Smart socket bluetooth control android. Automating the home: a comparative test of “smart plugs. Multifunctional Smart Plug - TP-Link Smart Plug
Lately I've tested (and broken) several network controlled power outlets, including Belkin's WeMo and TP-Link's HS100. Both were controlled over Wi-Fi. Now the turn has come to a device from the Avi-on line from GE (licensed by Jasco). Unlike the others I have listed, this socket is Bluetooth-based and contains some twists and turns.
Every device in the Avi-on family includes not only a receiver, but also a network transmitter, which theoretically allows you to control any object in your home using an Android or iOS device. (Provided, of course, that they are able to "see" each other). The subject of today's study will be the BT4101 smart socket, which is also quite flexible in its configuration settings. You can schedule it for 7 days, set it to turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn (with automatic seasonal adjustments), program a countdown and make it turn on and off randomly to create the effect of presence during your departure.
I'll start, as usual, with a photo of the package.
Inside you will find a brochure and user manual.
And this is a close-up of the markings on the back.
These glue-free rubber plugs clearly indicate the presence of screws underneath.
Voila, I was not mistaken!
I have not come across such slots of screws before.
But as always, my 64-bit iFixit kit did the job.
When the screws are removed, the top cover is immediately removed, revealing access to the insides.
The first that catches the eye is the HF115FD relay from Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic.
The ground pin is connected to the corresponding wire with a screw, which seemed a little odd since the other two were just soldered. (I wonder if this is done in the interests of flexibility in adjusting production to different international standards for wall outlets?)
The outlet socket, on the other hand, is loosely laid directly in the body.
After removing three more Philips screws, we will take out the assembly from two printed circuit boards.
The main PCB controls the AC switching equipment; this is how it looks from the back.
And this photo allows you to take a closer look at some of the markings on the top side. printed circuit board.
Its connection to the second board, which hosts Bluetooth and other digital circuitry, seems a little unreliable.
This is a full front view of the second PCB. (The back side is mostly blank except for a few soldered joints.)
This close-up shows CSR's (now Qualcomm) 1010 single-chip Bluetooth radio chip with integrated microprocessor and memory.
I put the BT4101 parts back together ... and oddly enough everything still worked. I used this outlet to control the lights of the Christmas tree.
Smart plug on Arduino, what could be easier. The main goal of this project was to develop wireless sockets, as well as to “automate” Windows logon. The motivating component is to understand what RFID tags are and how to work with them. As a result, two devices were developed - an unlocking device that reads cards and a smart socket itself, which receives a "turn on" signal from the unlocking device. If you are interested in me please read it.
By the way, the deblocker in this project can both read RFID tags and write on them. The scope of the smart socket is quite large. With their help, you can remotely turn on and off electrical devices. Also, this project can be used as an example to create more complex control devices for electrical devices (more on this in the conclusion). First, I think, it is worth showing the project at work, and then tell how everything works.
What is it made of
Smart socket
Inside view:
Connection diagram:
Components used:
- Arduino Leonardo
- AC-DC miniature power supply for 12V
- Bluetooth module
- Regular 220V socket, 2 pieces
- 220V plug with wire
- Contact area
- Two-color LED for operation indication
- Chipboard platform for placing components
Learn more about the components. I placed all the components on a chipboard platform measuring 15 by 15 centimeters.
Fastening of all components to the platform is made using screws and holes pre-drilled in the platform. As a microcontroller, I used the Arduino Leonardo, since this board, unlike the Uno, for example, can act as a USB-HID device. The photo is Uno, but this is a photo taken before the idea of unlocking Windows with a power outlet appeared. We need Leonardo to simulate password entry. Instead of Leonardo for these purposes, you could take an Arduino Due, Micro, Zero or Esplora.
Relay module
As for the relay module, it has two channels:
Switched currents up to 10A at AC250V or DC30V. There are two control pins for each relay and power and ground pins. It is important to note that the pins in this module are inverse, that is, doing this:
digitalWrite (relay_pin, HIGH);
You open the relay. For the current to flow, you need to apply a logical zero to the pin.
About wiring. For the low voltage part of the circuit, I used regular connectors from a DuPont ribbon cable. For the high-voltage part, I took 2 mm aluminum wires. Be very careful and attentive when installing high-voltage wires!
About the power supply. I used the power supply for LED strips, the output parameters of which are 12V, 0.4A - enough and not a lot for Arduino. Why is it needed? It is necessary so that the low-voltage part of the circuit uses the same voltage that goes to our sockets. The plus from the power supply is fed to the Vin input of the Arduino, the minus to the Gnd. Note: It is safe to plug in the USB cable at the same time as the Vin.
Bluetooth module
Now the fun part is the Bluetooth module. In this project, I used the HC-05 module, since it can act both as a master and as a slave.
