Automation of various processes has long been successfully used in various industries (from the first CNC machines to robots on modern automobile assembly lines). For ordinary users, the so-called Smart Home devices, turning household appliances on and off in accordance with a pre-installed program, are becoming increasingly popular. But they are distinguished by a high cost, which not everyone can afford.
A cheaper and simpler device for turning on and off automatically one electric device is a socket with a timer. This device will allow you to quickly and easily automate a variety of processes: whether watering plants in your own personal plot or turning off the TV at a certain time (if you suddenly fell asleep while watching).
Operating principle
Technically, any outlet with a timer is an adapter, which is installed between a household appliance and a source of mains voltage of 220 volts. It consists of:
- clockwork;
- programmer;
- switchboard.
The algorithm of work is quite simple. According to a program pre-set by the user, the device supplies power to any electrical device at a specific time.
Varieties
According to the timers used in outlets, they are divided into two types:
In the first, an electric motor is used as a watch, powered directly from a 220-volt household network. The second ones are equipped inside with high-precision quartz watches with an autonomous battery.
Specifications
The main technical characteristics of outlets with a timer are:
- power of the connected device: from 1800 to 3600 W;
- maximum programming period: day, week;
- minimum time interval: 1 min - for electronic devices; 15, 30 or 120 min - for products with an electromechanical drive;
- number of programs.
Electromechanical outlet device
A socket with a mechanical timer consists of:
- electric motor;
- gearbox;
- switch (on two positions: permanent connection of the load to the mains or according to a given program);
- a mechanical switch (when closed, a voltage of 220 volts is applied to an electrical household appliance);
- programmer, made in the form of a disk on which the petals are installed, with their help you can designate the required time interval (or several).
The procedure for programming electromechanical devices
Using the instructions, it is very easy to program the socket with a timer.
Attention! In order to ensure their own safety, all preliminary settings must be made before the device is connected to a 220 volt power supply.
Consider the process of programming an electromechanical outlet (with a 15-minute step) using a specific example. Suppose your indoor plants need additional artificial lighting (for example, in winter) from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. To do this, do the following:
- Using a narrow tool at hand (a pencil or a thin screwdriver), we translate 8 petals (located to the left of the number 7) on the programmer disk to the on position. That is, thereby we set the first time interval: 8 × 15 = 120 min = 2 hours. We also act with 4 petals, which are located to the left of the number 19 (4 × 15 = 60 min = 1 hour).
- Combine the pointer arrow with the numbers corresponding to the current time.
- We insert the device into a standard outlet (220 Volts), put the switch in the “timer” position and stick the plug of the lighting device into the programmed product. Now the lamp installed above indoor plants will automatically turn on for 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening.
Models and prices of electromechanical devices
In network hypermarkets selling various household appliances and building materials (M-Video, Maxi House or Leroy Merlin), outlets with a timer are quite widespread.
Elektrostandard TMH-M-3 and Rexant RX-21 are popular models among devices with an electromechanical drive, the ability to program the operation of an electrical appliance for a day (in 30-minute increments) for indoor use. The cost of each of them today is 220-290 rubles. Both products are designed to be connected to electrical devices having a power not exceeding 3,500 watts. Sockets with a 15-minute increment of the programmer are a bit more expensive (270-320 rubles): Rexant RX-28, Feron TM32 and Camelion BND-50 / G5A.
For use in rooms with high humidity or outside (with protection class IP44), the ELECTRALINE 59502 and Feron TM31 sockets are designed. The price of both products is almost the same and is about 400 rubles.
Among electromechanical sockets with a timer (switching off, as well as switching on according to a given program), devices with a weekly programming period are quite rare. The functionality of such devices is very limited: the minimum programming step is 2 hours, the maximum number of on / off cycles is 84 times a week. Model Rev Ritter 05163 3 with a mechanical weekly programmer costs 480-500 rubles.
Benefits of Electronic Timer Devices
Sockets with electronic timers have several advantages (compared to their electromechanical counterparts):
- The ability to set the range of the time interval with a minimum step of 1 minute.
- High accuracy of the built-in quartz watch (correction of readings is necessary, as a rule, no more than 1 time in 100 days).
- A wide variety of installed programs.
