Suggestion to improve my system

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Hello, everyone. It's been a while since I've posted in this chat...
Actually, my Hubitat works quite well, and the only problem I still have is the following:

**First of all, I want to clarify that I know this is not a problem with my Hubitat Hub, but a real problem I have at home with my electricity supply.

Power cuts are common where I live, and it's normal to have them two or three a day. To avoid this, I installed a Victron backup power system with an inverter-charger, solar panels, batteries, etc., and it works almost perfectly. I say "almost" because every time the system switches from the mains to the domestic network (or vice versa), my Zigbee network is damaged, not completely, but partially.
This causes many devices to be temporarily lost, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for hours, and sometimes I have to restart my entire Zigbee network or the device itself that disconnected. Sylvania lights are a headache to make them work again quickly.

I know that Zigbee repairs itself, but it usually takes hours or days, and by then I already have another blackout :rofl:. So, the first thing I did was connect Hubitat to a UPS, and that solved the problem with the Hub. Still, some repeaters, such as GE switches and the Ikea TRADFRI Control Outlet (mainly these), get lost during the blink that occurs during the switchover from one power source to another. Of course, all the devices connected through them also get lost until they find another way to connect.

Connecting all those devices to the UPS is almost impossible for me, as it would mean putting practically all my lights on it (and the UPS is not that big). I don't think the Victron can reduce the switching time any further, but even if it could, I wouldn't want to get so close to zero crossing as it could damage my inverter.

So, my question to all of you is:

  • Has anyone else encountered something like this?

My repeaters are basically:
• GE Zigbee Switch
• GE Zigbee Dimmer
• Enbrighten Zigbee Smart Light Switch
• Enbrighten Zigbee Smart Light Dimmer
• THIRDREALITY ZigBee Smart Plug
• Ikea TRADFRI Control Outlet (I only have 2 or 3)

Note: My network is Zigbee only. Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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You can check if @iharyadi still sells his environment sensors. They make good repeaters, with the advantage that one can attach a little LiPo battery to them, so they stay online during a power outage.

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Can you increase the switching time enough so this issue doesn't happen? I've had my power "blink" multiple times during storms, and my Zigbee network stays up. I just wonder if your crossover is so fast, it causes issues. When power is completely cut for a second, then comes back on, all my devices seem OK, just like if I had just cut power on the breaker and turned it back on.

That could be a trade-off though... like is it fast enough now to keep digital clocks set and stuff like that? I imagine that there could be drawbacks to increasing switchover time for everything else, unless there is a happy middle.

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Hum...are you telling me more time off is ok for the zigbee repeaters?
I would like to see more insides on this theory.

The UPS systems try to have that time as short as possible.

Actually I had a Xantrex inverter that I can change that time from "Normal" to "UPS" but Xantrex do not recommended the UPS for load like pumps or motors.

My understanding is that while that time is bigger the problem will be worst, for devices like refrigerators or AC that is very dangerous (I have protectors for that situation).

My guess is some old repeaters like the TRADFRI outlets are the ones causing that but right now I haven the replacement for them (but I will check).... so I was just researching with you guys how are facing this.... if you tell me you are facing the same interruptions without any issue on your zigbee then definitely the problem is on my side.

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Thanks for the suggestion but to substitute all my swtiches are not an option... LOLO, they cost me a furtune ....

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The suggestion was to add these in addition to your existing zigbee routers. Not in place of.

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Ho!... I will check it then for sure.. THANKS A LOT !

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Can you expand on this? What steps do you take to restart the entire Zigbee network (power cycle Hubitat, reboot radio, rebuild network, ...)?

As for the device itself is that simply a power cycle of the device or something more elaborate?
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Perhaps you could detect a power outage in a rule and then trigger a recovery action. I am more ZWave oriented in my networks but I uses a ZAC38 range extender to monitor power on one branch circuit important to me. The ZAC38 has a battery so it stays alive if it loses power. So I have a rule that is triggered if ZAC38 losses AC power. Perhaps there is a zigbee equivalent product? Once you detect a power outage then you could always force a reboot of Hubitat and check the rebuild network on reboot switch below but that seems very brute force. Maybe some of the platform experts could comment if you can have a rule trigger a rebuild zigbee network and/or a reboot of the radio. Not sure if those are exposed to RM. Maybe those would be enough to recover your lost zigbee devices.

Another option is to use dry contact relays like a ZAC58 dry contact relay to control your loads but power the ZWave portion from a DC power supply like a rechargeable battery. Then the comms side of that node isn't bothered by power interruptions. Again these are Zwave options but there is probably a zigbee equivalent ---> (Generic Smart Relay Switch Module, Zigbee WiFi Wireless Garage Door Opener 1CH AC/DC 7-32V/USB 5V Remote Control Switch Dry Contact Momentry Switch Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, White - Amazon.com). The load side of the relay can be on your erratic AC power but keep the control side on a stable DC battery supply so Zigbee is never lost. Since your hub is already on a UPS then you have both ends covered.

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