Smart Switches and Sockets

How Do Smart Switches Work?

Even though smart switches have a complicated design compared to regular switches, they are fairly easy to use once you get familiar with their functions. When you press a button on smart switches, they send a wireless signal to control your smart light. These signals typically travel through either your WiFi or Bluetooth. Smart switches turn lights on and off, and they also adjust brightness or act as dimmers for your light bulbs. 

You can create presets on your smart switches to create the lighting of your choice for every room. These presets are often called scenes, and in your present, you can choose your preferred lighting colour along with a brightness combination. 

Most smart switches require setup with a mobile phone device. Your mobile phone essentially acts as a control panel for your smart switches. You can easily control every aspect of your smart switch from your handheld device. 

Most smart switches come with a mobile phone that provides setup, schedules, dimmer, colour, and control options. Smart switches and their mobile apps use geofencing, which uses your phone’s location data to trigger your home lights automatically. 

Geofencing is a virtual geographical boundary that enables software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves that area. With smart switches, if your phone enters the geofencing border, you can control your lights from your phone; however, if you are out of the geofencing boundary, you won’t be able to manage your smart switches. 

The geofencing rules differ with each brand; some brands offer a wide geofencing radius while others have a boundary slightly further from your home. 

Every smart switch brand has its specific features, and each component varies by brand. However, there are certain sets of features that you will find across all smart switch apps. It’s important to note that some smart switch manufacturers offer light bulbs designed to work with their smart switch. 

Always double-check the requirements on the packaging before purchasing a smart switch product. If you don’t double-check the packaging, you might end up with a smart switch that works with specific smart light bulbs.  

What Are The Features Of Smart Switches?

There are several great features of smart switches that elevate your lighting system. Here are some of the most common smart switches you can find across all brands.

Basic Functions

Most all brands of smart switches include basic features such as on and off function and dimming and brightening features. With these basic features, you can control the scene of your room. Smart switch elevates these basic features and allows you to manage your lighting through your mobile phone. 

WiFi Integration

With this feature, you can connect your smart switch to your WiFi for easy access and control. You can easily create a connected smart home when your smart switches are connected to WiFi. 

Home Kit Integration

Almost all smart switches are integrated with home assistant technologies. Remember to check your smart switch specification to ensure it is integrated with your home assistant device. 

If you have a home kit device, you can incorporate your switch to activate your smart switch functions with voice control. 

Customisation Options

One great feature of smart switches is that it allows you to customise your rooms. You can control the brightness and the colour of your lightbulb, and you can vary your light settings across different rooms. Smart switches allow endless customisation opportunities you wouldn't find in regular switches. 

Smart switches have precise control that is much more accurate than manual controls. If you want to dim the lights in your kitchen, you will have a much easier time doing so with a smart switch. 

Light Scheduling

With smart switches, you can create custom schedules for your lights. You decide when your want your lights to switch off or switch on. You can create schedules with your phone even while you are away. Light scheduling is also a great way to save power as you have control of your light whenever you want. 

Extra Features

Some smart switches come with extra features that aren’t commonly found across every smart switch brand. Check your product description to determine which special quality your preferred smart switch offers. 

What Are The Basic Types Of Smart Switches?

There are two types of basic smart switches - in-wall and on-wall. In-wall switches are wired to your house’s system, whereas on-wall switches are battery-powered. You should use smart wall switches if you want to replace your existing traditional light switches. 

Even though the installation process for in-wall switches is slightly more complicated, they work best as a replacement. Before installing your smart switches, check if you have neutral and/or ground wires. 

Opting for on-wall switches won’t have to worry about wiring problems as they only require batteries. On-wall switches are easily integrated with your existing wire circuits. A stand-alone smart switch easily sticks to your wall, and it's a solution if you want to add a switch to areas with no wiring. 

On-wall switches tend to work better as temporary light switches; therefore, if you want to create a smart home permanently, you should go for an in-wall switch. 

What Are Smart Sockets?

Smart sockets are a simple way to automate your home’s wired devices. To set up smart sockets, you must plug the socket into an outlet and then connect it to your WiFi network. Every package of smart sockets comes with instructions on connecting your socket with the WiFi and integrating it with an app on your mobile phone or tablet. 

