They are really smart! T1 lamps and H1 dimmers from Aqara appeared in Russia, here are the details

When the issue of “smart home in Russia” turned sideways two years ago, Akara rode out on a white horse and demonstrated impressive work efficiency. Moreover, for almost a month they began to bring new top-end devices to the country. Just look at the multi-segment smart LED strip, which I’ve been very happy with for six months now.

Therefore, there is nothing unexpected in the fact that I say “Akara” when people ask me what smart device to buy.

This spring, for example, Akara brought a whole pack of new smart devices to Russia. We are already worried about their relay and diode strip driver. Now we will talk about the Aqara H1 smart dimmer and the Aqara T1 spotlight. We looked at them, tested them and even improved them. I tell you what is expected of them, what they can do and what they are good at.

Spotlight Aqara T1 and its characteristics

The kit includes (almost) everything for installation.

The Aqara T1 spotlight is available in black and white colors. When purchasing, you should choose the desired light dispersion angle – there are three of them, depending on this, the model number also changes:

▪ 24 degrees: MZSD11LM

▪ 36 degrees: MZSD12LM

▪ 60 degrees: MZTD11LM

The wider the scattering angle, the stronger the light penetrates into space – and vice versa. Only the shape of the plastic diffuser above the lamp is responsible for dispersion. It is not replaceable, which was a little disappointing. But on the other hand, the case itself, when someone feels the urge to change the diffuser after purchasing and installing the “spot”, is difficult for me.

The light source is five light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a power of 2 W each, the total power is 10 W. Color temperature range: 2700K-6000K. That is, the entire spectrum of white is represented – from cold to very warm.

Through the Aqara app, you can adjust the brightness of the spot, turn it on and off, as well as enable automation and settings. For example, turning on a spot based on a motion sensor.

The Aqara T1 spot is standard.

The “light bulb” itself inside the aluminum casing, apparently, is not replaceable and comes in one piece along with the smart electronics unit. Akara prescribes a service life of two years, but, based on the experience of using such lamps, you will get many times more out of this lamp before the question of replacing it arises.

The T1 “spot” should be installed in rooms without condensation, that is, it is not suitable for bathrooms or outdoor placement. But for the kitchen and other living spaces – just right. The operating range of relative humidity is up to 95%.

To connect the lamp to a smart home, you need an Aqara hub with Zigbee 3.0 support.

How to install Aqara T1 spot

Method of attaching the Aqara T1 stain to the surface.

The manufacturer has provided only hidden routing of power wires. Yes, all is not lost here – we will return to this later. A metal fastening strip is installed on the surface. For its installation, the kit includes two dowels and screws.

Then bring the lamp itself and connect the phase (brown, L), neutral (blue, N) and ground (yellow-green, E, PE) wires to the mains. This is obvious, but just in case, I should warn you: before installation, the network will be de-energized, and the installation itself should be carried out by a person who is well versed in this issue.

After this, all that remains is to align the protrusions inside the lamp body with the stops of the mounting plate and turn the body “spot” clockwise. Ready.

How to route the cable from the front to the Aqara T1 point. We fix it ourselves

Earlier, I noticed that the supplied mounting plate only provides for hidden installation of wires. The Russian office of Aqara did the same. Word by word, we came up with a solution. Was it a waste of time to buy a 3D printer?

In half an hour I sketched out a “blank” spacer for fastening, which made it possible to lay the wires from the side. Even CAD applications did not open, because the instructions have all the diameters, and the rest was measured by hand.

The result from heat-resistant PETG plastic was ready in just 30 minutes:

The stock diameter on sale is sufficient for almost any cable, including retro style.

Using such a spacer, you can lay a cable with a cross-section of up to 2.5 cm on a wall or ceiling and insert it from the side of the spot – and then lay it further if there seem to be several spots on the surface.

Today I’ll post the file posted here and come back in the evening to get it. You can download it for free and print it on your 3D printer, or order printing at any “farm”. For such tasks, use heat-resistant plastics, PLA.

Wireless dimmer Aqara H1. An excellent addition for the spot (and not only)

When attaching the Aqara H1 wireless dimmer to the wall, you can use a simple adhesive tape, it is included in the kit.

The Aqara H1 dimmer went on sale simultaneously with the new T1 “spots”, so I’ll briefly tell you about it.

A dimmer is a useful thing in any home. If a regular switch is limited to only two or three available commands, then a dimmer is a multifunctional device. Rotation alone opens up space for deeper settings and regulation of the operation of smart devices. For example, you can “hang” on a dimmer, adjusting the opening of curtains, air conditioning temperature or, obviously, changing the brightness of smart light sources.

Aqara T1 provides 5 connection types, each of which can be used to set any task on a smart home:

▪ single voltage
▪ two-time use
▪ detention
▪ rotation
▪ detention And rotation.

Aqara T1 can be installed on any surface, anywhere and is completely independent from the power supply. For example, stick the double-sided cattle from the kit. It is powered by two CR2032 batteries, which last for approximately 2 years. When they start to discharge, you will get it.

The smart dimmer is combined with the Akara hub. The user configures the automation, and upon certain actions, the dimmer sends information according to the user’s settings. The hub then sends a command to the actuator.

Dimmer H1 is connected to the smart home via the Aqara hub and the Zigbee 3.0 protocol. It will react to interaction with an LED ring located under the “puck”. The appearance is as minimalistic as possible, so you can connect to any interior. Case size – 86x86x24 mm.

Aqara’s new smart devices are heading in the right direction

The Aqara H1 dimmer can be used with any light intensity, and also as a control unit for other smart equipment.

I like the direction the smart home market is gradually moving.

Ten years ago, everything happened with the stadium: the simplest and unreliable smart light bulbs went to neighbors with space roads, in fact, custom turnkey sequences. Unscrewing a smart light bulb and controlling it, one of the programs was very cool, and the rest was a wild dream.

Today we are surrounded by an abundance of smart accessories. There is no end to the choice of normal, advanced and high-quality devices for any task, taste and, yes, especially color. You don’t need a black belt in smart home design and engineering to install them. Connected, added to the program and enjoy.

Having conquered this milestone, the smart home goes further. The socket in 2024 should be smart in itself and not give away this fact with an awkward appearance. It’s the case switch that’s smart, not some portable button. Lamps and chandeliers are smart, not individual lamps. The Internet of Things is increasingly becoming a part of everyday objects, and rightly so.

In this twentieth year, two new releases from Aqara are as appropriate as possible. The Aqara T1 spotlight and H1 wireless dimmer join various smart sockets H2 and relays T1 and T2, as you can see, the principles of a smart home will be embedded in all equipment, and not offered as an add-on over them.

Sales of the Aqara T1 spotlight in Russia are already experiencing problems:

▸ Buy a smart spot Akara T1: 4990 rubles

The new Aqara H1 wireless dimmer is also available:

▸ Buy a wireless dimmer Akara H1: 3990 rubles

📸 All photos in the article: