SmartHomeShop Docs

Network Configuration

CeilSense Mini has WiFi and an Ethernet connection. The current firmware is WiFi only: Ethernet and PoE firmware is planned for release. This page explains both options, what to do when your network changes and how to find the device.

Overview

Connection Firmware Power Good to know
WiFi Current firmware USB-C Set up through the setup network
Ethernet with PoE Planned for release PoE One cable for power and data
Ethernet without PoE Planned for release USB-C The cable carries data only

WiFi and Ethernet are separate firmware builds. The device runs one of them at a time. CeilSense Mini cannot run on mains.

WiFi Setup

On first start, WiFi firmware opens a setup network with a captive portal.

  1. Power the device and wait 1 to 2 minutes. The LED ring shows a rainbow during start-up and fades out after at most about 20 seconds, so the ring can be off before the setup network appears. That is normal.
  2. On your phone or laptop, connect to the WiFi network CeilSense Mini Setup. The current firmware sets no password on this network.
  3. The captive portal opens. If it does not, see Troubleshooting.
  4. Choose your own WiFi network and enter the password.
  5. The device connects to your network and the setup network disappears.
  6. Home Assistant discovers the device. Go to Settings > Devices & services and add it.

WiFi requirements:

  • A 2.4 GHz network. 5 GHz is not supported.
  • Good signal at ceiling level. Check this at the mounting spot before you install. If the signal is weak, Ethernet can help once that firmware is available.

Ethernet and PoE

Ethernet and PoE firmware is planned for release. The device has the RJ45 connection, but the current firmware does not use it yet. With that firmware it works like this:

  1. Connect a network cable to the RJ45 connection on the ceiling side of the sensor.
  2. With PoE, the same cable powers the sensor. Your switch or injector must support IEEE 802.3af.
  3. The device gets an IP address from your network through DHCP.
  4. Home Assistant discovers the device. Go to Settings > Devices & services and add it.

Before you start, check that:

  • DHCP is enabled on your network.
  • The device is on the same network or VLAN as Home Assistant.
  • Your firewall allows traffic between the device and Home Assistant.

Ethernet firmware has no setup network.

Ethernet Without PoE

Ethernet will also work without PoE. Use the cable for data and power the sensor from USB-C. USB-C needs 5 V and at least 1 A; a USB-C supply is not included. CeilSense Mini is for indoor use only.

Switching Between WiFi and Ethernet

Switching means installing different firmware. WiFi stops working as soon as Ethernet firmware runs, and the other way around, so connect the network cable first when you move to Ethernet.

How you switch is published with the firmware at release. See Firmware.

When Your Network Changes

What changed What to do
New WiFi name or password The device cannot connect any more and opens CeilSense Mini Setup again. Connect to it and enter the new details.
New router, same WiFi name and password Nothing on the device. It connects by itself and gets a new IP address. Check that Home Assistant still reaches it.
New IP address Home Assistant normally finds the device again. If not, add it again by IP address.
Moved to another VLAN Make sure Home Assistant can still reach the device, including mDNS discovery. Otherwise add it by IP address.
Moved from WiFi to Ethernet Install Ethernet firmware once it is available. See Firmware.

IP Address

The IP Address entity on the device page shows the address. You can also look in your router's list of connected devices.

The device serves a local web page on port 80. Open http://<device-ip>/ in a browser on the same network to see the readings and controls without Home Assistant.

Home Assistant Connection

ESPHome devices are discovered automatically. If discovery does not work, add the device by hand:

  1. Go to Settings > Devices & services > Add integration.
  2. Choose ESPHome.
  3. Enter the IP address. The ESPHome connection uses the standard port 6053.

Local Operation

With local firmware, all readings go directly to Home Assistant over your own network. With supported cloud firmware the device also sends readings to your SmartHomeShop account. See SmartHomeShop App.

Troubleshooting