362]

What should I check if an Arlec PC191HA has a solid red LED after a failed Cloudcutter flash?

Check whether the device still boots, whether Cloudcutter completed, and whether GPIO Doctor can identify LED or relay pins. A solid red LED appeared after a suspected incomplete Cloudcutter flash on a CB2S unit. The maintainer asked whether it was TuyaMCU, whether the case had been opened, and whether GPIO Doctor found usable GPIOs. If it stays unresponsive, move to wired flashing. [#20875348]

How do I manually flash a BK7231N or CB2S smart plug by UART wires if Cloudcutter fails?

Manually flash it with a USB-to-UART adapter and the BK7231 GUI flashing tool. Open the plug, connect UART lines to the CB2S or WB2S module, and reset the chip into flashing mode. The maintainer linked a wired flashing playlist and recommended the BK7231GUIFlashTool for BK7231 devices. This path is useful after Cloudcutter failure or a solid red LED state. [#21036078]

What is the difference between a USB to UART adapter and a YP-05 module when flashing BK7231 devices?

A USB-to-UART adapter directly provides serial TX, RX, GND, and voltage-level logic for flashing. The thread did not confirm that a YP-05 module behaves the same for BK7231 boot flashing. One user could not get the bus after almost half a day using “USB to YP-05” and asked whether it differed from USB-to-UART. Use a known USB-to-UART adapter for fewer variables. [#21036164]

What is the ESPHome equivalent of OpenBeken PowerSave for BK7231-based Arlec PC191HA plugs?

No confirmed ESPHome equivalent was identified in the thread. The maintainer said he did not know whether ESPHome had that feature or how optimized it was. He suggested converting to OpenBeken with OpenBeken UF2 firmware if PowerSave mattered. He also warned that sockets without PowerSave can quickly degrade capacitors. [#21140273]
AI summary based on the discussion. May contain errors.
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