Question

It looks like my SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug (7A-PL-W-A1) is not going to be an option (see recent post). What does everyone else use? Do other companies make reliable plugs? I see GE makes a Zwave one (which is about twice the price of some of the other options). Is this worth it so it’s not fighting all of my Wi-Fi devices in the house? My intention is to plug this into an outlet in the basement that powers a water circulator for when I need hot water on the second floor, opposite end of the house. I do not have access to easily change the current outlet. My plans were to use the smart plug to set it on timer as well as hook it up to a smart plug for instant on/off.  

Answer 1

I have Sylvania, Peanut, Centralite and even an old Iris plug. All zigbee and/or z-wave and don't have any problems with any of them.  

Comments

Do you have a preference between sylvania and peanut?  

---

@dutiable Sylvia is easier to set up but both work great.  

---

Do you know if Syvania are repeaters as well?  

---

@dutiable I believe some of Sylvania products are and some aren't. You'd have to look at then particular products specs

---

What am I looking for in the specs? On Amazon it doesn't mention 'repeater' on either one.  

---

@dutiable what product are you looking at?  

---

@deceit66750 sylvania plugs. vs the peanut plugs. the peanuts are no longer as cheap as they once were apparently.  

---

@dutiable I believe then Smart+ plugs are repeaters.  

Answer 2

Peanut plug

Answer 3

Consider the ZigBee smart plugs from the Ikea Tradfri range. $9. 99 in USA or £8 in UK. These act as repeaters.  

Answer 4

You're going to want a heavy duty outlet for that device. Something like the zooz TJ posted above. Also stick to ZWave or zigbee devices that can use default Samsung device handlers so they can run without the cloud as much as possible for reliability purposes. (if you use those type of devices and build the rules in smartlighting. They can run even offline which is something you want with an infrastructure device like a water recirculating pump)

Comments

@scene yep. Design for the outage. From what we know (from Samsung Dev conferences) the platform is getting a rules API which will eventually run local and enable more local execution including the automation creator. it's just not quite there yet

---

@anatolia7046 so why would anyone use the automations? If they buy generic branded devices?  

---

@scene it's the easiest way. And remember it will eventually be local too. Just not yet.  

---

@anatolia7046 sorry should have been more specific. why does anyone use the ‘Automations’ and not the SmartApps - Smart Lighting Automations?  

---

@scene same as above. It's easier. Everyone has different goals. Local isn't always end game. Evaluate every scenario differently and choose the right equipment and setup for that device. My bedrooms use a smartapp called rooms manager. It's more important to me that the room behave the way I want with motion and door and sleep sensors to be 'automatically' set the way I want when I want than speed of automation or offline use. Its. like why don't I use a peanut in your scenario. They're great and CHEAP. Because you're switching a pump. Startup current will eventually burn out the peanut because it's not rated for that. Every single scenario is different. Ask questions, understand how the platform works and design for worst case.  

Answer 5

The GE plugs are pretty reliable, I have a couple that I've had pre-Smartthings that are still going strong. If I need power monitoring the Smart thing brand is reliable. I have a few other brand zigbee and zwave plugs that have worked fine. Like others have said reliability is the key, no use in buying cheap ones then having to go out and buy good ones.