How to Choose an Outdoor Smart Plug? -Everything You Need to Know
The demand for automation has undoubtedly extended beyond the limits of indoor spaces. Smart outdoor devices now provide an enhanced experience to live with automation, convenience, and control. Outdoor smart plugs are a good start to smart your outdoor life. They are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions while providing remote control and automation capabilities for your outdoor electrical devices.
When choosing an outdoor smart plug, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. This article will guide you through the top factors to consider before making your purchase.
Weather Resistance
Since you use it outdoors, weather-resistance comes first. Generally, you can check two aspects:
First, the weatherproof rating.
Ensure that the outdoor smart plug you choose is specifically designed for outdoor use and has an appropriate weatherproof rating. A typical parameter is its IP rating. You may see such descriptions as IP65 on a device packaging. How weatherproof does this prove? According to the International Protection Marking (also called IP code), the waterproof and dustproof ratings are listed below:
First IP Digit – Protection from Solids Second IP Digit – Protection from Liquids
|
Level |
Description |
|
Level |
Description |
|
0 |
(non-protected) |
0 |
(non-protected) |
|
|
1 |
>50 mm |
1 |
Vertically dripping water |
|
|
2 |
>12.5 mm |
2 |
Dripping water tilted up to 15° |
|
|
3 |
>2.5 mm |
3 |
Spraying water at an angle of up to 60° |
|
|
4 |
>1 mm |
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
Dust protected |
5 |
Jets of water from any direction |
|
|
6 |
Dust tight |
6 |
Heavy seas or powerful jets of water |
|
|
|
|
7 |
Harmful ingress of water when immersed between a depth of 150mm to 1 meter |
|
|
|
|
8 |
Continuous immersion in water |
|
|
|
|
9 |
Powerful high-temperature water jets |
Second, its weatherproof design.
An outdoor smart plug should have a weather resistant-cover. You can cover the socket when it’s not in use to keep from water and dust.
Power Capacity and Outlets
Consider the power capacity and the number of outlets provided by the outdoor smart plug. Ensure that the plug can handle the power requirements of your outdoor devices, such as lighting, fountain pumps, or power tools. Pay attention to the maximum load capacity stated by the manufacturer to avoid overloading the plug. Additionally, consider the number of outlets available on the plug, as it determines how many devices you can connect and control simultaneously.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Most outdoor smart plugs use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to connect to your home network, so ensure that the plug you choose supports a stable and reliable Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, it’s also important for the plug to be compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. Compatibility with these platforms allows for seamless integration and control of your outdoor devices through voice commands or these smart home apps.
Safety Guarantee
Safety always comes first. Check whether your outdoor smart plug conforms to safety standards like UL, ETL. These organizations provide certifications and conduct rigorous testing to ensure that electrical products meet stringent safety standards. UL and ETL certifications indicate that the outdoor smart plug has undergone thorough testing for electrical safety, including factors like insulation, grounding, fire resistance, and protection against electrical shock. These certifications help give you peace of mind that the device has met the necessary safety requirements.
Outdoor areas can benefit greatly from smart security devices. Smart outdoor cameras, motion sensors, and doorbell cameras provide enhanced surveillance and deter potential intruders. These devices send real-time alerts to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor and respond to any suspicious activity, even when you're away from home. Integration with smart home platforms also enables automation, such as activating outdoor lights or sounding alarms in response to detected motion.
Selecting the right outdoor smart plug requires careful consideration of the factors above-mentioned. Apart from that, you may also have other concerns. You can check whether you can find related information on its packaging or its official website. By contrasting outdoor smart plugs of different brands, you will find one that suits you the most.
