Quick questions about Tapo smart plugs.....

mmmmikey

Hi - a couple of quick questions about Tapo plugs if I may? I'd like to monitor power usage and also set up a couple of timeswitches in my workshop/shed which is out of range of the house WiFi. If I set up Tapo P110s with schedules in the house, will the schedules work if I then move them to the shed or do they rely on a WiFi connection to switch at the right times? Also, will they record energy data which I can then get access to by moving them back to the house? Thanks, Mike.

MattMattMattUK

mmmmikey said:

Hi - a couple of quick questions about Tapo plugs if I may? I'd like to monitor power usage and also set up a couple of timeswitches in my workshop/shed which is out of range of the house WiFi. If I set up Tapo P110s with schedules in the house, will the schedules work if I then move them to the shed or do they rely on a WiFi connection to switch at the right times? Also, will they record energy data which I can then get access to by moving them back to the house? Thanks, Mike.

Yes they will function without WiFi and still record usage, though I do not know what the tike drift would be over time. I took one into work to measure some usage, did not bother to change it to the work network and the data was fine when I took it home a week later. Not sure if there is a maximum time without WiFi that they will function correctly though.

I did also set two up on my phone with tethering as the network so I could use them away from WiFi and that worked fine as well. 

mmmmikey

Thanks @MattMattMattUK that answers my question perfectly

[Deleted User]

As an aside, how is the workshop/shed powered? If it’s wired up to your house, you could extend your Wi-Fi network with power line adapters, also from TP-Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QSK84JL

Though, I apologise for the cost of this suggestion; they’ve jumped in price since I bought them.

mmmmikey

[Deleted User] said:

As an aside, how is the workshop/shed powered? If it’s wired up to your house, you could extend your Wi-Fi network with power line adapters, also from TP-Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QSK84JL

Though, I apologise for the cost of this suggestion; they’ve jumped in price since I bought them.

Thanks for the idea - something to look at. It's not something I'd do purely for the smart plugs but it would certainly be useful to have wifi in the workshop for web browsing and internet radio. I hadn't really thought of using power line adapters - the power does come from one of the house circuits but via a mini consumer unit in the shed - not sure if that would get in the way? A really helpful suggestion though and something I'll definitely be following up, thanks again

matt_drummer

I bought a wi-fi extender for similar reasons, it does exactly what it says and the cost was minimal.

Qyburn

mmmmikey said:

[Deleted User] said:

As an aside, how is the workshop/shed powered? If it’s wired up to your house, you could extend your Wi-Fi network with power line adapters, also from TP-Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QSK84JL

Thanks for the idea - something to look at. It's not something I'd do purely for the smart plugs but it would certainly be useful to have wifi in the workshop for web browsing and internet radio. I hadn't really thought of using power line adapters - the power does come from one of the house circuits but via a mini consumer unit in the shed - not sure if that would get in the way? A really helpful suggestion though and something I'll definitely be following up, thanks again

They don't have to be on the same final circuit. Mine link from the house to the garage which is fed separately via SWA split off between meter and consumer unit.

mmmmikey

Thanks @Qyburn will have another look at them this evening - a good use for the Amazon vouchers I hope to get soon from Loop

bob2302

MattMattMattUK said:

Yes they will function without WiFi and still record usage, though I do not know what the tike drift would be over time. I took one into work to measure some usage, did not bother to change it to the work network and the data was fine when I took it home a week later. Not sure if there is a maximum time without WiFi that they will function correctly though.

So do they retain all the setup, including the wifi, when moved between sockets. I thought someone said that you have to set them up again when they lose power.

cattytown

What sort of detail are you looking for from the metering? All I can get out of mine is basic stuff like lifetime usage, and usage today IIRC, no fancy graphs or anything.

glennevis

cattytown said:

What sort of detail are you looking for from the metering? All I can get out of mine is basic stuff like lifetime usage, and usage today IIRC, no fancy graphs or anything.

That's the P100. The P110 has energy monitoring.