A relatively new solution in the world of electrical installation devices has become a socket with a remote control. With its help, you can connect household appliances even where free access to the network is architecturally or interiorly limited. The device and principle of operation of such an outlet is extremely simple.
Appointment of an outlet with a remote control
A remote controlled socket is used in the following cases:
- Difficult access to the power point in the room, which is located behind the closet. In order not to do dirty construction work such as chasing and pulling out a new outlet, you can use a remotely controlled wiring element.
- The need to preserve the original interior and hide an unsightly food point behind furniture. It will be possible to control it only with the help of the remote control.
- Possibility of remote switching on of communications in the apartment (heating, boiler, kettle, etc.).
- Adjusting the climate in the house. Air conditioning, ventilation control. Temperature control of convectors.
- The ability to remotely organize lawn watering using a smart socket.
Using a power point with a remote control allows you not to worry about forgetting to turn off the iron, kettle, hairdryer when leaving the house. In addition, such a power point protects stationary outlets. When inserting and removing plugs, the sockets are constantly loosened, which over time leads to weakening of the contacts.
Remote control socket device
Unlike a standard outlet, which has only terminals with contacts, a housing, and fasteners, a remotely controlled power point has two more additional nodes:
- switch (supplies current to the required connectors);
- receiving unit, which receives signals from the remote control (remote control) and sends them to the switch.
It will not be a mistake to consider the remote control as the third working unit of the new wiring element.
Control principle
There are several ways to control an electronic power point:
- Wire channel. Not the most convenient method as it requires additional cables.
- Acoustics control is the reaction of the mechanism to sound. These sockets are not the best, as they can trigger false commands (music, singing, etc.). Acoustic sensors are good for controlling light.
- Infrared radiation (IR channel). This principle is included in most remote controls. This system is convenient, but requires direct contact between the transmitter and receiver. And this is difficult to achieve if the controlled socket is hidden behind the cabinet.
- Radio control. Most often, this implies the principles of WiFi or Bluetooth. With excellent sensor sensitivity, you can control the power point from several tens of meters or more.
- GSM channel. Allows you to set the power point commands from any corner of the globe. If only there was a coverage of a cellular operator. Then the remote socket will complete any task, even via SMS.
You can assemble a controlled outlet with your own hands using an old mobile phone module.
Diagrams for self-assembly
It is quite possible to make an outlet with a remote control with your own hands. Craftsmen use one of the popular schemes.
Using ready-made modules
This is the easiest method.You can make a food point in just 2-3 hours. To do this, you just need to buy ready-made modules via the Internet or from a trusted seller. Products "Master Kit" are considered to be of high quality. For assembly, you need to prepare:
- MP910 remote control.
- MP912 receiving module.
- WP1245 power supply. Some craftsmen assemble it themselves, but it's better to buy it.
The total cost will be comparable to the purchase of a ready-made controlled outlet. But some masters are attracted by the very idea of self-assembly.
The work is performed in the following sequence:
- A drop of solder is applied to the base of the board, and thus two so-called spots are bridged. This allows you to select the type of encoding of the sent signal.
- The transmitter is disassembled and patches are closed on its board by analogy above. The body is assembled back.
- Connect the power supply to the receiver.
- At this stage, the relay of the receiver and the power supply are connected to a 220 V network. If the socket works according to the principle of an adapter, it is connected to a plug or cord. If it is built-in, right through the switch.
- The finished structure is tested. When the button is pressed at the operating power point, the clicks of the relay are heard.
- It remains to put the power supply and the receiver into the case.
Even a master without experience can assemble such an element.
Assembly without the use of ready-made modules
Only an experienced master who knows and understands radio engineering can handle the work. Fully assembled from scratch, the controllable socket responds to commands from a distance of up to 5 km. Such a device is especially convenient if the user is working close to home. It is enough to have a control panel with you to control the operation of equipment remotely.
Socket controlled by GSM channel
Any old mobile phone is used to assemble such a smart socket. The main thing is that the signal receiving chip works. A cellular device also acts as a transmitter of commands. The convenience of such a scheme is that it does not require disassembling the phone. The control principle looks like this:
- You need to dial the number of the receiving module.
- As soon as the connection has occurred, you need to use the keys 1-7 to set the state of the socket connected to the relay. The 0 key switches off the power points.
When connected, the cellular device enters the DTFM tone dialing mode. It is read by the block connected by the X1 connector to the headphone jack on the phone. When it receives the command, the relay is turned on / off, which changes the load at the power point.
