A. Firmware & Flashing
A1 Does the device come with pre-installed firmware? [All Series]
▶ No. All B/F/T/DM/N/AIO series devices ship without firmware. You must manually flash KCS v3, ESPHome, or your own code. Reason: users choose different firmware methods.
A2 How do I enter Bootloader mode to flash firmware? [All Series]
▶ Standard steps: ① Power off → ② Hold DW/DL button → ③ Power on → ④ Release. Device enters bootloader mode. Labelling varies by model.
A3 No COM port after connecting USB-C? [T16M, B16M, F16]
▶ Do not install CH340 drivers (ESP32-S3 uses USB CDC). Confirm data-capable cable, enter bootloader mode first, try different port/PC.
A4 Which development method: KCS, ESPHome, or Arduino?
▶ KCS v3: zero-code, HA auto-discovery. ESPHome: custom logic. Arduino/ESP-IDF: full control. KCS itself built with ESP-IDF.
A5 Will settings be lost after firmware update?
▶ KCS v3 now supports config export/import (March 2026). Export before updating, then import.
A6 Flashing firmware on macOS?
▶ Use ESPHome Web Tool (web.esphome.io) — browser-based, no drivers needed.
A7 Can USB-C power external devices?
▶ No. USB-C is for firmware flashing only, not power supply.
B. Wiring & Power Supply
B1 Board powers up but outputs don't respond? [B16M, T16M, T32M]
▶ B/T series require both USB-C (for ESP32) AND green DC terminal block (12/24V). F-series needs only main DC supply.
B2 Can MOSFET outputs control AC 220V? [B16M, T16M]
▶ No. B/T MOSFET outputs are DC only (12-24V). Use KC868-E16v2 extension relay for AC loads.
B3 F16 (16A) vs B16 (7A) difference?
▶ F16: OMRON relays, 250VAC/16A direct industrial AC. B16 relay version: 250VAC/7A household lighting. B16M MOSFET: DC only.
B4 T16M low-side switch wiring?
▶ Load positive → DC+, load negative → OUTPUT terminal. MOSFET switches OUTPUT to GND. Small leakage (100-500mV) is normal.
B5 T128M 4A rating independent per channel?
▶ Each driver IC is 4A/ch, but every 8 channels share one COMMON terminal → total for that group ≤10A.
B6 DM series 0-10V output drive LED strips directly?
▶ No — it's a control signal. Connect to a 0-10V LED driver (e.g., Meanwell LPF).
B7 Selecting right CT clamp for N-series?
▶ Formula: Input_voltage = R(5.1Ω)×2×Load_current/CT_ratio < 700mV. Example: 2000:1 CT, 30A → 153mV (OK).
B8 Power supply sizing for T32M?
▶ For 12V relay coils (~100mA each): 32 channels ~3.2A → use 12V/5A with margin. Max load ×1.2 safety factor.
C. Home Assistant & ESPHome
C1 Auto-discovery after flashing KCS v3?
▶ Same LAN → Add MQTT integration → KCS v3 auto-publishes all entities. Zero YAML.
C2 MQTT topic format?
▶ Command: [model]//SET ; State: [model]//STATE. Example: B16/08F9E08B1F58/SET.
C3 B16 analog inputs 'unavailable' after HA 2025.7.x?
▶ Compatibility issue. Workarounds: downgrade HA to 2025.6.x or switch to ESPHome firmware.
C4 Remove Tuya config from ESPHome YAML? [F16, T16M]
▶ Comment out 'uart' and 'tuya' sections. T16M has no Tuya hardware — YAML never includes it.
C5 DM32 0-10V control in ESPHome?
▶ ESP32-S3 talks to ARM CPU via Modbus RTU. Write to registers (0x0FA0..). Each channel appears as light entity.
C6 0.001 kWh precision in N60 ESPHome?
▶ Requires ARM firmware ≥ V20_260305SP, correct data types (U_DWORD_R ×0.001, FP32_R for energy), state_class: total_increasing.
C7 B16M MOSFET PWM dimming?
▶ No — controlled by PCF8575, ON/OFF only. Use DM series for dimming.
C8 Pair Zigbee sensors with AIO Hybrid?
▶ KCS webpage → Zigbee settings → 'Permit Join' → long-press sensor button. Supports Zigbee 3.0 devices.
D. Loxone Integration
D1 Models supporting Loxone UDP?
▶ F16, F24, B16M, A32Pro, T16M, T128M (v3.4.0+). F16/F24 recommended (physical toggles work even if Loxone fails).
D2 UDP command format?
▶ Turn ON: RELAY-SET-255,N,1 ; OFF: RELAY-SET-255,N,0. Reply: RELAY-SET-N,1. DI push: INPUT-STATE-1,1.
D3 DS18B20 temperature not pushed to Loxone?
▶ Enable 'Temperature Sensor Push' in KCS webpage → Loxone settings, set interval and Miniserver IP.
D4 T128M vs A128 for Loxone?
▶ T128M: ESP32-S3, KCS v3, enclosure, 128 channels — full upgrade replacement for A128. Strongly recommended.
E. Tuya App & Voice Control
E1 T16M has no Tuya module — can it use Tuya App?
▶ Yes, purchase a Tuya License (software authorisation) and activate in KCS v3 webpage.