My slave is the module installed in the smart socket, the master is the module in the unblocker. Thus, the deblocker is always the initiator of the connection. These modules can be configured to connect automatically when powered on. And so I did. This bluetooth module is configured by sending AT commands to it. In order for the module to be able to receive AT commands, it must be switched to AT mode. The module that I came across (FC-114) has a button on board (see photo). If you hold it down while turning it on, the module will enter AT mode. Agree, it's inconvenient. With this approach, I will not be able to dynamically connect to any previously unknown module. It would be nice if you could apply a logical unit to any pin of the module and thus enter AT-mode. This is done in many modules, but not in the FC-114. This pin has number 34 in my module and in order to be able to connect to bluetooth modules dynamically in the future, I soldered a wire to pin 34 of the module that can be connected to the Arduino pin.
Now about the commands for connecting two HC-05 bluettoth modules. In slave mode, each HC-05 module works out of the box. You just need to find out its MAC address, which we will use when configuring the wizard. We will do this using the AT commands that I mentioned above. First, you need to connect the RX pin of the bluetooth module to pin 0 of the Arduino (also RX), pin TX, respectively, to pin 1 of the Arduino. Note that the connection here is not a crossover, because we are using an Arduino UART. Next, you need to upload an empty sketch to the Arduino, since again we are using the UART Arduino.
void setup () () void loop () ()
Further, before turning on the power, as I mentioned above, you need to hold down the small button on the bluetooth module to enter AT mode. After that, using the standard IDE (Tools -> Serial Monitor). Also, by opening Serial Monitor, set the baud rate to 38400 and set the \ r \ n character substitution after each command (Both NL & CR). You can check that everything is connected correctly and works by entering "AT". In response, we should receive "OK". Then you can write the command "AT + NAME?". In response, we should receive the name of the bluetooth module. On the this moment we are working with a slave device, so all we need to do is find out its MAC address and make sure that it works in the "Slave" mode and not "Master". To do this, enter two commands:
AT + ROLE?
If we received 0, it means that the device operates in "Slave" mode, 1 - "Master". To change this value, the command is sent like this:
AT + ROLE = 0 - change the operating mode to "Slave":
Now we find out the MAC address of the Slave, so that the Master knows who he needs to connect to. Enter the command:
AT + ADDR?
For example, the answer was "ADDR: 20: 2: 110001". This means that the MAC address of our Slave is 20: 2: 110001.
This completes the work with the Slave. Let's proceed to configuring the Master. In the same way, we connect it to the Arduino and fill in an empty sketch, open the Serial Monitor, set the baud rate to 38400, and substitute / r / n. Next, we enter the commands in order.
AT + ORGL AT + RMAAD AT + ROLE = 1 AT + CMODE = 1 AT + INIT AT + INQ AT + LINK = MAC address (example: 20,2,110001)
So, in more detail about each command. The ORGL command completely resets the device, and the RMAAD command removes all previous "pairs" with other slaves. The ROLE command, as mentioned above, having an argument of 1 means that we want the device to work in Master mode. The CMODE command with an argument of 1 (the default is 0) means that our Master device can connect to a Slave device with any address (you can set a specific one). The INIT command launches the SPP (Serial Port Profile) library, which is necessary for transmitting / receiving information. A succinct statement about why it is needed: "While the Bluetooth specification describes how this technology works, the profiles determine how to work with this technology." You may receive error 17 at this step. This means the library is already running, just continue. The INQ command means that our Master device starts searching for Slave devices. The output of this command is a list of the MAC addresses of the devices found. For instance:
+ INQ: address, type, signal 20: 2: 110001,0,7FFF
Signal and type can be ignored. We find the MAC address of our Slave, and with the next LINK command we connect the Master device to the Slave. Note that colons in the MAC address are replaced with commas here. After that, your bluetooth devices should start blinking twice every ~ 2 seconds. This means they are connected. Before that, they blinked quite often (twice a second) - this means that they are looking for a "pair".
Full list of AT commands:
Releaser
Inside view:
Connection diagram:
Components used:
- Arduino Uno
- Bluetooth module
- RFID - sensor
- LCD - module
- Mode switch
- Piezoelectric element
Learn more about the components.
LCD - module
Within the framework of this project, an LCD-module 1620 was used. This display is capable of displaying 2 lines of 16 characters each. The module connects to the Arduino microcontroller via the I2C interface. I2C - serial bus data communication for integrated circuits using two bi-directional communication lines (SDA and SCL). Data is transmitted over two wires - the data wire and the clock wire. There is a master and a slave, the clock generates the master, the slave only receives bytes. There can be up to 127 devices on one two-wire bus. I2C uses two bi-directional lines pulled up to the supply voltage and controlled through an open collector or open drain - a serial data line (SDA) and a serial clock line (SCL). The sketch uses the LiquidCrystal_I2C library to work with this module. With its help, displaying data on the display is extremely simple. This code example prints two character strings on two display lines.
