HomeKit smart plugs not for lights only

[colin79666]

Are there any Apple HomeKit compatible smart plugs that are safe to use with a 800w electric oil filled radiator?

I’ve got a Philips Hue plug but it states something like for use with lights only. I’m guessing although it is rated at 13a it might have issues with the sort of in rush current that some appliances would pull when first switched on.

My thought were to use HomeKit as I’ve already got Eve room monitors and could do a rule to switch on the radiator if the temperature dropped to a certain level. They also do a smart plug but I can’t find info on its limitations and the Amazon listing has a few reviews from people who had theirs melt!

[Mars]

Can you link Tuya devices to Apple?

These can handle over 3KW:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09QFHPYV1/ref...

[ARHarh]

its only drawing 3.5 amps. You will probably be fine with any plug on sale in the uk.

[colin79666]

Mars said:

Can you link Tuya devices to Apple?

These can handle over 3KW:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09QFHPYV1/ref...

Unfortunately doesn’t look like it. Needs its own app rather than integrating with HomeKit.

The meross was looking good but the Amazon listing has “ Do not plug in power hungry appliances, such as electric kettles, heater, ovens, air-condition, electric blanket, tower fan, pump.”. Then it goes on to show a picture of it connected to a Dyson fan heater!

[ARHarh]

colin79666 said:

Mars said:

Can you link Tuya devices to Apple?

These can handle over 3KW:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09QFHPYV1/ref...

Unfortunately doesn’t look like it. Needs its own app rather than integrating with HomeKit.

The meross was looking good but the Amazon listing has “ Do not plug in power hungry appliances, such as electric kettles, heater, ovens, air-condition, electric blanket, tower fan, pump.”. Then it goes on to show a picture of it connected to a Dyson fan heater!

800w is not power hungry. 3000w (3kw) is power hungry.

Type in your voltage and watts into this and it will tell you the amps it will draw.

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-vol...

[Kes Arevo]

colin79666 said:

Are there any Apple HomeKit compatible smart plugs that are safe to use with a 800w electric oil filled radiator?

I’ve got a Philips Hue plug but it states something like for use with lights only. I’m guessing although it is rated at 13a it might have issues with the sort of in rush current that some appliances would pull when first switched on.

My thought were to use HomeKit as I’ve already got Eve room monitors and could do a rule to switch on the radiator if the temperature dropped to a certain level. They also do a smart plug but I can’t find info on its limitations and the Amazon listing has a few reviews from people who had theirs melt!

Should be perfectly fine.

W
_
V x A



800
_______
240 x ~3.5


At least I think so from basic electronicalness math.

Edited by Kes Arevo on Saturday 10th December 13:27

[ARHarh]

Kes Arevo said:

colin79666 said:

Are there any Apple HomeKit compatible smart plugs that are safe to use with a 800w electric oil filled radiator?

I’ve got a Philips Hue plug but it states something like for use with lights only. I’m guessing although it is rated at 13a it might have issues with the sort of in rush current that some appliances would pull when first switched on.

My thought were to use HomeKit as I’ve already got Eve room monitors and could do a rule to switch on the radiator if the temperature dropped to a certain level. They also do a smart plug but I can’t find info on its limitations and the Amazon listing has a few reviews from people who had theirs melt!

Should be perfectly fine.

W
_
V x A

That's right



800
_______
240 x ~3.5


At least I think so from basic electronicalness math.

Edited by Kes Arevo on Saturday 10th December 13:27

[Mars]

colin79666 said:

Mars said:

Can you link Tuya devices to Apple?

These can handle over 3KW:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09QFHPYV1/ref...

Unfortunately doesn’t look like it. Needs its own app rather than integrating with HomeKit.

The meross was looking good but the Amazon listing has “ Do not plug in power hungry appliances, such as electric kettles, heater, ovens, air-condition, electric blanket, tower fan, pump.”. Then it goes on to show a picture of it connected to a Dyson fan heater!

They initially require Tuya for set-up but they get pulled into my Alexa app automatically once I "teach" Alexa about Tuya, and then I can do everything I want through Alexa going forward. Is this not an option for Apple? It would significantly open-up your list of suspects if it could.

[Brainpox]

Mars said:

They initially require Tuya for set-up but they get pulled into my Alexa app automatically once I "teach" Alexa about Tuya, and then I can do everything I want through Alexa going forward. Is this not an option for Apple? It would significantly open-up your list of suspects if it could.

It would say HomeKit supported if it worked.

[outnumbered]

Tp-link Kasa plugs can handle higher loads, but are mostly unobtanium at the moment. Not sure if the cheaper Tayo line has the same capabilities, but those are available.

[number2]

outnumbered said:

Tp-link Kasa plugs can handle higher loads, but are mostly unobtanium at the moment. Not sure if the cheaper Tayo line has the same capabilities, but those are available.

I use those plugs with no complaints.

Appear available here but pricey!

TP-Link Kasa Mini Smart Plug, WiFi Outlet, Works with Amazon Alexa(Echo and Echo Dot), Google Home and Samsung SmartThings, Wireless Smart Socket (KP105P3), Certified for Humans Device https://amzn.eu/d/0on12hr

Edit: use them for lamps and a coffee machine which pulls a few KW.

I paid £21 for three in 2021...

Edited by number2 on Saturday 10th December 23:57

[colin79666]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

That version of the TPLink socket doesn’t mention HomeKit so I guess it isn’t HomeKit compatible.

Think I’ll try the meross. The instructions for it specifically say it can be used with portable heaters, the Amazon listing muddies it a bit but I’m guess they are getting at not using it with a 4.5kW oven.

I know all about P=IV (power = current x volts), so 800w is pretty low but it might still have a bigger initial pull when first turned on that upsets electronics in the plug. I’ll only be using this when at home, just saves getting out of bed to switch it on!

[ARHarh]

I assume the oil filled heater is just some kind of resistor as a heating element. If so it will not have much of an inrush current. Not really enough to worry about especially at 800w. If it was a motor it may have a big start up current.

[BobSaunders]

Am using the Meross plugs for christmas tree lights and a couple of fans in the garage for the turbo trainer. No complaints. Alexa and Homekit compatiable.