E2 Tuya difference between B16M and T16M?
▶ B16M: built-in hardware Tuya, works out of box. T16M: no hardware, requires License, some fast‑LAN features limited.
E3 F16 Tuya App has no 'invert' for relays?
▶ KCS v3.18.0 lacks invert. Workaround: use ESPHome (inverted: true) or HA template sensor.
E4 Can HA and Tuya App be used simultaneously?
▶ Yes, no conflict. KCS v3 supports both independently; relay states sync.
E5 Does TA's Tuya module support Zigbee?
▶ Not currently (WiFi only). For Zigbee, choose AIO Hybrid or Z1.
F. Sensors & Peripherals
F1 Connect RS485 sensor to B16M / F16?
▶ A+/B- to RS485 terminals → KCS: select 'KinCony TS sensor' mode → readings on Monitor page; HA auto-creates entities.
F2 F16 4-20mA unstable?
▶ Causes: insufficient sensor supply (needs external 24V), missing shunt resistor (250Ω), poor grounding.
F3 Add DS18B20 to N60?
▶ Use GPIO15/16 (free GPIOs). Define one_wire bus, add dallas_temp sensor, enable internal_pullup: true or external 4.7kΩ.
F4 T16M connect Wiegand keypads?
▶ Yes, D0/D1 directly to Free GPIOs. Use ESPHome Wiegand component. Careful GPIO planning (7×1-wire + 3 Free).
F5 Send SMS alerts with G1?
▶ ESPHome: UART to SIM7600E, AT+CMGS. KCS: configure on webpage. Insert activated Nano SIM, check LED (800ms on/200ms off = registered).
F6 How many E16V3 units on one RS485 bus? Address setting?
▶ Up to 7 (3-bit DIP, 001-111). Address read only at power‑on → power cycle after changing DIP.
F7 Multiple DS18B20 share same 1-wire GPIO?
▶ Yes, parallel connection. Use GPIOs with 'pull-up on PCB' or add external 4.7kΩ. KCS v3 supports up to 254 TS sensors.
G. Product Selection Guide
G1 Essential difference between B / F / T / DM / N series?
▶ B: DC MOSFET, built‑in Tuya. F: AC relays, physical toggles. T: compact DC MOSFET, no Tuya hardware. DM: 0-10V dimming. N: CT energy monitoring.
G2 T16M vs B16M?
▶ T16M: space‑constrained, caravan, Loxone, access control. B16M: need Tuya voice, 10A high‑current, built‑in Tuya. Size and current differ.
G3 Dimming: B-series or DM-series?
▶ DM-series: professional 0-10V dimming signal. B24M has 0-10V DAC, but others are ON/OFF only. Choose DM for primary dimming.
G4 Home energy monitoring model?
▶ N-series (N10–N60): BL0910 high‑accuracy, CT clamps, HA energy dashboard support.
G5 Remote sites without WiFi?
▶ G1 4G module: Nano SIM, cellular to Tuya Cloud, also SMS/call control, RS485 to other controllers.
G6 DIN Rail server for HA inside distribution board?
▶ Pi5: CM5 based, M.2 NVMe, 12-24V DC, auto‑discovers FeedCurrent controllers via MQTT/ESPHome.
G7 Home alarm system recommendation?
▶ TA: 12 dry‑contact inputs, 2 relay outputs, built‑in Tuya, HA MQTT, backup battery support.
G8 F16 vs A16v3+E16v2 combo?
▶ F16 is better: includes physical toggle switches (backup control), same functionality, recommended by professionals.
H. Feature Boundaries
H1 Ladder logic (PLC-style) supported?
▶ No. Use Arduino, ESPHome, or HA automations/Node‑RED.
H2 F32 NC relay contacts?
▶ Currently COM+NO only. For NC, consider F16 or external relay modules.
H3 SSR replace mechanical relays?
▶ Current products use mechanical relays or MOSFET. SSR version possible in future.
H4 E16V3 inputs appear independently in HA?
▶ DI are for physical linkage to relays (bypassing HA). For HA‑managed DI, use A16v3 as master or replace with F16.
H5 G1 work off‑grid?
▶ Yes — primary use case. 4G cellular, Tuya App remote control, RS485 linking.
H6 Pi5 vs older Server16?
▶ Pi5: CM5, M.2 NVMe, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0, OLED display (v2). Faster HA database.
H7 N60 vs M-series energy monitors?
▶ N-series: ESP32-S3, BL0910, 0.001kWh precision, more channels. M-series is maintenance mode.
H8 B8M in 12V automotive/caravan?
▶ Yes, inputs support up to 24V. Add TVS diodes for transients. No RF433 receiver. G1 provides remote access.
I. Known Bugs & Hardware Issues
I1 T16M v3.15.0: output state not restored after power loss (open bug).
▶ Workaround: use v3.12.0 temporarily until fix.
I2 B16M rapid toggling Tuya-bound switches causes reboot loop (open, 14+ months).
▶ Avoid rapid consecutive toggling, or switch to ESPHome.
I3 B16 analog inputs unavailable after HA 2025.7.x.
▶ Downgrade HA or use ESPHome firmware.
I4 T32M new device: Output 1 always on (hardware defect).
▶ Contact admin with order number for replacement. Test outputs with multimeter on receipt.