Since setting up a timer-socket with an integrated electronic processor, using the instructions, is quite simple (even for a person who is not particularly knowledgeable in electrical matters), we will not dwell on this issue in detail. In addition, products from different manufacturers may have differences in the sequence of stages of program installation. The main thing to remember before proceeding with the first programming of an electronic product: the built-in battery must be pre-charged. To do this, just connect the device to a household network (220 Volts) for 10-11 hours.
Device and models of electronic outlets
All electronic models have approximately the same "filling":
- quartz battery watches;
- microprocessor;
- electromagnetic relay.
Principle of operation: according to a pre-set program, the microprocessor turns on the electromagnetic relay and supplies power to the electrical device connected to the device. The bulk of these devices is designed to install 10 daily programs (total time period - 1 week).
The cost of the popular electronic models TDM SQ1506-0002, Rev Ritter 66989 6 and Elektrostandard TMH-E-4 is in the range of 680-780 rubles. Products for external use with protection class IP44 will cost 100-150 rubles more.
With remote control function
The most advanced type of outlet with an on and off timer is a device with a Wi-Fi module. Having a wireless router at home, downloading the appropriate application (Ewelink, Ready For Sky Guard or the like) from the manufacturer’s website and installing it on your smartphone, you can control any household electrical appliance via the Internet (in automatic or manual mode). On the body of such an outlet there is only one button. When it is pressed briefly, the voltage is simply applied to an electrical device that is plugged into an outlet; with prolonged exposure - the device goes into pairing mode with the Wi-Fi network. In the second case, power will be supplied either by command from a mobile device or by a predetermined program.
Popular models Redmond SkyPort 103S and Sonoff Wi-Fi 10A, compatible with gadgets based on Android or iOS, currently cost 980-1250 rubles.
Use cases
There are a lot of options for using outlets with an on timer. It all depends on what kind of household appliance you want to switch to automatic operation.
For example, such outlets are very popular among fans of aquarium fish or flower growers, since using them you can easily automate the lighting system. Moreover, having programmed the device once, you do not have to rush from work anymore in order to turn it on in time.
Connecting, for example, through such a “smart” socket of an ordinary coffee maker can add comfort to everyday life. Having filled all the necessary ingredients in the evening and set the timer for a certain time, having come to the kitchen in the morning, you will only need to pour the finished favorite drink into a cup.
For long business trips (or during the holidays), the regular turning on and off of room lighting (in the dark) will create the effect of the presence of someone in the house for “uninvited” guests. In this case, the automatic outlet will be a kind of security device.
During the period of severe winter frosts, many motorists use these devices to turn on the electric engine preheaters in advance.
By connecting a conventional room heater through a smart socket, you will return from work to a room with a comfortable temperature. Moreover, you significantly save energy, since the heater does not remain on for the whole day.
This outlet helps a lot of forgetful and impressionable people. Using it to connect an iron (with a pre-set shutdown time), when you come to work, you won’t feverishly remember if you forgot to disconnect it before leaving home.
Listing all the ways to use automatic outlets is very difficult. Everyone can find them useful applications to ensure home comfort when using a wide variety of electrical appliances.
What to look for when choosing
The main thing that you need to pay attention to when choosing this “useful assistant” is its functionality and the power of the device (which can be connected through it).
The bulk of these products is designed to connect a load of 3500-3600 watts. However, there are models for 1800-200 watts. This useful information is indicated in the operating instructions and is printed on the back of the case. Before buying, be sure to read it.
The choice between an electromechanical or electronic device depends on how important you are the accuracy of turning on / off a particular appliance. For example, for an aquarium lamp, it is quite enough to purchase an inexpensive device with a mechanical drive. Well, if you plan to use the outlet as an automatic control of the music center (in the morning - as an alarm clock, and in the evening - so as not to get out of bed to turn it off), then it is better to buy a socket with a high-precision quartz electronic clock.
Since only one household appliance can be connected to one product, the number of programs is not such an important technical characteristic, which is worth paying attention to.
Finally
Regardless of the version (electromechanical or electronic) you purchased your first outlet with a timer, it will help you in automating some everyday (sometimes boring) processes. Regularly adjusting the built-in clock in accordance with accurate real-time readings, you will provide a reliable and timely on / off algorithm for any household electrical appliance.