void lcd_display_two_lines (const char * first_line, const char * second_line) (g_lcd.clear (); g_lcd.setCursor (0, 0); // Position the cursor at the beginning of the first line g_lcd.print (first_line); g_lcd.setCursor (0, 1); // Position the cursor at the beginning of the second line g_lcd.print (second_line);)
RFID - module
With this module and with RFID technology in general it was especially interesting to understand. Within the framework of this project, the RFID module RC-522 was used, which works with cards of the HF standard, in particular MIFARE with a frequency of 13.56 MHz. This module connects to the Arduino microcontroller via the SPI interface. SPI is a full-duplex, serial synchronous data transmission standard designed to provide simple, low-cost, high-speed interfacing between microcontrollers and peripherals. SPI uses four digital signals:
- MOSI - Serves for data transmission from the master to the slave;
- MISO - Serves for data transmission from the slave device to the master;
- SCK - Serves to transmit a clock signal for slaves;
- NSS - chip selection, slave selection
The RFID module acts as a slave and the microcontroller acts as a master.
Memory structure of RFID cards MIFARE Classic
The memory of MIFARE Classic chips has a clear structure (in contrast to MIFARE DESFIre, which has a more complex file-based memory organization). MIFARE 1K and MIFARE 4K memory is divided into sectors, 16 sectors for MIFARE 1K and 40 sectors for MIfare 4K. Each MIFARE 1K sector and the first 32 MIFARE 4K sectors consist of three data blocks and one block for storing keys (Sector Trailer). The last 8 sectors of MIFARE 4K consist of 15 data blocks and one (16th) key storage block. Data blocks are available for reading / writing, subject to successful key authorization.
About the "service" block. The Sector Trailer block stores the secret values of the keys (A and B) for access to the corresponding sector, as well as the access condition (determined by the value of the access bits). The Sector Trailer block is always the last (fourth) block in a sector. Each MIFARE Classic sector can have its own access keys and conditions for writing / reading data.
About data blocks. Each data block consists of 16 bytes available for writing / reading (except for block 0 of sector 0, which stores non-erasable information from the manufacturer). Data writing / reading is performed by key and access bits. Data blocks can be configured as blocks for normal writing / reading, or as storage blocks for conventional units (e-wallet function). Any information (numbers, symbols, etc.) can be written into ordinary data blocks. If a data block is configured as a block for storing conventional units, then work with such a block is performed using the increment / decrement commands. That is, the numerical value stored in such a block can only be increased and decreased.
About the rules of access. Access to all sectors of the MIFARE Classic card is carried out according to the same rules. Access to a particular sector is made using keys (Key A and Key B). Using Access Condition (access condition in Sector Trailer), conditions for writing and reading data from each sector are set using one key (A or B) or both keys A and B at the same time. For example, when clients use MIFARE cards, it is possible to implement reading (read-only) data from a block by key A, while System Administrator can read and write data to the MIFARE memory using key B. In the fourth block of each sector (Sector Trailer), three access bits C1, C2 and C3 are used to provide such access control. These bits can be used to set eight different modes of access to the MIFARE sector. Bit C1 is considered the least significant bit (LSB).
How I used RFID memory. Within the framework of the project, two modes are used: the main one is reading the RFID card and turning on the socket, the additional one is programming the RFID card. To authorize the RFID card, the unblocker writes a 128 byte secret key to it. 128 bytes = 8 blocks of 16 bytes. 3 blocks are written to sector 1, 3 blocks to sector 2 and, finally, 2 remaining blocks to sector 3. Authentication is required for reading by key A, for writing - by key B, which are in the trailer block. The key length of 128 bytes was chosen without any principles, at least the entire memory of the card could be used. The key is a random set of characters that is located in the firmware code of both the unlocker and the smart socket. Such a solution clearly does not possess super-security, but within the framework of the project, the task of providing a protected system was not worth it. This is also discussed in the conclusion.
Toggle switch connection
It seems to me that it also makes sense to note the connection of the toggle switch to the Arduino. The toggle switch in the unlocking device is used to switch the operating mode. In the first mode, the device reads RFID-cards and if the secret key, which was mentioned above, is written in the necessary memory blocks of the card, it sends a signal "Turn on sockets and unlock Windows" to the smart socket via bluetooth. In the second mode, the unblocker writes a secret key to the RFID card. Before writing, he reads the card: if the correct secret key is already written on it, he clears the necessary memory blocks by writing zeros. Agree, it is strange to provide the unblocker with both the reading function and the function of writing RFID cards. Why is it so - in the conclusion.
When toggle switches, buttons, switches are connected, there is a "bounce of contacts" - a phenomenon in which, instead of a clear and stable switching, we get random multiple uncontrolled closures and openings of contacts. In other words, the contacts begin to vibrate (ie "rattle") when they touch, creating many operations instead of one. Accordingly, the microcontroller will "catch" all these presses, because bounce is indistinguishable from a real push on a button.
