I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation recently, and I must say, it’s been a fascinating journey. One of my latest projects involved integrating two Zigbee smart plugs into my existing ecosystem. I purchased the RISON Smart Power Plugs, which promised compatibility with Alexa and Google Home, along with some handy features like metering and scheduling. To manage the Zigbee network, I’m using a Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus.
The initial setup was smooth for the first plug—it paired seamlessly with my hub and showed up in the Home Assistant interface. However, when I tried adding the second plug, things got a bit tricky. Despite being within range, the second plug wasn’t detected. I experimented with various troubleshooting steps, including resetting the plug, restarting the hub, and even using the Tuya Smart Life app to learn the device. Unfortunately, nothing worked.
After some research, I realized that the issue might be related to the network’s coverage. My first plug wasn’t functioning as a router, which meant the second plug was out of the Coordinator’s range. To resolve this, I decided to place the second plug closer to the first one, ensuring better communication. This simple adjustment did the trick, and now both plugs are fully integrated into my system.
This experience taught me the importance of understanding network topology in Zigbee setups. If you’re encountering similar issues, experimenting with device placement and ensuring a robust mesh network can make all the difference. It’s also a good reminder to check manufacturer guidelines for specific device behaviors. Happy automating everyone! 