Will a Smart plug work inside a metal box?

WIAWSNB

AFTER it has been programmed?
Ie, once the timings have been set up using the App, are they then stored in the plug so carry on regardless?
Scenario is, outdoor wall-mounted metal cupboard housing double power socket. I want to use one for Chrimbo light, and be timed. Smart sockets are as cheap as digital timers - and are more compact - so can I use it instead?
If I open the cupboard door, the open cupboard will face my house WiFi, and signal seems fine. So, plug in, open door, set timings, get it running, and close door.
Should work ok? Ie, it doesn't need to 'keep' communicating?
Ta

flaneurs_lobster

Don't think so, could you post the make/model of the smart plug (socket?).

The reason why these things are cheap is that all the smarts are elsewhere, they are just a Wi-fi controlled switch.

WIAWSNB

No particular make - just a generic cheapo. 

Do I take it that a Hive make would be more sophisticated? I notice that my CH timings continue unabated even if the WiFi has failed.

You reckon the cheap Smart sockets require constant comms with what - the phone? 

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226623140111?

flaneurs_lobster

Had another look, amending my original thought to "it depends". You might have to just suck it and see, looks like some plugs will retain timings without external connectivity while others won't. 

Logically you'd think that the cheaper the plug then least functionality, but the chips containing all the gubbins for "smartness" (comms, clock, memory, controller etc) now cost buttons and it's as easy to include it as not.

If the plug can use it's own app (as opposed to using Google Home or Alexa etc) to set a schedule then use that. 

QrizB

You might find that your WiFi signal penetrates into the metal cupboard well enough that the socket remains connected.

WIAWSNB said:

You reckon the cheap Smart sockets require constant comms with what - the phone?

Often, the phone and the socket both communicate with the manufacturer's servers. Settings are stored in "the cloud" rather than on the device.

Emmia

QrizB said:

You might find that your WiFi signal penetrates into the metal cupboard well enough that the socket remains connected.

WIAWSNB said:

You reckon the cheap Smart sockets require constant comms with what - the phone?

Often, the phone and the socket both communicate with the manufacturer's servers. Settings are stored in "the cloud" rather than on the device.

Which of course has downsides. A provider might introduce a fee, for a service that was previously free, and/or downgrade the remaining free service so that it's basically unusable. 

We've recently gone down the automation route for some of our lights (We've had a nest for app controlled heating for quite a while) with ZigBee compatible devices and the "Smart home" app. I'm fortunate that hubby is quite into this stuff, but having set up a smart plug for some plant grow lights it wasn't very difficult (and I'm pretty non techy).

matelodave

Its a case of "suck it and see". Some might some wont but it will mainly depend on the sensitivity of the plug unit receiver and whether WIFI, Zigbee or Bluetooth protocols are used and whether the signal manages to escape far enough from your house to the the location of the cabinet.

I can control TAPO smart plugs and a camera in my shed which use WIFI and is about 20 metres from the router in the house with  two walls in between as well. However the Zgibee comms from the smart meter to the IHD can struggle more than 2 metres. My Bluetooth headphones can manage around 6-8 metres before the sound breaks up

WIAWSNB

I've ordered one which apparently has both WiFi and BT.
I'll report back.
Cheers.