To suppress the bounce, I used a 20K pullup resistor built into the Arduino. It pulls up to a logical unit. Since the toggle switch has both positions - ON, pulling up to a logical one is what you need. It is used in this way:
pinMode (pin_number, INPUT); // Connect the pin to the pinMode input (pin_number, INPUT_PULLUP); // Pulling the input to power
Conclusion
So, I got two devices, one of them receives signals via bluetooth and activates the sockets, as well as unlocks Windows on the connected computer, and the other sends these signals after successful validation with an RFID tag. However, as I said before, it was strange to write and read in the same device, without any protection. I did this only because I wanted to go beyond reading the RFID card ID and comparing it with a hardcoded value, and try to work with its memory, which is what it is actually intended for. Thus, now I know how to write any information on an RFID card, how to read it, how to make a Read Only card, etc. The result is a system for home use. And so it turns out, I use my device at home, the smart socket is connected to the computer, speakers and a charger for the phone are connected to it. The unblocker stands at the entrance to the room. I will not say that this is a device I cannot live without, but the ideas are real practical application he has. One of them is quite feasible and will be implemented.
It is planned to make a system for controlling access to the student's workplace in the classroom with computers. Looking ahead, I will say that our university uses a MIFARE 1K RFID card as a student card. Suppose we have a small audience of 6 computers, in other words, 6 workplaces.
First, we "clone" a smart socket - we make 5 more such devices so that, in addition to using a computer, the student can connect his laptop / soldering iron / phone to the socket. This is where the dynamic connection of the bluetooth Master device with the Slave device comes in handy, which I talked about when talking about the bluetooth module. There is no need to modify the smart plug in any way. The only thing is to look for a solution so that you cannot reprogram the Arduino microcontroller connected to the computer via a USB cable.
Now it's worth mentioning the changes in the unlocker. We deprive it of the recording function, leaving the ability to only read RFID cards. If we were using homemade RFID cards, then we still needed to make a device for writing RFID cards. Since it is planned to use ready-made student cards with ready-made recorded information, this device is not required within the framework of a future project, but if you use your own, "custom" cards, its creation would be very simple taking into account the work done on this project. Also, the deblocking device will need to be equipped with an Ethernet or WiFi module in order to be able to make requests to the management server. Which one and why, you ask? To make the system more flexible and convenient, before going to work in the classroom, the student needs to "book" a seat using this website. When checking a student's RFID card, the unblocker will contact this server to check your reservation (and anything else if you like). It remains to think about how to implement a recheck of the student's presence (left and did not attach a card) and convenient way informing about the end of "working" time.
Timer configurable using an Android smartphone or tablet.
Communication and synchronization of the timer occurs via Bluetooth, using a module installed on the timer.
100 events can be configured by clock and date.
A relay is installed on board the timer to control an external load.
Powered by 220 volts.
Connection and Application Guide
1.1 Connection to the timer.
Click. In the pop-up menu, click the item and in the dialog box that appears, click Search for hardware. Search will be performed Bluetooth devices, and the results are displayed as a list in two dialogs. On the top is a list of paired devices. At the bottom are all available unpaired Bluetooth devices.
Select your device.
The smartphone will automatically connect to the paired device.
Unpaired devices will ask for a password to login. (some smartphones notify about this with a message in the bar at the top of the screen). Click on this message or slide it down. For the first connection to the timer, enter - 1999 (factory password). After connecting and synchronizing data, a message about successful initialization will be displayed on the screen. Be sure to wait for the initialization to complete before proceeding with other steps.
1.2 Changing the Bluetooth connection password.
1. Click then [change password].
2. Enter a new four-digit password.
3. Re-enter the new password.
4. Press [Change] The message "Password, changed successfully, restart the device to take effect!"
5. Press the RST button to restart the timer.
1.3 Switching on and off.
You can turn the timer on or off using the button at the bottom of the smartphone screen.
1.4 Timer settings.
The timer allows you to configure 100 events that can be executed: once, daily, weekly, on a specific date.
1 In the list on the main screen, you can see the entire list of configured events.
2. To change the settings of any event, click on it and you will be taken to the settings panel.
3. Set the time for the event.
4. Set the action to ON. / OFF.
5. Set the day of the week or date of the event. Attention! From these settings, you can choose one thing: day of the week or date.
a. Set the day of the week: click on the weekly panel, in the interface that opens, check the box on the required day.
b. Date setting: Click on the date field, in the opened date setting interface, set the date.
c. Delete date: Long press on the date field, will open a dialog box asking if you want to delete the date setting. Click.
6. Click "OK" to exit the installation interface.
Additional Information:
An "OK" button to confirm the settings is located at the top right of the screen. When you click on it, all settings take effect.
You can delete an event by long pressing on it. After releasing, you will be prompted to delete. Click.
The smart plug is one of the most useful household gadgets we've ever reviewed. It allows you to save money, secure your home, and remotely control various gadgets - in a word, another "meander" for your smart home. Today, among 1600 models, we have selected 4 smart GSM sockets with a wi-fi connector for you - choose what is right for you. But to begin with, by tradition - an educational program.
The Chinese company Xiaomi does not lag behind its competitors, and presented the Xiaomi Mi Smart Power Plug. A distinctive feature of this model is its compactness, ease of use and versatility.
