Smart plugs

[Silverzedtom]

Anybody got any feedback on smart plugs?

I have bathroom niche and bath panel lights fitted in my bathroom, I made use of a would be redundant electrical supply that’s under the bath (well out the way of any potential water leak areas) so I wired the led drivers to the fused spur under there temporarily but now I need to think about controlling them Once the bath panels fitted. I could have wired them to the bathroom lights but wanted individual controls.

I’ve had been thinking about a wireless rf relay but that would mean having to mount an additional switch in the bathroom.

I’ve got various nest products and amazon Alexa, so thought I’d get a smart plug such as a belkin wemo so I can either ask for the bathroom lights to be switched on or go on the app. I’m going to tile the bath panel with a removable tile, but it will be a royal PITA to have to keep getting to the plug to re pair / reset if it’s not reliable.

Anyone have any reccomendations on a plug or feedback as to weather they are reliable?

1st world problems eh?

 

[obewan]

Not really answering your question, but another potential solution...
I've just installed LED down-lights in a fire surround and used an infrared motion switch.
cheap, really small and works a treat. Wave your hand near it and hey presto

 

[Silverzedtom]

Not really answering your question, but another potential solution...
I've just installed LED down-lights in a fire surround and used an infrared motion switch.
cheap, really small and works a treat. Wave your hand near it and hey presto

that would have been a good option, only trouble is fishing a cable in would be impossible now, a good idea though

 

[TitanTim]

I've been using Hive plugs for years and never had any issues but all depends on reliability of the wifi connection at the end of the day. The only thing with alot of these plugs is they can be baulky if its needed in a tight space.

Having said that I needed a small wifi plug recently for a replacement washing machine as the power flex was too short to reach above kitchen work surface so had to use a wall socket behind the washing machine below the work surface. I wasn't comfortable knowing power was continously feeding the washing machine and not being able to turn power off at the wall socket.

I found this plug which is compact and works well with its own App https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIIAT-13A-Intelligent-Wifi-Smart-Timer-UK-Plug-Socket-Outlet-Amazon-Alexa-Google/123553454403?epid=16028121496&hash=item1cc45c1943:m:mVcCMxDbmikuBBWjOzCnKMw

I've paired it with Alexa so just ask Alexa to switch washing machine on/off. I would have used a Hive plug but found it too large as the wall socket is just under the work surface so wouldn't fit in the space.

Tim.

 

[djstan]

I'm an Apple man and have been using Elgato Eve smart plugs for a while - they're really good! Never need resetting or anything like that I'm sure they are compatible with non-Apple stuff too..

 

[noiseboy72]

Hmmm...
Under a bath is definitely within the "wet" area and you should not be fitting a socket or unprotected electrical equipment there. More info here: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/bathroom-safety/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o3lwMRh9_f1x-H6JN8lSmy8eeC3mWPJ5fAN_C-XOPDUN2ScptBj8SMaAgYzEALw_wcB

I'm assuming that the LEDs you have fitted are designed for bathroom use and come with a fully sealed power supply? Smart plugs are highly unlikely to be suitable for this and the damp environment will affect their longevity. If you can chase the spur back, it should end up with its own breaker in the fuse box. You could then get something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rail-WiFi-Relay-Android-Wireless/dp/B01AHUQ2HM fitted to remotely switch the spur. Make sure you fit a suitable MCB - 3A should be fine and ensure it's protected by an RCD.

Sorry to sound like an over cautious worry guts, but dodgy electrics and water do not mix. Not only could it be really dangerous, but you might find that it starts to nuisance trip after a while as the damp gets in!

 

[Silverzedtom]

I've been using Hive plugs for years and never had any issues but all depends on reliability of the wifi connection at the end of the day. The only thing with alot of these plugs is they can be baulky if its needed in a tight space.

Having said that I needed a small wifi plug recently for a replacement washing machine as the power flex was too short to reach above kitchen work surface so had to use a wall socket behind the washing machine below the work surface. I wasn't comfortable knowing power was continously feeding the washing machine and not being able to turn power off at the wall socket.

I found this plug which is compact and works well with its own App https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIIAT-13A-Intelligent-Wifi-Smart-Timer-UK-Plug-Socket-Outlet-Amazon-Alexa-Google/123553454403?epid=16028121496&hash=item1cc45c1943:m:mVcCMxDbmikuBBWjOzCnKMw

I've paired it with Alexa so just ask Alexa to switch washing machine on/off. I would have used a Hive plug but found it too large as the wall socket is just under the work surface so wouldn't fit in the space.

Tim.

Thanks Tim, will certainly look into that, would be handy having a smaller plug as access is a little tricky. Good point about the wifi, although ours is generally pretty reliable touch wood.

