Want to use a Smart Switch to control a Switched Outlet (2024)

FAQs

Can a smart switch control an outlet? ›

All a Smart Switch Will Do, if in a normal configuration, is cut the power feeding the outlet through it - in your case, the one outlet.

Smart plugs will plug straight into your outlet and installing a smart bulb is like changing any regular old light bulb. Smart switches, on the other hand, are more integrated into the home and require some electrical work.

Smart plugs are great if you are trying to control a lamp or any lighting that is getting plugged in to an existing light switch.

Disadvantages: the necessary complexity

While smart switches offer a range of benefits, their installation is not so plug-and-play regarding lamp replacement. It is necessary to understand the electrical operation and have some technical knowledge for a successful installation.

A switched outlet is an outlet in your house controlled by a light switch. Turn the light switch on, and the power to the outlet is on, turn it off, and the power is off.

Connect the wires: connect the black (hot) wire to the brass screw marked "LINE" or "HOT" on the switch, and connect the white (neutral) wire to the silver screw that says "NEUTRAL" on the receptacle. If there's a green or bare copper ground wire, connect it to the green screw on the switch/receptacle.

A switch circuit that doesn't operate correctly may simply have a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Head to the electrical service panel and locate the breaker or fuse. If the breaker is tripped, reset it; or if the fuse is blown, replace it with an exact duplicate.

At least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room, kitchen, and bathroom.

You may also experience delays, glitches, or compatibility issues if your devices are not from the same brand or platform. Moreover, some smart outlets and plugs may not support high-wattage appliances, such as heaters, air conditioners, or hair dryers, and may pose a fire hazard if overloaded.

Do you need special wiring for a smart switch? ›

There should be an "in" wire, an "out" wire, and "ground" wire and a "neutral" wire, which is typically white. If you're missing a neutral wire (which is possible if you're living in an old home), you need to buy a specific kind of smart light switch that doesn't require a neutral wire.

On its own, the average smart plug uses at most one, maybe two watts at any given time. Zero, like that of an unused standard outlet, would be ideal, but smart plugs require a small amount of electricity to stay connected to your Wi-Fi. Still, a smart plug uses only around 10 kWh over the course of a year.

Smart plugs are a simple way to automate your wired devices and make your home a bit smarter. To set it up, all you have to do is plug it into an outlet and then connect it to your Wi-Fi network by following the directions in the compatible app on your phone or tablet.

The smart plug allows for remote control through a dedicated smartphone app. This feature enables you to manage and monitor your connected devices from anywhere with an internet connection, providing you with convenience and flexibility.

In most cases, a smart plug uses approximately 1 watt of energy when it is in standby mode. This wattage also depends on the type of connection it uses. Since a smart plug is connected to something else in your household, it is always active.

A smart plug will give you control over the flow of power to plugged-in devices via an app on your phone or using your voice when paired with a compatible home assistant like Alexa or HomeKit. Smart plugs also enable you to create schedules to automatically turn the device on or off at specified times.

Either jump the hot side of the outlet to both outlets if one side is switched and the other unswitched, or remove the switch, wire the switch conductors together with a wire nut and install a blank coverplate in place of the switch and switch plate. Easy-peazy.

Along with smart lights and switches, smart plugs and outlets are the first products to get if you want to create a smart home. Some benefits of smart plugs include enabling home automation and making regular appliances and consumer electronics smart.

Smart switches and breakers are both devices that automate the on and off of your lights, but they differ in a number of important ways. For instance, while a smart breaker is generally used to cut off the power, a smart switch is used to control the flow of electricity through a circuit.