Controlling the outlet from Xiaomi and, accordingly, the equipment connected to it is possible from any place where there is an Internet connection. Function remote control convenient and safe, because now you do not need to worry about the light or iron not turned off. You just need to install the Xiaomi Mi Smart Home application, and synchronize with mobile device and a Wi-Fi network. The app supports Android and iOS platforms. You can control energy consumption using the built-in smart timer option, which allows you to set a specific time automatic switching on and turn off the device.
The minimalistic design of the smart socket will suit any interior: small dimensions (63x55x35 mm) and a white glossy coating made of durable thermoplastic that can withstand temperatures up to 750 ° C. The panel contains universal inputs, including a USB connector. A blue indicator light indicates a successful connection.
The manufacturer took care of additional safety from children in the form of built-in protective curtains, as well as automatic shutdown when the device overheats. The temperature sensor is responsible for the last option, which sends a notification to the smartphone when the device temperature is elevated.
Multifunctional Smart Plug - TP-Link Smart Plug
TP-Link has long been known to consumers as a reliable manufacturer network equipment, including in the niche of smart sockets. The functionality and features of this model will be clear even to those who have never held such a device in their hands. The design is elementary - you just need to insert the nozzle into the socket and immediately proceed to the setting.
Configuring TP-Link Smart Plug is done using special software. First, we connect the outlet itself to wireless network, and then we set it up from the smartphone as you like, since the interface has it.
Everything is intuitive: basic on / off, the ability to put the device on a timer (especially useful for forgetful people who leave the iron or heater on) or set the outlet to automatically turn off if you move away from it at a certain distance. You can even create a schedule automatic shutdown devices for saving electricity - you will have to tinker with the settings, but the bills will become less frightening, as well as the overheating of the network.
There is no confusion when managing multiple outlets - the device immediately suggests to rename the device and assign a unique icon, avoiding the typical "room1 / 2/3". Scheduling is the simplest and most intuitive interface among other models.
If the first model seemed expensive, pay attention to the next one with simpler functionality and a nice price.
Review of a real buyer Honestly, I did not know that there are such sockets until I saw it in the online store. I got myself one for the test, it turned out to be a useful thing! Now I'm thinking of taking a couple of these.
Smart socket - NooLite SRF-1-3000
Saving electricity is an integral habit of every modern person, because the use of excess electricity is harmful not only for our wallet, but also for the environment. The presented smart socket is designed for use with such important household electrical appliances as the illumination system.
So, the device interacts with such types of lamps as: incandescent, halogen lamps, LED systems, the device also supports the operation of heating systems, electric motors and contactors.
The smart socket is truly universal, because it is suitable for any output with a voltage of 220 V. The gadget is controlled using a radio control panel and waves, which, accordingly, are received by the nooLite system located in the socket block. Thanks to this, the light can be controlled from neighboring rooms and even outside the home. In addition, the socket "knows" how to memorize scenarios for the use of illumination and repeat them over and over again.
LCD Smart Plug
The microclimate of the home is extremely important both for the comfort of a person and for his health, because sudden changes in temperature quite strongly affect the functioning different systems organism. A high-quality smart socket will help you to create an individual microclimate and maintain it without much energy consumption.
The presented device is compatible with any climatic devices such as air conditioning systems, air heaters, heaters, etc. The maximum voltage at which operation is possible is 230 V.
So, a smart socket is connected to a classic socket in an apartment or office, creating its own outlet for climatic devices. Thanks to a small LCD screen and a system of buttons, you can quickly and easily adjust the desired temperature, after which the system will maintain it by itself. The thermostat also has a safety and automatic shutdown system to prevent fires.
Safest Smart Plug - Redmond
Opening the statistics of fires, you can see that one of the most common reasons ignition is overheating of electric heating and other devices, after which a short circuit occurs. Due to our dynamic lifestyle, sometimes we often forget to turn off the heater, iron, electric kettle or lamp, and this can cost us property.
To prevent the presented problem, it is worth considering buying REDMOND RSP-R1S - a universal security system for remote power supply control.
The presented gadget connects to a standard outlet and provides you with as many as four outputs for devices, namely a classic outlet, a European socket, a British type and, which is very convenient in the era of smartphones, USB interface for charging. There is also a sensor on the device that connects to the wireless Wi-Fi networks... It is thanks to him that you can control food via the Internet from your smartphone from anywhere in the world: work, vacation, walk, etc.
Real Buyer Review Very cool that it is controlled via WiFi. For me it was just the same shock! I have never seen such devices. Now I am slowly getting used to civilization.
Smart socket with Apple HomeKit support - Elgato Eve Energy
Once a smart home was considered an invention of science fiction writers, today the dream of remotely controlling all home systems is becoming a reality. The unique Elgato Eve Energy smart socket helps in this. This compact device was designed for all Apple tech lovers.