After you connect your device, you plug a wired appliance such as a fan or a lamp into your smart sockets, and you’ll have full control over them on your phone. You can control these devices wherever you go. 

The main idea behind smart sockets is that they turn your “dumb” devices into smart devices. With smart sockets, you don’t have to worry about complicated wiring and installation to create “smart” appliances. 

You also don’t need to speed a lot of money replacing your old “dumb” devices with new smart devices, as one smart plug can transform multiple appliances into smart products. 

Smart sockets serve a different function than smart switches. While a smart switch automates your lighting system, smart sockets are a great way to automate other electrical appliances in your home. 

Smart sockets are also not permanent fixtures like a smart switch. The sockets act as a plug you can integrate your devices. Due to this function, smart sockets are also sometimes called a smart plug. 

You can integrate your smart plug and use voice activation to control your appliances if you have a smart home device. Smart plugs are usually sold as individuals, but you can also find smart plug power strips so you can plug in multiple devices.   

How Do Smart Sockets Work?

Smart sockets are very easy to use. Before purchasing smart sockets, ensure they fit your switches' interior for seamless integration. Even though smart sockets look bulky, they don’t stick out too much. To use smart sockets, you must find an outlet. 

Put your smart plug into the outlet and then plug another device such as a lamp or an electronic appliance. Once you plug in the appliance, you can connect your smart plug to your home’s WiFI. You can also connect your smart sockets to home assistant appliances at this stage. 

When you combine everything, you can control your plugged-in device using on and off commands sent through the app or a smart home kit. 

What Are The Features Of Smart Sockets?

Not all smart plugs are the same, but good-quality smart sockets have a comprehensive list of great features that elevate your lifestyle. 

Since each smart socket has a different function, you must consider what you want from smart sockets before making a purchase. Here are some great features of smart sockets. 

Make “Dumb” Appliances Smart.

This feature is one of the most important functions of smart sockets. You should use smart sockets if you want a cheaper way to turn your “dumb” appliances into smart ones. For example, if you're going to automate a basic lamp or coffee maker, you can integrate these devices into smart sockets. 

Once you plug in these devices, you can automatically turn them on and off from your mobile device. You can also use voice activation and your home assistant to turn on these devices. If you sit in your bedroom, you can turn on your coffee maker with your mobile phone without leaving the room. 

Turn Your Devices On/Off From Anywhere.

Your smart sockets work like any other smart device so that you can turn your appliances off from anywhere. You can also create schedules for your appliances, or you can set a timer for operating times. For example, you can schedule your lamps to turn off in the morning and turn on when it is evening. 

Control Power Zones

If you use multiple smart sockets, you can group them together to create a power zone. For example, if you use smart sockets to light up various lamps, you can control all these devices with your phone. If you want to create a control power zone, you must use similar smart sockets throughout your house. 

Control Outdoor Devices

Smart sockets aren’t just useful for indoor appliances; you can also use them for outdoor devices. You can integrate your garden lights into smart sockets to control them with your phone. 

Track Power Usage

Smart sockets are a great way to prevent and restrict latent energy consumption by devices when they are turned off. Smart socket apps allow you to track your power usage in real-time. With your smart plug app, you get information about energy use and the cost of use for a specific appliance. 

What Are Smart Weatherproof Sockets?

If you want to create smart devices outdoors, you must use smart weatherproof sockets. Smart weatherproof sockets are an inexpensive way to create a smart home. Smart weatherproof sockets are used primarily outdoors as these smart sockets withstand any type of weather condition. 

You can use smart weatherproof sockets for outdoor lighting, music, or security systems. Smart weatherproof sockets work similarly to indoor smart sockets. All you need to do is plug in your smart weatherproof sockets into outdoor outlets and then plug in your device. You can connect smart weatherproof sockets to your WiFi or home assistant for access and control. 

What Are The Benefits Of Smart Switches?

There are several ways smart switches benefit your home. Here are some of the biggest benefits of installing smart switches. 

