Test of the Sonoff Contact-Dry Matter Wifi Micro Module

Few in number on the market and often under-exploited, home automation modules with dry contact function are very little represented especially depending on the chosen communications protocol, in Zigbee almost non-existent, a little better in wifi and more often present in z-wave. Sonoff releases its first micro dry contact module the Mini-D, a micro wifi module and Matter compatible.

Let’s take a look at the particularities of the Micro module Mini-D

So when I say first micro-module I’m talking about an encapsulated module, otherwise they have been providing a DIY module for some time, the RE5V1C

• The NO/NC/COM outputs are on the top
• The 12-48V, 110-230V inputs are below on either side of the module.
• S1 and S2 will allow you to connect a remote NO/NC switch
• A wifi indicator
• A small physical switch

In short, a complete dry contact module.

Mini-D

By Sonoff

First dry contact of the wifi compatible brand and matter the mini-d by Sonoff

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Presentation of the Mini-D

A small turquoise blue box containing a notice with the Matter qrcode on the last page as well as a Mini-D micro-module

Nothing more, nothing less, the essential is in ….

The size of the Mini-D

Negative point, the size of the module, just look at the comparison photos between a Sonoff zbmini extreme and the Mini-D. The Mini extreme fits perfectly into a junction box behind a switch, it will be less easy to integrate the Mini-D behind a NO/NC switch.

the connections

Let’s go back to the connection options, below you will find the diagrams necessary for the proper functioning of the Mini-D The NO/COM or NO/NC output can power a motor of maximum 8W, I don’t know in which case we could power this type of motor, but it must have some interest.

Above are the connection diagrams for the garage door motor, whether you connect the Mini-D in AC or DC will not change anything to the NO/NC output and will allow you to confidently connect the garage door/barrier motor, in short anything that can be automated using dry contact such as (gas/electric or oil boilers), etc..

Integration of the Mini-D in the Ewelink application

Well I know that this is not always the best way to view an animated gif, but this type of capture has the merit of being extremely light compared to a video, all that to tell you that if you want to be able to use the Sonoff Mini-D in the unique environment of Sonoff you will have to go through the Ewelink application. Start by downloading it from the playstore or the Appstore.

More informations on Qrcode

This QRcode allows you to download Ewelink app directly for Android or Apple you have the choice between scanning this QRcode from your smartphone or clicking directly on the link below.

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Applications Ewelink for Smartphone

Then nothing could be simpler, plug the Mini-D into AC/DC, launch the Ewelink application and it will immediately find the module, if this is not the case you may have to put the dry contact in inclusion mode, just hold down for 5 seconds until the wifi LED (blue) starts flashing.

Integration in home assistant

There are two ways to integrate Sonoff wifi/Matter products into Home Assistant, one by integrating on a Matter server previously activated on Home Assistant, the other using the SonoffLan module available in the Hacs library, I also wrote an article on this subject in 2023 the link is available just below.

SonoffLan the Sonoff product manager in Home Assistant

Installation with Matter

First of all, if this is your first Matter integration, don’t hesitate to read the official documentation.

First of all to be able to integrate a Matter compatible product easily you will have to install a Matter server on your Home Assistant box and install companion for Ios or Android on your smartphone.

Let’s start by installing a Matteur Server nothing could be simpler click on the button below

Or go to Settings > Add-ons > Add-ons store and select Matter server in the official addons then start Matter server.

Go to device and services and in discovery you will see Matter version Beta you just have to add it

If this is your first server on the network, leave the box checked: Use the official Matter Server add-on in the Supervisor

Here is the server installed

Then you will have to install companion on the Smartphone, this is the official home assistant application.

You can read the official companion documentation directly on the Home Assistant website

Once installed you can connect the Sonoff Mini-D to the mains and your Smartphone will automatically recognize the module as a switch in Matter.

Follow the steps and choose to install the Mini-D module with Matter for Home Assistant, for more help watch the animated Gif.

Then you will see in the devices that a module has been integrated into Home Assistant under the Matter tab.

Here is the information that the Sonoff dry contact micro module Mini-D sends to home assistant thanks to the matter protocol.

The whole thing works perfectly.

Installation avec Sonofflan

SonoffLan is an application available in the HACS library, as a reminder an article dedicated to Sonofflan: SonoffLan the manager of Sonoff products in Home Assistant

This application allows you to integrate the entire Sonoff environment into Home Assistant, first of all your modules will need to be previously integrated into the Ewelink application.

Once SonoffLan is installed it will discover all the modules installed in the Ewelink application.

Here is the information from the Sonoff Mini-D sent to Home Assistant via SonoffLan.

Technical Characteristics

Product + points:

• The price less than 15€
• Wifi and Matter compatible
• Home Assistant, Ewelink integration
• AC or DC power supply
• special dry contact

Product - points:

• The relatively large dimensions
• Zigbee protocol unavailable

Mini-D

By Sonoff

First dry contact of the wifi compatible brand and matter the mini-d by Sonoff

Buy Now out of Aliexpress Buy Now out of Domadoo Buy Now out of Itead Buy Now out of Amazon

Conclusion

The Sonoff Mini-D is a niche product on the home automation market, because rare are the products with a dry contact, it is well finished and functional, the NO/NC output can even power a maximum 8W motor, easy to install for a price less than €15, makes this module a product to buy if you want to control among other things the opening of your garage door, gate or control your boiler.