The gadget supports proprietary Apple system HomeKit, which enables wireless Bluetooth system 4.0 connect all your iOS devices to the outlet and control them both using your smartphone and using a proprietary voice assistant Siri. The device also reads the metric of the use of a particular device, thanks to which you can see such a valuable power consumption and draw a number of conclusions. The body of the smart socket is made of high quality plastic that does not burn even after prolonged heating.
Best GSM socket - ZDK GSM SC-1 White
The name of the smart socket indicates the presence of a GSM module, which is responsible for remote control of the device. In addition, in the panel of the outlet, you can see a slot for SIM card... Thus, power management is possible via SMS commands or mobile app.
The socket is in demand in the market due to its ease of use. To activate the remote control function, you must insert any mobile network, connect the socket to electrical network and then connect the necessary devices. Just 3 steps and your home is remotely controlled. It should be noted that the power of the connected devices should not exceed 2 kW. With its small size (39x25x12 mm), a battery is located inside the gadget, informing about power outages.
Most often, the outlet is used as a smart home controller: control of household appliances, doors, gates, surveillance cameras, lighting, etc.
Best Wi-Fi Socket - Smart home Hommyn Wi-Fi (PL-20-W)
The Smart home Hommyn Wi-Fi socket (PL-20-W) is a great addition to your smart home. The Wi-Fi function makes it easy to use the socket: just one press of the power button and the adapter connects to an available Internet network. Everything is extremely simple, and the indicator at the bottom of the device will inform you about the readiness of starting work. After successful connection, manage smart gadget you can use the installed on the smartphone with operating system Android / iOS special application. The socket works from a network with a power of 220V.
In addition to the function of remote control via a smartphone, the socket has no less important functions of a timer and a "schedule" of automatic switching on / off of devices. Using these options, you can program the smart socket for a one-time / permanent activation of the devices connected to it for a certain time.
The smart socket has a pleasant appearance and will fit into any interior. Elongated in length with rounded corners, it has a body made of durable white plastic and dimensions 103X63X37 mm.
Smart Plug Comparison Chart
| Name | Main characteristics | Price |
| Protocol: IEEE 802.11b / g / n, type wireless transmission: 2.4GHz, 1T1R, system requirements: Android 4.1 or above, iOS 8 or above. | ||
| Supply voltage: 230V ± 10%, 50Hz, number of load channels: 1, maximum load power: 3000W. | ||
| Temperature range 5 ° С to 30 ° С, response accuracy +/- 1 ° С, maximum allowable voltage 230 V. | ||
| Redmond |
Who to entrust this in the house.
The "Internet of Things" has been talked about more and more lately, it is for it that networks are being developed mobile communications fifth generation, but before the mass introduction of "smart controllers" in household appliances will take at least another five years. And the existing household appliances by that time are unlikely to have time to become so physically obsolete that everyone will run to change it to a new one.
Therefore, while the only one affordable way implement a "smart home" in a separate apartment - using adapters with built-in controllers remote control or, more simply, "smart plugs".
How it works
All smart sockets are arranged quite simply: inside there is an electromagnetic relay that closes and opens contacts, connecting and disconnecting the load, as well as a controller that, in fact, controls this relay. At first glance, since everything is so primitive, then there is no difference - take the first socket you come across and use it.
But this is only at first glance: in the capabilities of the controller and in the design of the outlet (as well as the maximum power of the supported load), all the salt lies! It is this salt that determines which scenarios are possible when using outlets and which are not.
Why is it needed
There can be many options for using smart sockets: they can be used with any device that can be turned on and off. The first thing that comes to mind is not to forget to turn off all electrical appliances when leaving the house. With a smart plug, you are always sure not to leave your iron on.
The second is the advance inclusion of certain electrical appliances. For example, in winter, of course, you can keep the radiator on all the time, but then you will go broke on electricity - you must admit that it is much more convenient to turn it on directly from your smartphone an hour before returning, so that it will be warm before arrival. Or, for example, in the same way turn on the boiler in the country in advance. As an option, you can program an "alarm clock" for yourself from a turning-on floor lamp and a music center with a high volume.
The third is an imitation of the presence of the owners in the house. You went on vacation to the sea, and at home every evening the lights are turned on and music is playing - the thieves, most likely, will not come to you, but to the neighbors who have peace and quiet. Finally, using a smart plug, you can reboot hung devices - for example, a router, NAS or some kind of video surveillance camera.
A couple of years ago, such devices were a novelty, but now a fairly wide range of "smart sockets" is presented on the market, so there is plenty to choose from. Let's figure it out.
SenseIT GSM sockets
SenseIT was one of the first to enter Russian market Smart sockets 5 years ago and even managed to implement in a number of regions a pilot project with MegaFon, which offered a special tariff plan for sockets. Not for nothing: after all, the SIM-card was installed directly into the socket housing! When you only have one smart socket, it may be good decision, but when there are several, you need to have a whole zoo of numbers, and memorize all of them, and also learn the syntax of SMS commands to control them. In general, the solution was for those who still use MS-DOS. The latest generation of SenseIT sockets have made everything more convenient. There are now two options: SenseIT GS2 M (master socket with host controller) and GS2 S - controlled socket without host controller.
