Eli5: How do smart plugs work? How can they turn the electricity on and off when the device is already plugged in?
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The device is plugged into the smart plug. The smart plug is between the wall socket and the device and is basically nothing more than a remotely controlled switch. If you have a bedside lamp with a switch in the middle of the cord, you also can switch the lamp on and off despite the plug always being plugged in. It’s the same principle.
The device is plugged into the smart plug. The smart plug is between the wall socket and the device and is basically nothing more than a remotely controlled switch. If you have a bedside lamp with a switch in the middle of the cord, you also can switch the lamp on and off despite the plug always being plugged in. It’s the same principle.
The device is plugged into the smart plug. The smart plug is between the wall socket and the device and is basically nothing more than a remotely controlled switch. If you have a bedside lamp with a switch in the middle of the cord, you also can switch the lamp on and off despite the plug always being plugged in. It’s the same principle.
Inside the smart plug is a relay, which is basically just a switch that can be controlled electronically. When the smart plug is turned on, it sets the relay to on and power flows; when the plug is turned off, it sets the relay to off and power stops. This is no different than you flipping a switch in your house.
The electronics that control the plug itself are connected before the relay, and thus always have power*, allowing it to talk to the wireless network to get commands.
* Well, baring a disconnect upstream somewhere, such as a power outage.
Inside the smart plug is a relay, which is basically just a switch that can be controlled electronically. When the smart plug is turned on, it sets the relay to on and power flows; when the plug is turned off, it sets the relay to off and power stops. This is no different than you flipping a switch in your house.
The electronics that control the plug itself are connected before the relay, and thus always have power*, allowing it to talk to the wireless network to get commands.
* Well, baring a disconnect upstream somewhere, such as a power outage.
Inside the smart plug is a relay, which is basically just a switch that can be controlled electronically. When the smart plug is turned on, it sets the relay to on and power flows; when the plug is turned off, it sets the relay to off and power stops. This is no different than you flipping a switch in your house.
The electronics that control the plug itself are connected before the relay, and thus always have power*, allowing it to talk to the wireless network to get commands.
* Well, baring a disconnect upstream somewhere, such as a power outage.
Imagine you have a regular light switch and a robot that can turn that switch on and off.
That’s essentially a smart switch. Some use relays, others use solid state electronics. Relays are devices that can be physically disconnected to stop the flow of electricity. Many are magnetic and can be re-connected by a strong enough magnetic field which is generated by an electro-magnet when they are instructed to turn on.
The solid-states use a special substance that is designed to allow a large amount of electricity through if a small amount appears on the side of it. In reality it is much much more complicated than that, but this is ELI5.
Imagine you have a regular light switch and a robot that can turn that switch on and off.
That’s essentially a smart switch. Some use relays, others use solid state electronics. Relays are devices that can be physically disconnected to stop the flow of electricity. Many are magnetic and can be re-connected by a strong enough magnetic field which is generated by an electro-magnet when they are instructed to turn on.
The solid-states use a special substance that is designed to allow a large amount of electricity through if a small amount appears on the side of it. In reality it is much much more complicated than that, but this is ELI5.
Imagine you have a regular light switch and a robot that can turn that switch on and off.
That’s essentially a smart switch. Some use relays, others use solid state electronics. Relays are devices that can be physically disconnected to stop the flow of electricity. Many are magnetic and can be re-connected by a strong enough magnetic field which is generated by an electro-magnet when they are instructed to turn on.
The solid-states use a special substance that is designed to allow a large amount of electricity through if a small amount appears on the side of it. In reality it is much much more complicated than that, but this is ELI5.
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