Elevated Convenience

One of the biggest benefits of smart switches is their convenience. Smart switches offer much better convenience than regular traditional switches. With smart switches, you don’t have to get up to turn all the lights on/off in your house. You can simply control all your home lighting from your handheld device. 

Schedule Everything

Smart switches don’t just provide convenience in movement, but they also help you with management and organisation. 

With smart switches, you can schedule and set your home lights to behave differently depending on the time of the day. You can set softer lighting for evenings or set up bright lighting to help you get up. 

Improve Security And Save Money

Apart from convenience, one of the major advantages of smart switches is that you can save money through motion sensors and scheduling. 

These features allow you to keep your lights off when they are not needed. On the other hand, you can improve your security by turning on lights when you aren’t home, as this will deter thieves. 

What Are Common Concerns Of Smart Switches?

Since smart switches are very different from traditional ones, many consumers have concerns and questions. Here are the answers to some common questions about smart switches.

How To Install Smart Switches? 

Smart switches require an existing neutral wire or neutral line to work. For most current homes, you will find neutral wiring for all outlets and switches throughout your home. If you live in an older home, you must check and ensure you have a neutral line before installing smart switches. 

In older homes, if your switch is located close to a socket and if it's in a unit with multiple switches, you will meet the installation requirements. If your home was built before 1990, you might have sockets without a neutral line. It’s fairly easy to check your wiring on your own. Firstly, you must turn off all electricity to the room or the entire house for safety. 

Make sure to turn your electricity off at the breaker, even if you are just checking the wiring. Once you remove the switch cover, check for a blue wire. In the UK, the neutral line is coded with blue, and if you have this wire in your home, you can install smart switches. 

What if I Don’t Have A Neutral Line? 

If you don’t see a blue plastic-covered cable within the wiring system, your home’s wiring might not be compatible with smart switches. 

If you want to install smart switches, you will need to update your home’s wiring to the current building codes in order to install smart switches. A qualified electrician can analyse and examine your wiring, and they will provide more information regarding any necessary upgrades. 

However, if you believe that changing your home’s wiring is impossible, there are some smart switches that install on top of existing light switches. These smart switches are battery-powered, and they use magnets to snap into place without wiring.  

However, they are less reliable than hard-wired smart switches and might not integrate with your smart home assistant system. Carefully review such devices before purchasing them, as you might lose a lot of money on a smart switch you don’t need. 

What Are Common Concerns Of Smart Sockets?

Any time you use an electrical appliance, it’s important to be cautious. Here are some common concerns and answers about smart sockets. 

Do Smart Sockets Increase The Risk Of Electric Shock Or Fire?

Since smart sockets require multiple plugins, you might wonder if there is an increased fire or electric shock risk. It’s important to note that smart sockets are manufactured to meet the same standards and codes as installed plug outlets. 

 Several smart socket models sometimes exceed the minimum safety required safety codes. Most smart sockets include an automatic shut-off feature that, in the event of a power surge or any other electrical incident, immediately shuts off to the shop, damaging your plugged-in electronics. In this way, smart sockets increase safety more than traditional sockets in many homes.

Are There Any Devices You Shouldn’t Use With Smart Sockets?

Most smart socket manufacturers recommend plugging your devices directly into the smart sockets. Manufacturers advise against using a standard power strip or any additional extensions with your smart socket. 

 Multiple power strips and extensions will increase the fire hazard of your socket; in some cases, your socket will stop working due to overload. 

What Are The Best Brands For Smart Sockets And Smart Switches? 

Here are some of the best smart switches, sockets and plugs options. You can find these smart products at Meteor Electrical. 

Knightsbridge 13A Smart 2G Switched Socket Knightsbridge White

This device includes a socket and switches, so you have multiple application options. With Knightbridge smart sockets, you can control your sockets anywhere you want with your mobile phone. 

This socket is compatible with home assistant systems like Alexa and Google. This smart socket is also available in a curved design to seamlessly match your wall sockets.

Knightsbridge 16A Smart Plug

The Knightbridge smart plug is a great way to turn your normal appliances smart. This smart plug allows you to control your products with your mobile phone or tablet and create a schedule for your devices. This smart plug comes with an easy-to-use app that makes installation seamless.