Accordingly, up to ten GS2 S can be connected to the GS2 M, and communication between them is carried out using a proprietary protocol in the unlicensed LPD range (433 MHz) - it is also used, for example, by household walkie-talkies. The sockets can operate according to a timer and a schedule, and are also equipped with a built-in temperature sensor, so that they can be automatically controlled depending on the room temperature. True, it is only useful if you connect a heater or fan; the rest of the time, the presence of the sensor simply increases the cost of the design.
Outlets are controlled via a web interface or an iOS and Android application. Supports configurable push notifications for various events, including power outages, temperature changes, etc. Commands can be sent to additional sockets either individually or all at once. Supported current up to 16 A, that is, a load of up to 3.5 kW.
The disadvantages of SenseIT sockets include, firstly, their bulkiness: each is about the size of a good transformer network adapter- not everyone will be ready to hang such "bricks", albeit a streamlined shape, at home, spoiling the interior. Secondly, the price: the main outlet costs 5,990 rubles, and each additional one costs 3,690 rubles: it is not expensive, but very expensive!
Thirdly, the system does not scale in any way, but remains a "thing in itself" - except for sockets, there are no other "smart devices" compatible with it, and it itself works only through its own server - if the supplier suddenly stops supporting them, then the sockets will stop working. In this case, control occurs only via the Internet. If you are at home and the Internet is not working, you can turn on and off the load only manually using the buttons on the sockets.
In addition, solutions based on the LPD range are the least immune to interference, so their owners often complain about spontaneous loss of communication between the controller and controlled devices.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Socket
The Chinese manufacturer of various gadgets is famous for the fact that they are very cheap and can do the same thing as expensive models. What's more, the Mi smart socket Smart Socket- it is also an adapter, since you can connect to it different types plugs, and at the same time it also has a USB connector, which allows it to be used both as a charger and as a smart power controller for low-voltage devices.
True, here's the bad luck: despite the fact that the outlet is also sold in Russia, it is initially focused only on the domestic market of the Middle Kingdom, so its plug is Chinese, and it can be inserted into our European sockets only through an adapter, the purchase of which will also have to be attended to. Its necessity negates such an advantage of the outlet as compactness and invisibility.
The socket supports a current of up to 10 A, that is, devices with a power of up to 10 kW, and communicates with the outside world via Wi-Fi. That is, like any other device on the network, the Xiaomi smart socket receives its own IP address and then "registers" in the smartphone application, through which the control takes place. The app is only available on Chinese, but translated into Russian by enthusiasts, and the APK file for Android can be downloaded on the net.
To work with the application, you need to create a Mi-account (and if you already have, for example, a Mi Band fitness tracker, then you also have an account).
At initial setup you need to specify the SSID and password from your home network Wi-Fi, after which the socket will connect to the Internet and establish a connection with its own cloud service. Without it, nothing will work, and, for example, if your router freezes, you cannot reboot it remotely. For the same reason Xiaomi solution not suitable for use in a country house, where you are unlikely to have a constant and stable Wi-Fi.
However, for the sake of such a thing, you can keep a mobile 3G router in the country and configure the work of sockets through it, but this is an extra cost, and such devices like to "hang" with enviable regularity.
In the application, you can separately control the outlet itself, and separately - the USB output. Supported switching on and off the load on a schedule (set a specific time and days of the week), however, there is little surprise: The sockets live according to the Chinese time zone, therefore, when using them in Russia, you must remember to set the time with an offset of 5 hours.
In addition, it is supported to turn on and off sockets on the fact that you are at home. That is, if you left (this is determined by the disappearance of the smartphone from the home Wi-Fi network), the electrical appliances will turn off by themselves, you do not need to check anything yourself. However, this mode must also be configured wisely, otherwise everything will turn off at the most inopportune moment, when, for example, your smartphone battery is discharged.
Fortunately, each outlet has a button to force the load on or off. Also, the sockets can be triggered by motion detection by the Xiaomi Ants video camera.
You will not receive notifications on smartphones when the power supply is cut off. Moreover, the Xiaomi smart socket does not remember its last state, so after the power supply is restored, it will in any case remain off, and you will not know about it if you do not look in the application. So if you often experience power surges, get into the habit of monitoring the status of smart outlets.
In general, Xiaomi creates a whole ecosystem (it has not only sockets, but also lamps, air purifiers, air conditioners and even TVs) of smart devices, however, the use of Wi-Fi technology is added to the disadvantages of a closed system that works strictly through its own server.
The 2.4 GHz band is already heavily congested in cities (namely, 2.4 GHz Xiaomi devices), so the stability and reliability of the connection between the router and the devices will be very controversial. And most household routers are not designed for the simultaneous connection of dozens of devices and, when overloaded, start to overheat, slow down and freeze, so you can buy a couple of outlets, but you cannot build a full-fledged "smart home" based on them.
