Along with smart lights and switches, smart plugs and outlets are the first products to get if you want to create a smart home. Some benefits of smart plugs include enabling home automation and making regular appliances and consumer electronics smart. You can use smart plugs to control small appliances like lamps and fans as well as large appliances like refrigerators, stoves and air conditioning units. However, before buying these devices for your smart home, use this guide to find comprehensive answers to relevant questions like what is a smart plug, how does it work and how do you install it?
What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is a small Wi-Fi-enabled power adapter that plugs into a regular wall outlet and controls the flow of electricity to connected devices. Once set up, you can control a smart plug from a companion app on your phone or tablet or from a smart speaker or display. It’s also possible to control a smart plug integrated into your smart home platform of choice with commands via a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Are smart plugs worth it?
If you're considering replacing your regular plugs with smart alternatives, you may wonder if smart plugs are worth it. The answer is yes! With smart plugs, you can remotely control your home appliances. This feature comes in handy when you’re away from home and realize you forgot to turn off an appliance. As smart plugs give regular home electronics some smart features, they save you the cost of replacing your regular home gadgets with smart alternatives.
Do smart plugs save energy?
Smart plugs can help lower your home’s energy consumption and reduce your electricity bill through their scheduling features. Using this feature, you can schedule some smart plugs to turn off and turn on appliances at certain times of the day.
How do smart plugs work?
Smart plugs are internet-enabled devices that connect wirelessly to a router or hub. Models that require hubs rely on these gateway devices to connect to other devices like smartphones and tablets. These hubs handle all communications and serve as bridges between routers and smart plugs. Smart plugs that don’t require hubs connect directly to routers.
Once set up, you send a command from your phone, tablet, smart speaker, or smart display to control a device connected to the smart plug. This command travels through the internet or local network to the smart plug, or to the hub and then the plug.
How to install a smart plug.
Installing a smart plug is easy. Plug it into a power socket and press the button to turn it on. After installing the device, you may ask: how do I connect my smart plug to Wi-Fi? To set up the smart plug, you’ll need to download its companion app and then log in or sign up for an account. Manufacturers usually have dedicated apps for their smart home products. Find the app for your smart plug on your phone’s app store. You can also find the URL or QR code leading to a download page in the smart plug’s manual.
After installing the app, put the smart plug in pairing mode by pressing its power button for a few seconds until the indicator light flashes. The smart plug will find the Wi-Fi network and attempt to connect to it. Follow the instructions in the companion app to finish the pairing process. Once connected to your Wi-Fi, the plug’s indicator light will stop flashing and stay on.
You can then connect the device you want to control. Some smart plugs have multiple outlets and even USB ports. These allow you to connect multiple devices and control them independently or in unison. To do so, you’ll have to give each outlet or USB port a unique name. This is especially important if you want to use voice commands.
How to pair a smart plug with your digital assistant.
As long as the smart plug supports your smart home platform of choice, you can pair it with voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Start by opening the Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple HomeKit app on your phone and add the smart plug to your smart home. If you have multiple smart plugs from the same manufacturer, you can add all of them at once by integrating the brand’s smart device companion app with your smart home app.
How to use a smart plug.
After setting up a smart plug, you’ll need your phone, a digital assistant or smart speaker to use it. You can control devices connected to the plug by clicking on it from its companion app, your smart home platform app, or by giving voice commands to the digital assistant powering your smart home platform.
Products and reference designs of Smart plug
Isolated AC/DC power supply
The power for the system comes from the mains power which needs to be converted before being used by different subsystems. Isolated AC/DC power supply includes Flyback controllers, the Corresponding products are UCC28910、UCC28911
Non-isolated AC/DC power supply
Convert a source of direct current from one voltage level to another. Non-isolated AC/DC power supply includes Buck converters (integrated switch)、Linear & low-dropout (LDO) regulators, the Corresponding products are LMR36015、LP2951-N
Relay system
The relay system allows the smart plug to control power to the load. Relay system includes Digital multiplexers & encoders、Noninverting buffers & drivers, the Corresponding products are SN74AHC257-Q1、SN74AHC157-Q1、SN74AC541、SN74LVC11A、SN74LVC7001A
Metrology
The metrology subsystem measures the power delivered to the load. Metrology includes Arm Cortex-M0+ MCUs、MSP430 microcontrollers、Low-power 2.4-GHz products、Sub-1 GHz transceivers、Wi-Fi products、General-purpose op amps, the Corresponding products are MSPM0L1105、MSP430I2040、CC2652R、CC1101、CC3200MOD、LMV324A
Wireless interface
A system-on-chip (SOC) solution which integrates a microcontroller and radio allows designs to run the application layer and wireless protocol stack on one chip. A microcontroller with dedicated RF radio topology allows designs to separate the wireless protocol stack from the application layer. Wireless interface includes Low-power 2.4-GHz products、Other wireless products、Sub-1 GHz transceivers、Wi-Fi products, the Corresponding products are CC2652R、CC2500、CC1101、CC3200
Output user interface
Status LEDs show the status of the system. Output user interface includes RGB LED drivers, the Corresponding product is LP5810
Signal input/output protection
Signal input/output protection is used to avoid the energy transfer to the MCU, which would cause damage to electronic devices. Signal input/output protection includes TVS diodes、ESD protection diodes, the Corresponding products are TVS0500、TPD4S012
Self-diagnostics/monitoring
The self-diagnostics/monitoring function is used to make sure the microprocessor has the proper voltage for correct operation. Self-diagnostics/monitoring includes Supervisor & reset ICs, the Corresponding products are TPS3808E-Q1、TPS3762、TPS389C03-Q1
Why is my smart plug not working?
If you find a smart plug unresponsive, it likely lost its connection to your Wi-Fi network or needs a reset. First, check your wireless network to confirm that the system is up and running. Next, if the device remains unresponsive after restoring internet access, reset it and follow the instructions provided in the setup process.
Besides using a smart plug to switch a device on and off, you can also set up schedules and routines from its companion app or your smart home app. Away Mode, which is a type of scheduling found in many smart devices, is a standout feature that showcases the benefits of smart plugs. In this mode, the smart plugs will turn devices like lamps and TVs on and off at scheduled times, so it appears you’re home when you’re away. This helps boost your home security while traveling by dissuading intruders.
Smart plugs are energy-saving power outlets that let you control your home appliances wirelessly and remotely. Now that you know the different uses and benefits of smart plugs and how to set them up, you can integrate them into your smart home.
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