To be able to control kettles, ice cubes, coffee makers, etc., it is easiest to install a small smart plug between the unit and the socket.
When you do this, you get the opportunity to create automation that turns on / off the devices, and you get the opportunity to measure power consumption.
By turning on / off the device utilizing automation, so you ensure that the equipment is not on when you are not home. You can also make automation that makes the equipment only stand on for a given time at a time.
In addition, you get an overview of the power consumption of the units, and you can thus control when it is wise to use a unit, based on electricity prices.
Develco (or Frient) has such a small smart plug that does exactly this. The advantage of this particular plug, versus some of the other smart plugs, is that it is so small that you get two next to each other in a socket. This builds 41mm in circumference and is 45mm long, ie not a large plug.
Specifications
- Communication protocol: Zigbee
- Power supply: 230V +/-10%
- IP class: IP40
- Color: White
- Operation temperature 0 to +50°C
- Relative humidity 5% – 85%, non condensing
- Max. load: 16 A
- Max. continuous load: 10 A
- Overload and over temperature protection
In our setup, we have connected the ice cube machine to this, among other things.
We have made some automation that controls this. Among other things, we turn off the machine when we go to bed, and if no one is home, we also turn it off. As soon as someone gets up in the morning, or the first person comes home, we turn on the power to the machine again. Safety first!
If you connect a smart plug to a light source, you also have the option of automating when the light is to be turned on / off. One is that you may want to turn off the light when you do not need to wear it, but you can also simulate that someone is at home. Make automation that turns the light on / off when you are on holiday – and it looks like someone is home.