Automation of various processes has long been successfully used in various industries (from the first CNC machines to robots on modern car assembly lines). Among ordinary users, the so-called "Smart Home" devices are becoming increasingly popular, turning on and off household equipment in accordance with a pre-installed program. But they are distinguished by a high cost, which not everyone can afford.
A cheaper and easier device for turning one electrical appliance on and off automatically is a socket with a timer. This device will allow you to quickly and easily automate a variety of processes: whether it is watering plants in your own backyard or turning off the TV at a certain time (if you suddenly fell asleep while watching).
Operation principle
Technically, any outlet with a timer is an adapter that is installed between a household appliance and a 220-volt mains voltage source. It consists of:
- clockwork;
- programmer;
- switch.
Work algorithmpretty simple. According to a program pre-set by the user, the device supplies power to any electrical device at a certain time.
Varieties
According to the timers used in sockets, they are divided into two types:
electromechanical;
electronic
In the first, an electric motor is used as a clock, powered directly from a household mains voltage of 220 volts. The latter are equipped inside with high-precision quartz clocks with an autonomous battery.
Specifications
The main technical characteristics of sockets 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 minutes - for products with electromechanical drive;
- number of programs.
Mechanical outlet device
Mechanical timer socket consists of:
- electric motor;
- reducer;
- switch (two positions: permanent connection of the load to the mains or according to a given program);
- mechanical switch (which, when closed, supplies a voltage of 220 volts to an electrical household appliance);
programmer, made in the formthe disk on which the petals are installed, with their help you can designate the required time interval (or several)
Procedure for programming electromechanical devices
Using the instructions, it is very easy to program the socket with a timer.
Attention! For your own safety, all preliminary settings must be made before the device is connected to the 220 volt power supply.
Let's consider the process of programming an electromechanical outlet (in 15-minute increments) using a specific example. Let's say your indoor plants need additional artificial lighting (for example, in winter) from 7 to 9 am and from 7 to 8 pm. To do this, do the following:
- Using a narrow improvised tool (pencil or thin screwdriver), we translate 8 petals (located to the left of the number 7) on the programmer disk to the on position. That is, by doing so, we set the first time interval: 8 × 15=120 minutes=2 hours. We do the same with the 4 petals that are 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.
- Insert the device into a standard socket (220 volts), turn the switch to the "timer" position and plug the plug of the lighting device into the programmed product. Now the lamp installed above the indoor plants will automatically turn on for 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening.
Models and prices of electromechanical devices
Onlinehypermarkets selling various household appliances and building materials ("M-Video", "Maxi Dom" or "Leroy Merlin") sockets with a timer are widely represented.
Popular models among devices with an electromechanical drive, the ability to program the operation of an electrical household appliance throughout the day (in 30-minute increments) for indoor use are Elektrostandard TMH-M-3 and Rexant RX-21. The cost of each of them today is 220-290 rubles. Both products are intended for connection to electrical appliances with a power not exceeding 3500 W. A little more expensive (270-320 rubles) are sockets with a 15-minute programmer step: Rexant RX-28, Feron TM32 and Camelion BND-50 / G5A.
ELECTRALINE 59502 and Feron TM31 sockets are intended for use in rooms with high humidity or outside (with protection class IP44). The price for both products is almost the same and is about 400 rubles.
Among the electromechanical sockets with a timer (off and 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.
Advantages of devices withelectronic timer
Electronic timer outlets have a number of 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 (readings need to be adjusted, as a rule, no more than once every 100 days).
- Great variety of installable programs.
Since it is quite simple to set up a timer socket with a built-in electronic processor using the instructions (even for a person who is not particularly knowledgeable in electrical engineering), we will not dwell on this issue in detail. In addition, products from different manufacturers may have differences in the sequence of program installation steps. The main thing to remember before you start programming an electronic product for the first time is that the built-in battery must first be charged. To do this, just connect the device to a household network (220 Volts) for 10-11 hours.
Design and models of electronic sockets
All electronic models have approximately the same "stuffing":
- quartz battery watch;
- 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 10daily programs (total time period - 1 week).
The cost of 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 outdoor use with IP44 protection class will cost 100-150 rubles more.
With remote control function
The most advanced type of socket with an on and off timer is a device with a Wi-Fi module. Having a wireless router at home, downloading the appropriate application from the manufacturer’s website (Ewelink, Ready For Sky Guard or similar) and installing it on your smartphone, you can control any household electrical appliance via the Internet (in automatic or manual mode). There is only one button on the body of such an outlet. When it is pressed briefly, the voltage is simply applied to the electrical device plugged into the outlet; with prolonged exposure - the device enters the pairing mode with the Wi-Fi network. In the second case, power will be supplied either on command from a mobile device, or according to a predetermined program.
Popular Redmond SkyPort 103S and Sonoff Wi-Fi 10A models, compatible with gadgets based on Android or iOS, currently cost 980-1250 rubles.
Use cases
There are a lot of options for using sockets with a turn-on timer. It all depends on which household appliance you want to switch to automatic operation.
For example, these sockets are very popular withlovers of aquarium fish or flower growers, as they can be used to easily automate the lighting system. Moreover, having programmed the device once, you will no longer have to rush from work to turn it on in time.
Add comfort to everyday life can be connected, for example, through such a "smart" socket of an ordinary coffee maker. Having filled all the necessary ingredients in the evening and setting the timer for a certain time, when you come to the kitchen in the morning, you will only need to pour your favorite drink into a cup.
During long business trips (or during vacations), regularly turning on and off room lighting (at night) will create the effect of the presence of someone in the house for "uninvited" guests. In this case, the automatic socket will be a kind of security device.
During severe winter frosts, many motorists use these devices to pre-ignite electric engine preheaters.
By connecting an ordinary room heater through a smart socket, you will return from work to a room with a comfortable temperature. Moreover, you save a lot of electricity, because the heater does not stay on for the whole day.
This socket is very helpful for forgetful and impressionable people. Using it to connect the iron (with a pre-set shutdown time), when you come to work, you will not frantically remember if you forgot to turn it off before leaving the house.
List all the uses of automatic sockets are verydifficult. Everyone can find useful use for them to ensure the comfort of home using a variety of electrical appliances.
What to look for when choosing
The main thing 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 also indicated in the instruction manual, and is printed on the back of the case. Be sure to check it out before buying.
The choice between an electromechanical or electronic device depends on how important the accuracy of turning on / off a particular household appliance is to you. 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 - in order not to get out of bed to turn it off), then it is better to buy an outlet 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 that you should pay attention to.
In conclusion
No matter what version (electromechanical or electronic) you purchasedyour first power outlet with a timer, it will help you automate some of your everyday (sometimes boring) processes. By regularly adjusting the built-in clock according to accurate real time readings, you will provide a reliable and timely algorithm for turning on / off any household electrical appliance.
