Instructions on how to connect an Osram Smart+ (plus) plug to the Philips Hue bridge. Normally you just power a device, search from the Hue app and you’re done in seconds. To add the Osram plug you need to follow the Zigbee Touchlink procedure, one of the features of the Hue bridge that oddly isn’t available from the official Hue app. It works by placing the device very close to the bridge which then registers the strongest radio signal as a new connection attempt.
Hardware versions
There are two versions of the plug available: the EU/UK version with Zigbee Light Link (ZLL) and the US version with Zigbee Home Automation 1.2 (ZHA). The EU model works fine with Hue, but the US one needs to wait till Philips rolls out the new Zigbee 3.0 protocol to both the old and new Hue bridges in early 2018. Zigbee 3.0 includes backwards compatibility with both ZLL and ZHA.
Since the Zigbee 3.0 release on Hue this should no longer an issue. But there are reports this is not the case.
How to
- In iConnectHue go to Lights and then + button.
- Plugin the Osram plug close to the Hue bridge. Within 10-20 cm.
- Hold the on/off button until you hear a click.
- In iConnectHue select Search with Touchlink and wait.
If it doesn’t work make sure any other radio transmitters (wifi) are at least 60 cm away. Then try again. And again. And again. Eventually it should work.
Sometimes you need to hold the button for 30 seconds (5 times click sound) to perform the common 5 times 5 seconds on/off reset sequence. What works for you may depend on the specific model and firmware.
Still, doesn’t work?
Get a domotica platform like Home Assistant or Homey. They have Zigbee drivers written specifically for the Osram Smart+ devices, where Hue is only using the generic Zigbee driver. It shouldn’t matter but sometimes it does.
Notes
OSRAM/Sylvania support in iConnectHue
On deciding the definitive location make sure the distance to a Hue light or the bridge is at most 4 meters. The radio antenna inside the plug is very small.
The plug is controlled with a brightness slider where 0 is off and 1 and above is on.
When installed it works fine with scenes, groups, rooms, schedules, switches and any Hue app and service, including the official app. But it does not support Apple HomeKit or Siri, unless you use one of the domotica platforms. They usually have HomeKit drivers.
On the Hue API the plug has Model Id ‘Plug 01’ and type is ‘On/Off plug-in unit’.
The plug can be both installed and used completely without the Osram Lightify gateway. Only should you wish to upgrade the firmware you need to temporarily connect the plug to that gateway.
The included manual can go in the trash because their setup procedure doesn’t work.
Firmware
The latest known firmware (2017) is V1.05.09 aka V01020509. Osram does not provide release notes, so we have no idea what’s changed. Older firmware is known to have power switching issues, which was reportedly fixed in V1.04.12. Other than that there is no information on what updates do.
You can check the firmware version in the official Hue app. Go to Settings, lights, i button, SW field.
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Changelog
2019-08-18 – Updated product links
2019-11-06 – Updated ZB 3.0 paragraph to denote possible ZHA issues
2019-07-20 – Removed links to Homey, it is too unstable for me to endorse
2018-08-20 – Fixed downloads, Zigbee 3.0 is already released
2018-01-11 – More descriptive pretext, updated max distance to 4 meters.
Downloads
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JPEG (32 KB – 1000×401) ▼ Download – ± Preview |
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ZMP_2940400_SMART__Plug.pdf Source:;osram-lamps.com |
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Source:;osram-lamps.com |
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