Various functions and possibilities of a smart plug. These may be features related directly to power supply (
timer,
scheduling,
energy consumption statistics); features that facilitate connection and integration into "smart home" systems (connection of additional sockets,
IFTTT programming); various sensors (
temperature sensor, including a thermostat,
humidity sensor, motion sensor); safety features (
"baby" curtains,
water protection,
protection against power surges); and even specific equipment like a
night light. Here is a more detailed description of the main options that are relevant for smart sockets nowadays:
— Timer. A function that allows you to turn off the power after a user-defined period of time. The timer is useful primarily in cases where the electricity needs to be turned off at a certain moment, but the user cannot do this manually — for example, if it is time to go to work and it will not work to wait for the turn off time. In addition, this function makes it easier to keep track of the operating time: instead of controlling the time by the clock, the user simply nee
...ds to set the timer on the outlet.
— Scheduled work. Possibility to set the schedule of switching on and off of electricity. This is a more advanced feature than the timer described above: the timer must be restarted each time it fires, while the schedule only needs to be set once. In addition, the schedule allows you to manage not only shutdowns, but also inclusions. This feature provides many options for setting up the "smart home". For example, if you have a nightly electricity tariff, you can configure the outlet so that powerful appliances like boilers turn on only during the “grace” period. Also, you can “tie up” an automatic irrigation system, yard lighting, etc. to a smart socket with a schedule. Note that the specific capabilities of the programmer may be different; the simplest option is the ability to set a programme for a day, however, there are models with a schedule for the days of the week.
— Power consumption statistics. The ability to keep energy consumption statistics with the help of an outlet, in other words, to calculate electricity costs for a certain period. At the same time, the simplest models are only able to display the total flow, more advanced ones can determine at what time the flow was maximum / minimum and even build graphs. The information collected by the socket is transmitted to a smartphone or other gadget via Wi-Fi / Bluetooth or to the control unit of the smart home system (see "Control"); models with control via remote or telephone (GSM) do not have this function.
— Temperature sensor. A sensor that monitors the temperature of the air in the room. How to use this feature may vary depending on the model. So, some sockets with a similar sensor also have a thermostat for automatically maintaining the microclimate. In other devices, the temperature sensor is used only to transmit data to the user, and the person, if necessary, takes some action. There is also a simple fire alarm function — when the temperature rises above a critical level, the socket sends an emergency notification to the user (or control unit).
— Thermostat. An additional feature found on models with a temperature sensor (see above). Allows you to use a smart socket to automatically maintain a certain temperature in the room. To do this, you need to connect a heater or other similar device through such an outlet and set the desired temperature in the thermostat settings: when the air cools down, the thermostat will turn on the power to the heater, and when the set temperature is reached, turn off the heating.
We emphasize that thermostats in modern smart sockets are most often designed specifically for heating; the cooling mode in such regulators is almost never found. This is due to the fact that air conditioners used to lower the temperature, for the most part, have their own thermostats and are not designed to be controlled by turning on and off the external power supply.
— Humidity sensor. A sensor that monitors indoor air humidity. The ways of using such a sensor can be different: in some models, it only transmits data on humidity to the user, in more advanced sockets, automatic switching on or off when a certain level of humidity is reached. Anyway, it makes sense to pay attention to models with such a sensor if it is planned to connect humidity control equipment (humidifiers or dehumidifiers) through them. Such a need may arise, in particular, in a nursery for a newborn: dry air is undesirable for a baby, so humidifiers are often used in such rooms.
— Motion Sensor. A sensor that reacts to movement in the room. The specifics of the use of such a sensor in different models may be different. For example, some models can play the role of a security sensor or an automatic light switch: they send a signal to the security system or turn on the lamp as soon as the sensor detects movement in the field of view. Another option for using this function is automatic protection in case of user forgetfulness: for example, if he plugs an iron into a smart socket and leaves the room, the sensor will turn off the power some time after it stops detecting movement.
— Protective curtains from children. Shutters that cover the holes in the outlet from foreign objects — for example, pens or screwdrivers that a curious child can try to put into the outlet. At the same time, the curtains are arranged in such a way that they do not interfere with inserting a conventional plug.
— Water protection. The outlet has a reinforced protection against moisture. It is these devices that you should pay attention to if you plan to use the smart socket on the street or in a room with high humidity (bathroom, indoor pool, etc.). At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the level of water protection in different models may be different, it must be clarified before use.
— Nightlight. The ability to use a smart socket as a night light — a dim lamp for night lighting. To do this, the body of the device provides its own light sources, usually based on LEDs. The classic way to use a night light is in the children's room, so that pitch darkness does not frighten the baby. However, this function can also be useful for adults — in case you have to get up in the middle of the night (or early in the morning, it has not yet dawned): it is easier to get to the main switch even in the dim light of a nightlight than in complete darkness.
— Protection against voltage surges. Protective system that protects the load connected to the outlet from voltage fluctuations in the network. Usually, relatively small and short-term power surges are extinguished by the outlet itself; if the protection capabilities are not enough, the power is automatically turned off, protecting the load from damage. Such protection is especially important for sensitive electrical appliances such as televisions or audio equipment; it will not be able to replace a full-fledged voltage regulator, however, for more or less stable networks in which fluctuations rarely occur, it is usually quite enough.
— Connection of additional sockets. Possibility to connect additional slave sockets to a smart socket of Master type (see "Type"). It is worth choosing a model with this function if you want to build a system of several smart sockets controlled through one of them. In particular, this is the most convenient way to build networks with remote control over the Internet (see "Management"): a set of one master and several slave sockets will be easier to connect and cheaper than several separate Master sockets.
— IFTTT support. Support socket technology IFTTT. This technology is used to combine different types of devices within the "smart home" and other similar systems and organize the work of these components according to the principle "if (...) — then (...)". For example, if there is an opening sensor on the door, you can configure the smart socket so that it turns on its own night light when this sensor is triggered — and the person who enters does not have to look for the switch in complete darkness. It is also possible to create longer, multi-stage chains of commands (for example, "sensor triggered — lighting turned on — ventilation started — switching on a smart socket with a thermostat"). It is worth noting that these features may be available without IFTTT; however, this technology provides a number of advantages. Firstly, it allows you to organize interaction between devices from different manufacturers without any difficulties. Secondly, IFTTT has tight integration with a number of popular web services like Gmail. Facebook, Instagram, etc., as well as special applications, thanks to which such systems can also respond to very specific events — for example, receiving an e-mail from a specific addressee.
As for smart sockets specifically, IFTTT support in them primarily simplifies integration with other components of a smart home or automation system.