And, again, focusing on the Chinese market - all these adapters and timer feeds are simply inconvenient. But the price of $ 21 in China - 1,700 rubles at the current exchange rate (by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation at the time of this writing) - is not so expensive.
Redmond SkyPlug 100S
The Redmond company began to enter the market of "smart" devices not from sockets, but from multicooker, kettle, climatic devices, etc. Smart small household appliances have been on sale in Russia since 2014, and sockets went on sale at the end of 2015. All smart technology Redmond is part of the Redmond Smart Home ecosystem, has common management principles and is controlled by a single Ready for Sky app (Android 4.3+ and iOS 8.0+ supported).
The Redmond SkyPlug has a very compact size- no larger than an adapter-adapter from one plug to another, therefore it is practically invisible, being inserted between the plug of the device and the socket on the wall. The relay supports a current of up to 10 A, respectively, a load of up to 2.2 kW. Roughly speaking, you can safely connect even powerful heaters.
For control, the Bluetooth LE technology is used, that is, a control device in the form of a smartphone with installed application Ready for Sky pairs directly with all smart appliances in your home and then allows you to fully control them. offline, without the need for an internet connection. This also provides additional security - after all, the data is encrypted, and without authorization, no one else can control your devices.
All parameters (switching on according to a schedule, etc.) are stored directly in the controller's memory inside the socket, so even if there is no connection with the controlling smartphone, the system will still remain operational and independent. By the way, like Xiaomi, it has the ability to automatically turn off the load when you leave the apartment, and automatically turn on the sockets when you return - the mode is called "I'm at home".
You can also completely block the outlet so that the children remaining at home cannot turn on this or that electrical appliance on their own. The Bluetooth operating range, declared by the manufacturer, is 15 meters. Judging by the reviews of Redmond Smart Home equipment, often the "range" of BT even exceeds this distance. The low radiation power BT has and positive side: Bluetooth LE devices are much more environmentally friendly than devices with Wi-Fi, and the difference in the total emitted radiation power is multiple.
Of course, there is still no scientific evidence to support the link between radiation and disease. But no one wants to be the first to prove it by example?
For remote control via the Internet, at any distance, an interesting solution is used - a gateway based on a smartphone. You can use your own old device, or purchase an already configured smartphone gateway, released by Redmond together with MTS (by the way, when you buy three R4S devices, it is given free of charge).
The Redmond Gateway immediately contains a SIM-card with a special tariff of MTS Telematics, according to which your management costs “ smart home"Will not exceed 10 rubles per month. The gateway is a gateway: all sockets and the rest of Redmond smart appliances are connected to it via Bluetooth, and, accordingly, it is already connected via the Internet to your smartphone.
By the way, you can use both Wi-Fi and cellular communication: if one of these channels stops working, the second will remain. In this case, the smartphone or tablet-gateway can continue to be used for its intended purpose - all applications remain available. Again, the smartphone has a battery, so power outages are safe.
The Redmond SkyPlug socket separately costs 1,999 rubles, the R4S Gateway smartphone will cost 3,495. But, for example, a set of three sockets and a smartphone will cost only 4,999 rubles. What's more, Redmond also has tee extensions and smart lamp bases that work in the same way (via Bluetooth or the Internet via a gateway).
Interestingly, like other products in the Redmond Smart Home line, the SkyPlug socket regularly receives new firmware - which means that over time it can learn new use cases.
ESP8266
In the geek environment, the inexpensive Wi-Fi module ESP8266 is popular, on the basis of which you can independently make "smart controllers" to control a particular technique. After installation custom firmware you can connect to it various sensors: temperature, pressure, illumination, humidity - and, accordingly, program it to control a relay or other electronic devices according to certain conditions.
The nuance, as usual, is that all this requires some knowledge of programming and the ability to hold a soldering iron.
However, there are also ready-made mass-produced devices based on this module. For example, Sonoff Wi-Fi Wireless Switch is a small, compact and cheap ($ 6 excluding shipping) module that can be integrated into the wiring (if, again, you can find a place for it) and thus make existing sockets "smart" ...
True, and he only works through his cloud service eWeLink does use Wi-Fi (which, as we found out, is not good), but the first problem can at least be solved by reprogramming. In general, the solution is interesting, but, of course, not massive: someone will like to tinker with the installation and configuration, but most people need "buy-plug-in-work".
There are some questions about the safety of Do-It-Yourself solutions: after all, factory-assembled devices that have passed all kinds of tests and certification are more trusted than homemade ones.
Outcomes
There are other solutions on the market that are in one way or another similar to those that we talked about. Accordingly, they have the same advantages and disadvantages. LPD433-based devices are the easiest to configure, but the least reliable and have scalability issues.
There are most Wi-Fi sockets, and you are not limited by the ecosystem of one manufacturer (unless you have to install a lot of applications on your smartphone), however, the stability of the work leaves much to be desired, and the prices are quite high.
Bluetooth solutions with a router are the most versatile and convenient to use, but only one company produces them in Russia. Do-it-yourself solutions are flexible and very cheap, but take time and skill to get started. The choice is yours!
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