 

[Silverzedtom]

I'm an Apple man and have been using Elgato Eve smart plugs for a while - they're really good! Never need resetting or anything like that I'm sure they are compatible with non-Apple stuff too..

thanks, I did look into those but as you say I don’t think it’s possible to get them linked with Alexa

 

[Silverzedtom]

Hmmm...
Under a bath is definitely within the "wet" area and you should not be fitting a socket or unprotected electrical equipment there. More info here: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/bathroom-safety/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt_nmBRD0ARIsAJYs6o3lwMRh9_f1x-H6JN8lSmy8eeC3mWPJ5fAN_C-XOPDUN2ScptBj8SMaAgYzEALw_wcB

I'm assuming that the LEDs you have fitted are designed for bathroom use and come with a fully sealed power supply? Smart plugs are highly unlikely to be suitable for this and the damp environment will affect their longevity. If you can chase the spur back, it should end up with its own breaker in the fuse box. You could then get something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rail-WiFi-Relay-Android-Wireless/dp/B01AHUQ2HM fitted to remotely switch the spur. Make sure you fit a suitable MCB - 3A should be fine and ensure it's protected by an RCD.

Sorry to sound like an over cautious worry guts, but dodgy electrics and water do not mix. Not only could it be really dangerous, but you might find that it starts to nuisance trip after a while as the damp gets in!

I appreciate your advice, and 100% agree that it’s not ideal by any stretch of the imagination but the void behind a bath panel isn’t classed as an electrical zone and it also requires tooled access to get to so it does meet the regulations. In my case the outlet is actually slightly out of the perimeter of the bath as I boxed an alcove and left a void underneath.

If there were regs on electrical outlets being near potential leak areas they would all have to be ip67 rated :lol: .

The drivers and leds are correctly rated for their placement, the leds themselves can be fitted externally too so no problems there.

I work as a gas engineer / plumber and have had to check the 17th edition for regs on zones for shower processors under / near baths and am confident that it’s all done correctly, safely and to regs

 

[noiseboy72]

I have to admit I am an industrial engineer, not domestic, but I do know you cannot fit a domestic socket within 3m of a bath. Appreciate this is going to be hidden away, but I think it might technically still be an infringement.

Is there any reason why you couldn't fit the remote switch at the other end of the spur? I'm guessing it originally fed a shower or shaver socket, so should be accessible?

 

[Silverzedtom]

I have to admit I am an industrial engineer, not domestic, but I do know you cannot fit a domestic socket within 3m of a bath. Appreciate this is going to be hidden away, but I think it might technically still be an infringement.

Is there any reason why you couldn't fit the remote switch at the other end of the spur? I'm guessing it originally fed a shower or shaver socket, so should be accessible?

The bathroom used to be a disabled wet room, as that meant the waste for the shower was below ground level the original installer has spured from a kitchen socket and fitted a waste pump. They had built a stud wall in front of the solid wall the pump was fixed to. As I wanted to make enough room for a bath I ripped the wall down and moved the spur so access is gained by removing the panel.

I know it isn’t industrial but If we were to put this situation into a commercial setting it can’t be any different to having a standard fused spur feeding a solenoid for an IR tap underneath a wash hand basin? I’ve seen loads of them behind IPS panels, new build and existing.

As I said it’s not the ideal place to put 240v, but it meets the regs and has saved me a few grey hairs tearing the house apart to find another solution.

 

[noiseboy72]

Fair enough, so it's spurred off the ring main? Probably going to be tricky to fit anything anywhere sensible then.

My point about the socket is that yes on an exhibition we would fit a fused spur, but not a domestic socket within the wet zone. I am guessing that if you want to use a smart plug, this will mean a socket to plug it into. We needed to do something similar at home in the summer house to run a pond pump on a timer. I ended up fitting an immersion heater timer, as it was encapsulated rather than a plug in time switch, which would not have fitted in the outdoor socket with the lid closed.

How about an encapsulated smart switch? There seems to be a few rated for outdoor use and I'm sure I've seen one with a touch control on the front as well. Have a look at TLC electrical.

 

[Silverzedtom]

Fair enough, so it's spurred off the ring main? Probably going to be tricky to fit anything anywhere sensible then.

My point about the socket is that yes on an exhibition we would fit a fused spur, but not a domestic socket within the wet zone. I am guessing that if you want to use a smart plug, this will mean a socket to plug it into. We needed to do something similar at home in the summer house to run a pond pump on a timer. I ended up fitting an immersion heater timer, as it was encapsulated rather than a plug in time switch, which would not have fitted in the outdoor socket with the lid closed.

How about an encapsulated smart switch? There seems to be a few rated for outdoor use and I'm sure I've seen one with a touch control on the front as well. Have a look at TLC electrical.

yes straight from the main so it is a bit tricky to do a lot with. They have spured from the socket so I want to change that for a socket outlet and fit a smart plug of some description.

Thanks for the reccomendation, I’ll have a look