What is a smart plug and where can it be used

Modern technologies amaze the imagination, greatly facilitating everyday life. A truly innovative device is a smart socket that allows you to turn on the kettle at a distance, program the boiler to turn on for a certain time. With it, you can eliminate a number of standard daily activities, and spend the saved time on serious and important things.

Device description

The very first intelligent remote-controlled devices were developed for private households - where daily care and attention to house territories, flower beds and other plantings are constantly vital. Indeed, at a certain time it is necessary to water the plants, turn on additional lighting and a number of more complex manipulations. The ability to quickly come home and press the right button does not always exist.

Especially do not want to get out of a warm car on a chilly autumn or winter day to open the garage door. Modern gadgets came to the rescue, one of which is smart sockets. This is an original device that is connected to a regular outlet, and then a number of necessary electrical appliances are connected to it. In other words, such a device performs the function of an adapter.

You can control such a device in different ways:

• via radio control;
• SMS messages (mobile communication);
• Internet connection;
• Wi-Fi network.

Additionally, you will need a specific application for your phone, computer, tablet, thanks to which you can turn off (turn on) the outlet at almost any distance from home. You can set a timer, view work statistics and power consumption. Additional features that this device may have may vary by model and manufacturer.

Important! Several family members can use such a device, and not just one person. Access to it is allowed up to 5 people, although only one will be assigned the maximum set of functionality.

Externally, smart sockets are almost indistinguishable from conventional ones. The latest models are characterized by an attractive appearance and the ability to successfully fit into any interior. If necessary, you can group several devices at once and set them up for a specific job.

Scope of smart devices

Options for using smart appliances are limited only by the needs of the buyer and imagination. They can connect any devices using as a familiar outlet. The only limitation is the power: these devices are designed for a total power of 3.5 kW, which corresponds to a simple outlet, a connected air conditioner and a boiler of medium power consumption.

The main category of buyers who choose smart devices are the owners of country houses and summer cottages. For them, safety is important. It is always comfortable to come to a pre-heated house. Buy appliances and apartment owners who love to come to the house in the hot summer with the air conditioner already on.

Smart sockets are also well suited for people who are forgetful, unable to remember whether the iron is turned off or not. Even if the device remains on, turning it off will not be a problem.

Often devices are used to reboot equipment that has software. They are used for the irrigation system in the country, for heating the house at inexpensive rates at night, and even as alarm clocks.

Many people use them as automatic lighting, video cameras, sensors for water and gas leaks. Sometimes it is a door open indicator, a thermostat and an alarm.

The scope of smart sockets is extensive. Modern manufacturers are ready to provide a wide range of models with a lot of functionality.

Types and main differences between devices

When encountering smart outlets for the first time, most buyers are confused. This is understandable, since practical manufacturers offer a wide variety of models that differ in appearance and functionality.

All sockets can be divided into 2 categories.

Overhead

Represented by the adapter sockets described above. The demand for them is growing every year. Do not require professional knowledge or special skills to use. After the purchase, you need to go to a few steps:

• unpack the device;
• connect to an outlet;
• configure a list of specific parameters;
• connect appliances.

When you need to use the device in another room, you need to turn it off and move it.

wall mounted

To install sockets, you will need to perform a full repair, so you need to distribute the location of the devices. It is necessary to decide in what capacity smart sockets will act and what tasks to solve. The issue of power consumption needs to be addressed.

Smart sockets are also divided according to the type of control:

• radio-controlled: represented by models with remote control, respond to commands coming from a distance of up to 30 m;
• managed using mobile messages: to enable it, it is enough to send an SMS to the device;
• Internet devices: provide the ability to control appliances at home from anywhere in the world.

There is a division according to design features:

• independent models (single), with remote control;
• a single socket equipped with several control outputs, each of which is capable of receiving separate commands to turn off or turn on the device connected through it;
• a whole group of devices, among which there is one main outlet that controls the operation of the rest;
• gsm socket that accepts commands for all outputs at once or for each separately.

To understand the advantages of these categories, it is worth stopping at each separately and understanding how everything works.

The principle of operation of different types of sockets

A detailed overview of individual categories of smart devices can help you decide on the choice of model.

radio controlled

They consist directly of a single socket (a whole set of devices) with a remote control. To connect the device to work, you should install the device in a stationary socket, connect a computer, a kettle. On the outer case of the device there is a button in the form of an indicator showing whether the device is working.

