Frequently asked questions

• Why pick the Zigbee ZBM5 over the Wi-Fi M5?

  Mechanically they are the same — key, 10 A relay, 86 faceplate. The network differs: the M5 Wi-Fi goes through the router and cloud, while the ZBM5 runs on a local Zigbee mesh, responds faster and keeps switching when the internet is down. Choose Zigbee if you already have a hub (NSPanel Pro, iHost, dongle) and want everything local on Home Assistant.
• Will it work without a neutral wire in the back box?

  Yes — "neutral optional" means two modes. Without a neutral it stays an end device with a 3 W minimum load, no smart bulbs or fans. With a neutral on the N terminal it switches any load up to the limit, becomes a mesh repeater and unlocks Detach Relay. In older buildings the neutral is jumpered over from the junction box.
• Which Zigbee hub do I need to use it?

  Any Zigbee 3.0 coordinator — NSPanel Pro, iHost, ZBBridge-P, ZBBridge Ultra or a ZBDongle on Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA. Note: an old Wi-Fi ZBBridge won't pair it. Without a hub the ZBM5 is just an ordinary mechanical switch; with one it joins scenes and automations.
• What is Detach Relay and when can I use it?

  Detach Relay decouples the key from the relay: a press sends a Zigbee command to a smart bulb without cutting its power, so the bulb always stays energised and controllable. It requires neutral mode; without a neutral, as an end device, it is not available.
• Can I add it to Apple Home, Alexa or Google?

  Through a hub, for some. Sonoff lists Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings via the Zigbee coordinator. Apple Home is not natively supported; if HomeKit matters, expose the device through a Matter bridge in Home Assistant. Every path goes through the hub, never straight from the switch.
• What load does it carry and what are the LED limits?

  The relay switches 10 A per gang. For LED lighting the maker rates 400 W at 240 V and 200 W at 100 V. In no-neutral mode there is also a lower limit — the load must exceed 3 W or the electronics lose power. A 10 A breaker goes ahead of the line.
• Will it fit a standard back box used in Moldova?

  Yes. The 86-type faceplate (87×87 mm) suits standard round back boxes, and the 40.2 mm-deep mechanism fits without trouble. The colour is white and the format single-gang; for two or three circuits there are 2-gang and 3-gang ZBM5 models in the same series.
• Will the light still work if the internet goes down?

  Yes. Zigbee commands travel over the local mesh between the switch and the hub, so scenes and presses keep working offline. The mechanical key switches the line directly in any case, regardless of the network. The internet is only needed for remote access and cloud voice assistants.