The smart plugs They are very interesting if we want to automate the home. In fact, they are usually the first step we take, since they are so useful that we can even make an old appliance smart, such as an air conditioner. They allow us to control devices remotely, save energy, schedule the power on or off… However, it is important to bear in mind that any mistake we make when using them can negatively affect us. For this reason, in this article we want to show some glitches that you should not commit when using plugs with Wi-Fi.
Mistakes we make when using plugs with Wi-Fi
The idea of being able to use smart plugs is to have greater control over connected devices and save energy. But if we use them in a bad way, if we make mistakes, we can have problems. Therefore, it is essential to avoid common pitfalls and make them work as well as possible.
use any socket
The first mistake is to use any smart plug. Sometimes we tend to see any offer on the net and we buy the first one we see simply because it is cheaper. However, once we start using it, we realize that we have bought something that really does not work for us. It does not work for what we wanted and we have a bad purchase there.
Therefore, what you should do is think about what you are looking for in a smart plug and buy one based on that. In addition, it is always good to review comments and ratings from other users. In this way you will be able to see if that particular model is good, if it has any errors, what features it has, its power, etc.
You can apply the same to any home automation device that you are going to buy. Our advice is that you do not use any plug and think carefully before purchasing one so that you can really take advantage of it.
Located without Wi-Fi coverage
What interests us about these devices is that they can be connected to the Wi-Fi network and thus be able to manage devices remotely from the mobile. But of course, if we place them in a place in the house where Wi-Fi coverage does not reach, that smart plug will not be able to connect. We are not going to take full advantage of all its features.
What can you do to avoid it? A good idea is to improve the wireless coverage of the home. You can install a Wi-Fi repeater, place a Mesh system or PLC devices. In this way you can take the connection to the area where you are going to place the smart plugs.
Overload
You must bear in mind that this type of plugs has a maximum load. It is important to review the characteristics of the model you are using and see what is the maximum it supports. For example, it is common for the cheapest ones to support between 2300 and 3600 Watts. It might be more than enough for just about anything, but if you’re going to plug in something that has a higher charge you may run into problems.
For example, you may have problems if you connect an oven or a refrigerator to a socket of this type. This can lead to short-term failures, but also to gradually deteriorate and even affect that appliance that you have connected. Therefore, you can use them without problems in devices that have a low load, but be careful and check the exact model very well if you are going to connect others with a higher load.
In short, these are some mistakes that you should not make if you are going to install smart plugs in your home. In this way you will make them work as well as possible and you can always take advantage of the features they have.