It is additionally equipped with buttons that allow you to control the device in the absence of a remote control. The operation of radio-controlled socket models is usually carried out at a frequency of 315 to 433 MHz, and the average range is no more than 30 or 40 m. Detailed information will be reflected in the attached instructions.

GSM sockets

Assume control using a conventional mobile phone. For full-fledged work, you will need 2 SIM-cards, one of which will be in the phone, the second - in the socket. For this, the device has a special socket. To get started, simply connect the device with the SIM card to the mains.

The start of work will be signaled by the illuminated indicators displaying the inclusion in the network, receiving signals and supplying electricity. Then you need to connect electrical appliances to the device. For direct control, it is enough to send a message with the appropriate command. There is a possibility of control through applications in the tablet, smartphone.

Important! Sockets are also available with a temperature sensor that allows you to adjust the temperature using a convector. There is also a humidity indicator with a door opening sensor. Some models have batteries for uninterrupted operation during a power outage and are able to send messages about a failure.

Wi-Fi sockets

Internet-enabled devices are in demand. Such models are popular because they have a number of additional functions:

• may have a built-in video camera;
• equipped with movement indicators;
• capable of measuring humidity and temperature;
• may have built-in timers.

These sockets consist of a button for turning on and off, have an LED indicator and mandatory grounding. Some models are equipped with a backup battery pack that turns on in case of an emergency power outage.

The principle of operation of devices is based on a Wi-Fi network, to which they connect and receive their IP address. To control the device, a computer, laptop, phone, tablet, smartphone with an installed application is suitable.

The final choice of model depends on users who have preferences and goals for installing intelligent devices.

Basic functions of sockets

Before buying smart sockets directly, you should decide what they are for.

These devices perform several functions:

• turning on / off lighting (convenient in children's rooms);
• advance inclusion of heating devices, a boiler, a kettle before the direct arrival from work;
• remote control of the irrigation system when leaving on vacation, on weekends;
• fire-fighting, thanks to additional equipment for fixing temperature differences, the occurrence of gas contamination or an increase in humidity;
• notification of an emergency power outage;
• rebooting office equipment with programming to a different operating mode;
• regulation of power consumption.

An important function of the device is turning the iron on and off at a distance: you don’t have to rack your brains and experience fear from an obsessive thought whether the iron is turned off.

Smart devices are capable of generating an alarm signal at increased loads on the power grid to the maximum permissible level. Some models can automatically turn off faulty electrical appliances and then turn them off. They are also able to send SMS (or write an email).

Smart socket control

In managing smart devices, everything is simple. The main thing is to establish a reliable connection via the Internet, mobile communications.

The following is the control of the GSM socket:

• remove the device from the package;
• insert a SIM card of a mobile operator;
• plug the socket into the mains (220 V);
• connect devices to the device.
• enter the socket number in the phone.

For sockets operating over the Internet, the algorithm is simpler. You need to install the application, go online and track the state of household appliances in a mode where all temperature graphs, humidity indicators and other data are stored throughout the year in your personal account.

Self-manufacturing of smart sockets

Craftsmen claim that you can make one or more intelligent sockets with your own hands. But this will require certain skills and tools, a certain amount of money for specific components. You can not do without knowledge in the field of programming and electricians.

For example, for the simplest model of this device, you will need:

• external socket;
• WiFi module;
• power supply with voltage regulator (3.3 V);
• solid state relay;
• soldering iron along with consumables.

But these are just the basic components. Other components will also be required, a specific working scheme, according to which a smart device will need to be manufactured. Of course, no one bothers to try your hand, but without the necessary skills it is better not to do this in order to avoid unnecessary waste of time and money.

You should simplify your task and buy one of the smart devices in a specialized store. In this case, it will be quite simple to decide what the socket is for and what functions the device will need to have. The sellers will take care of the rest.

Smart sockets are increasingly found in homes today, greatly facilitating the lives of their owners. It is possible to connect several devices to such a device at once and control them from a distance.

There is nothing complicated or incomprehensible in smart sockets; modern children can easily understand their work. Few people will refuse such an original device that can increase the comfort and quality of life several times.