Smart Home & IoT
Home automation, sensor, board and project guides for building a smart home step by step.
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How to Wire an LDR Sensor to the ESP32: Diagram and Reading
Published: at 10:00 AMSensorsLearn how to wire an LDR photoresistor to the ESP32, read its value with the ADC and use it as the basis for an automation.
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DHT11 vs DHT22: Differences, Accuracy and Which to Pick
Updated: at 04:00 PMSensorsDHT11 vs DHT22: we compare range, accuracy, sampling rate, wiring and ESP32 readings to pick the right sensor for your project.
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ESP32: what it is, what it's for and how to start
Updated: at 03:00 PMBoardsAn ESP32 beginner's guide: what it is, which board to choose, how to wire it up and how to build your first smart home device with ESPHome.
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Home automation for beginners: a complete starter guide
Updated: at 02:00 PMFundamentalsA beginner's guide to home automation: what to automate first, how to choose an ecosystem and devices, how to plan your first project and mistakes to avoid.
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ESP32 Won't Connect to WiFi: Causes and Fixes
Published: at 12:30 PMTroubleshootingESP32 won't connect to WiFi: a step-by-step diagnosis of credentials, band, signal, power, firmware, router settings and ESPHome config.
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Power consumption meter with SCT-013 and ESP32
Published: at 12:20 PMProjectsA conceptual guide to measuring consumption with SCT-013 and ESP32: wiring, safety, RMS calculation, calibration and the limits of the result.
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Automatic irrigation with ESPHome and a soil sensor
Published: at 12:10 PMProjectsDesign an automatic irrigation system with ESPHome: soil moisture sensor, ESP32, relay, limits, manual mode and safety precautions.
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ESP32 temperature sensor with ESPHome, step by step
Published: at 12:00 PMProjectsBuild a temperature sensor with ESP32 and ESPHome step by step: materials, wiring, YAML configuration, Home Assistant and final checks.
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Raspberry Pi as a Home Assistant server: installation
Published: at 11:45 AMBoardsUse a Raspberry Pi as a Home Assistant server: hardware, storage, Home Assistant OS or Docker, step-by-step installation, backups and maintenance.
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ESP32 vs ESP8266 vs Arduino: which to choose
Published: at 11:30 AMBoardsESP32 vs ESP8266 vs Arduino: differences in connectivity, processing power, consumption, difficulty and use cases to help you choose an IoT board.
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PIR HC-SR501 Sensor: Datasheet and Wiring
Published: at 11:15 AMSensorsHow to wire and configure a PIR HC-SR501 motion sensor with an ESP32: pins, power, trigger time, range, calibration and the most frequent errors.
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HLK-LD2410 mmWave Presence Sensor with Home Assistant
Published: at 11:00 AMSensorsHow to use the HLK-LD2410 mmWave sensor with ESPHome and Home Assistant: wiring, presence zones, configuration and common errors.
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BME280 Sensor: Datasheet, I2C Wiring and Calibration
Published: at 10:45 AMSensorsA BME280 guide with the datasheet, I2C wiring for the ESP32, ESPHome configuration, I2C addresses, calibration checks and the mistakes to avoid.
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Matter vs Zigbee vs WiFi vs Bluetooth: what to choose
Published: at 10:30 AMFundamentalsMatter vs Zigbee, WiFi and Bluetooth: differences, coverage, power use, hubs and security to help you pick the right protocol for your smart home.
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ESPHome: a complete guide to getting started
Published: at 10:15 AMFundamentalsESPHome guide in English: how to install it, write your first YAML, flash an ESP32, connect it to Home Assistant and debug errors.
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Home Assistant: installation guide and first steps
Published: at 10:00 AMFundamentalsHow to install Home Assistant step by step: which hardware to choose, when to use Home Assistant OS or Docker, and how to add your first device.