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How does a smart plug work?

2 Nov 2020

by Hoftronic Smart

Are you still using old sockets? Then we would like to introduce you to smart plugs. Maybe you have heard of them, maybe not. With this blog we want to explain what a smart plug really is, how a smart plug works and why it is better to choose a smart plug than a traditional socket. Are you curious? Then keep on reading.

What are smart plugs?

Let's start at the beginning: What are smart plugs? We all know the old-fashioned time switches, the plugs with a timer. With a time switch you can automatically switch your lights on and off. A smart plug works basically the same, only it can be operated via a tablet or smartphone and can be used on several electrical devices. This means that you can switch on and off any device you connect to a smart plug, wherever and whenever you want. You can do this directly at the push of a button, or via a time schedule that you set via the app.

How do smart plugs work?

A smart plug is an intermediate plug between the socket and the device you want to make smart. These can be lamps, but also your coffee machine or the radio. You turn a normal device into a smart device. You can operate a smart plug via an app on your smartphone or tablet. With the Hoftronic Smart plugs you control the devices with the Hoftronic Smart app. With the Hoftronic Smart App you can directly switch the devices linked to the smart plugs on or off and you can set a scene (when 1 smart plug is switched on, all smart plugs in the room go on), or you set a time schedule.

What do you use a smart plug for?

You can connect all kinds of different devices to a smart plug. Smart plugs are mainly used to make lighting smart. You can easily connect a lamp to a smart plug, so that you can operate your lamps via your smartphone as if it were a smart lamp. You can also make use of the time schedules and therefore let the plugs function as time switches. In this way you can make sure that your lights are switched on automatically when you are not at home once or on holiday for a longer period of time. This contributes to a safer environment. A well-lit house keeps burglars at a distance.

You can also use a smart plug for a number of other electrical appliances. We will give you a number of examples:

Kettle or coffee machine. Would you like to have coffee in the morning version when you get up, or that the water has already been boiled for your tea? Then connect the smart plug to the kettle or coffee machine. This does require some preparation the evening before: put water in the kettle and coffee in the coffee machine. A little effort to get up in the morning!
The TV. Do you ever fall asleep on the couch in the evening while watching TV? Or do you want your children not to sit and watch TV until too late? Then use the timetable function in front of your TV. You simply set the times when the TV needs to be turned off. This way you can prevent your TV from being turned on too long.
Flammable devices like straighteners. A smart plug can prevent a fire hazard. Forget to turn off your flat iron once, and you're no longer at home? Then you can still switch it off via your phone. A smart plug also ensures safety.

What do you use a smart plug for?

You can also use a smart plug for a number of other electrical appliances. We will give you a number of examples:

Kettle or coffee machine. Would you like to have coffee in the morning version when you get up, or that the water has already been boiled for your tea? Then connect the smart plug to the kettle or coffee machine. This does require some preparation the evening before: put water in the kettle and coffee in the coffee machine. A little effort to get up in the morning!
The TV. Do you ever fall asleep on the couch in the evening while watching TV? Or do you want your children not to sit and watch TV until too late? Then use the timetable function in front of your TV. You simply set the times when the TV needs to be turned off. This way you can prevent your TV from being turned on too long.
Flammable devices like straighteners. A smart plug can prevent a fire hazard. Forget to turn off your flat iron once, and you're no longer at home? Then you can still switch it off via your phone. A smart plug also ensures safety.

What are the benefits of smart plugs?

Why should you choose smart plugs instead of traditional plugs? We have listed the benefits of smart plugs for you:

You turn a normal device into a smart device.
You save energy, because you can switch devices off in time so they don't have to be switched on unnecessarily.
You can control your devices via the app on your smartphone or tablet. You don't even have to be around for this! You are always in control of your devices, wherever you are and whenever you want.
Smart plugs ensure safety. You can make it look like someone is at home when you're not, by connecting your lights to the smart plugs. This prevents burglary.
Smart plugs can prevent a fire hazard. If you forget to switch off incendiary devices, you can do so quickly by using the app on your smartphone.
The smart plugs of Hoftronic Smart can also be operated by voice via a smart assistant such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
You can set time schedules, which allows you to automatically switch devices on and off at fixed times.

What types of smart plugs does Hoftronic Smart have?

Hoftronic Smart plugs are available in various variants, with different functionalities. There is the smart plug with time switch, smart plug with USB port and a waterproof smart plug. In addition, Hoftronic Smart also has a smart socket available with multiple USB connections, and smart wall sockets which are incorporated in the wall as a socket outlet. There is a suitable choice for everyone's preference.