Accessible switch or extension lead

chrisw

Argos have them but they're quite a bit more expensive at £30 for 3.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7079216

twopenny

Oh heck 😲

Maybe needs must . I'll sort it out this week. Thanks for looking Chris.

WIAWSNB

For a single socket location, then the switched extension lead makes sense. But for separate items as you require, the remote plugs seem ideal.

How much time do you have to get them? Can you mail order?

vacheron

If it is for your home, and you have WiFi, around £28 will get you a pack of 4x Tapo P100 plugs that will work from your smart phone (or just one for £9 each). You can also program them to switch on and off automatically at certain times. Anyone with half an ounce of tech understanding can get these set up in about 10-15 minutes.

If you spend a few £ more and buy the P110 version for £32, they include power monitoring and will tell you exactly how much electricity you are using.

They can then also be used as the basis to a home automation systemin the future to make your house more automated if you like what they can offer.

The remote versons shown aboce with the pushbutton keypad are pretty much a one trick pony… but are much simpler to set up initially, and you can move them to a different location / house without having to set them up again, but they are just a switch which you have to control manually, just with the keypad.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915130#Comment_81915130

2Penny has already cautioned against techie stuff. But, I agree, these Smart sockets are superb.

I got one that works with Smart Life, but 'fess the programming was not intuitive. It somehow worked, and turned on our Chrimbo tree in the dark morn, and then in the eve, but I still don't know how I managed it.

For 2'P, I think these remote ones are ideal.

twopenny

In answer to the first question I have anything from 1 week to 3 months. Depends how many emergencies there are in between so it's a bit like living in a furniture warehouse but it's got to work.

I think I'll start with an extension as that's quick to get and install.

Then get the automatic/smart plugs. I can spend my isolation time genning up on them.

In a small home with multiple sockets which are inevitably behind something they'll be great in the future 🙂

victor2

I have both the remote control switched sockets and smart ones. The big advantage of smart ones is that you can program them with the phone app, and you're less likely to misplace your phone than a separate remote! I have various lights I can control, and a setting to switch them all off at midnight, so that I can't leave anything on all night. I have some lights come on 30 minutes before dusk, and they adjust themselves automatically. The ratings for these switches are pretty high, so most devices you would plug into a socket can be controlled.

Only minor "negative" point is that they take up extra space between the plug and wall socket, so you can need more clearance if the socket is behind a piece of furniture.

twopenny

That's a useful piece of information Victor.

Space is short, I live here for the location 🙂 now I'm not working I don't need to think in advance. Would have been useful when I was.

I rarely use my smart phone. I have an emergency one I carry and don't need to. So I'll look into depths and such. Always so easily overlooked.

My thanks to everyone. It's helped me plan and feel comfortable that I don't get stranded. 🙂

victor2

Just search for "remote control sockets" on Amazon. There's a big choice. 😊

ic

I appreciate there may be a peace of mind in turning off appliances at the wall for fire safety, however regulations have mandated ever reducing stand-by power loads for the past 20 years or so.

Appliances such as chargers and TVs tend to use no more than half a watt per hour in stand-by (and those numbers reduce every few years). Mobile and laptop chargers are getting very smarter and more frugal. If you're keen to unplug in order to save money, it will take many many years to save the cost of implementing a way of doing it remotely. Any device plugged into to do that for you remotely will likely consume more power waiting to be told to go on and off (especially those that are connected via wifi) than simply not bothering and leaving the charger plugged in.

If you're already using an extension lead and have unplugged your laptop from it, zero power will be consumed by the extension lead (unless its got an annoying red neon light - which will be consuming a pittance of electric to run). Otherwise the extension socket is literally that - an extension of cabling within your walls - it is only when a load is applied that power flows and the meter turns.