Zigbee routing with E1 hub?

Developer Hub
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1

Hi, some product specs indicate, that the E1 “might” be used as a Zigbee router to establish a mesh of Aqara Zigbee devices (like smoke sensors) and a M2 or M3 hubs.

Did someone succeed in setting up such configuration and what steps are required ?
(I just installed the E1 but apparently the Zigbee signal at the smoke sensors did not improve).

2

Maybe so, but I haven’t heard that E1 can work as a repeater. You’d better rebind the sensors to the new E1, if it’s closer to the sensors then the Zigbee connection will improve.

3

thnaks, I need mesh, just looking for a proper device. I know the neutral-wire devices shall be fine, but E1 would fit as well, if it works …
Maybe some Aqara engineers can comment.

4

Just for information: Zigbee channel itself never jumps by itself. It reconfigures when reconnected.
I do it like this.

  1. I remove the Zigbee device.
  2. I turn on the device with the neutral wire so that it is closest to the Zigbee device.
  3. I reconnect the device with Zigbee to the system.
    It should be understood that devices connected via a repeater in the event of a power failure will break the connection and there will be no Zigbee signal for the gateway.
    I have critical sensors for which I organized a direct connection with the gateway. My gateway has battery power, so the notification and siren will turn on even if there is no light from the house.
    For such connections
  4. I turn off the industrial power in the house (the gateway and router run on battery power)
  5. I connect the critical Zigbee sensor directly to the gateway.
    Leak sensors, gas analyzers, etc. will always be under control.
5

@donald_polzin Hello! The E1 Hub is a Zigbee hub, also known as a Zigbee coordinator, but it is not a Zigbee router. It creates a Zigbee network by itself, and all Zigbee sub-devices added under this Hub can transmit Zigbee messages within this Zigbee network, even without Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity. Generally, in this Zigbee network, devices powered by AC (such as Zigbee lights, Zigbee curtain motors, Zigbee sockets, etc.) can function as Zigbee routers and relay Zigbee signals, forwarding messages within the Zigbee network. Therefore, to ensure stable and reliable Zigbee communication, it is recommended that Zigbee routers be evenly distributed in terms of installation locations, making the Zigbee mesh network as robust as possible and avoiding unstable links caused by long communication distances.

6

“… never jumps by itself” → thats a new information, thanks for that (the word “routing” implies some network behavior to me).

My design is like yours and yes, the sensors are bound directly to the gateway with signal strength “acceptable”. My house is completely on UPS, so gateways, internet access etc. are powered eventually.
My intent was to use the E1 to increase signal strength, but only with a self healing mesh …

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