With the advent of the Internet and high computer technology, significant changes have taken place in the lives of millions of people that have affected almost all spheres of life. In particular, the most ordinary things that people have been using for many decades have received completely new properties and characteristics, and have been able to be used in the most unexpected situations. For example, let's take such a familiar device as a socket. Complemented by a control controller, the socket received the possibility of remote control, which significantly increased its efficiency.
When and to whom "smart" sockets can be useful
The so-called smart sockets can be of two types:
- This device is in the form of a certain addition (overlay) to a classic outlet.
- This is a special module that is installed instead of a conventional outlet.
Smart sockets are equipped with a microprocessor that can perform the simplest function - to control the power on and off, obeying an external command transmitted from a special control panel or via the World Wide Web. A modern socket, which is called smart, can be connected to a computer via Wi-Fi, GSM, Ethernet or RS232. The computer controls the smart plug through certain applications. The connection can also be made to a server in the "cloud". Almost all models of smart sockets are controlled through gadgets - a smartphone, tablet, and the like. Cheaper models can connect to a regular router.
What can a smart plug do?
Recently, people are increasingly creating smart homes from ordinary dwellings where they live. A significant role in such houses is played by controlled sockets, which are able to turn on or off the voltage supply to any household appliance by a signal received from the outside, or by obeying a program that controls a certain process. For example, they can turn on the heating of the house some time before the arrival of its owner or maintain a certain, predetermined air temperature in it. This is a very useful and extremely important function, especially for those people who are often away from home - the owner has left, the temperature drops to the limit and there is no need to overpay for energy overruns.
Also, modern smart sockets can:
- turn off the power supply in the event of a malfunction of the device or if a collision is detected in the power supply - overload, short circuit, increase in current frequency, and so on;
- turning on and off any device on a signal through the network;
- show the actual consumption of electricity by the device at the current moment;
- send messages about power failure;
- work according to a given program, and so on.
Since a smart outlet can be set to almost any mode of operation, there can be a huge number of options for using it. The use of such sockets can turn any apartment into a smart home. The main thing is to install them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and not violate the rules of operation.
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