Amazon has
4-Pack TP-Link Tapo P115 Wi-Fi 15A / 1800W Mini Smart Plugs on sale for
$22.99.
Shipping is free with Prime or on $35+ orders.
B&H Photo Video also has
4-Pack TP-Link Tapo P115 Wi-Fi 15A / 1800W Mini Smart Plugs on sale for
$22.99.
Shipping is free on $49+ orders.
Thanks to Community Member
vsspam for sharing this deal.
About this Item:
- Remotely Control Plugged-In Devices
- Energy Monitoring
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Scheduled Usage
- Away Mode
- Tapo App for iOS & Android
- Use with Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant & Samsung SmartThings
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Top Comments
41 Comments
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I have solar power and installed a device to monitor energy usage at each circuit breaker. While I can see everything on the app, this information has not saved me any money. Let me give another example: If my fridge uses more energy than expected (setting aside how I would know that without testing another fridge), would I replace it with a $2,000 new model? Probably not, because it would take years to break even.
If someone wants to turn off an electric heater when power usage exceeds 1.5 kW (as shown in the Amazon picture), they could just use a timer on a standard plug. Again, I am not disagreeing with you—I am just curious to know if I am missing something.
Maybe you have a 60 watt incandescent bulb that you forgot to replace... then you see how much energy your lamp or lighting fixture is using and it shows you that you forgot to replace that damn energy-wasting bulb.
Maybe you have a plasma TV and didn't realize it uses so much power so you decide it's time to upgrade to OLED this Black Friday or Cyber Monday to save energy and improve picture quality.
I'm sure I could come up with more possibilities.
It also sounds like these aren't for you... especially if you can already monitor circuit wattages.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product...a0INT
Yikes, twice the cost lol
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I want to use the Tapo P115 as a energy monitoring trigger?
https://www.amazon.com/Monitoring...ge
Doc H
5.0 out of 5 stars
GET THESE - For power monitoring, safety, Charge Guard, easy setup: SO WELL DESIGNED
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
Style: Energy MonitoringSize: 4-PackVerified Purchase
It is rare that I see a TRULY well-designed product - software, and/or consumer electronics. But these are the rare gem: clearly well thought out, designed, and tested. SUPER easy setup (if you have the app installed and open, it will automatically prompt you to add when one is plugged in) - total of 75 seconds to setup, beginning to end INCLUDING a firmware update. (not including entering WiFi information - only needed for the first device)
I originally got it just to monitor how much power devices were using (WAY cheaper than those Kill-A-Watt type meters: smaller, records history, AND remote monitoring!)
But found so many more great, useful features when I started setting up the first plug:
- SCHEDULE: you can set absolute times (i.e. ON at 5:03pm, OFF at 11:17pm), or RELATIVE times to Sunrise or Sunset, WITH OFFSETS - BRILLIANT! (other plugs only give you right AT Sunrise/Sunset). My living room gets dark about an hour BEFORE sunset - so I can set the ON = SUNSET-(1 Hour), OFF = 11pm, and it will adjust automatically throughout the year! Always 1 hour before sunset. No changing it with seasons, or Daylight Savings Time!! May use for low-voltage lights and Christmas lights (i.e. a little before sunset until a little before sunrise)
- CHARGE GUARD (Beta): it will turn off whenever it detects the power dropping below a certain level (currently configurable 1-20 watts) for a certain period. GREAT to protect your battery, device, and HOUSE. I just set one up for my eBike charger: <20w for 10 minutes, and it shuts off when done charging. Safer, and better for the battery. Will be using them for charging my drones/quadcopters/RC stuff, drills, phones, cars, 3D Printer (ie when done printing), etc.
- TIMED OFF (Auto-Off Timer): it will turn off after a set period of time, *every time you turn it on* (i.e. after pressing the power button on the plug, OR by remote)
So use on things like: iron, hair curling iron, hotplate, soldering iron, EBIKE (mine is set to 10 hours), etc. This works IN ADDITION to "Charge Guard" and Power Limit.
- POWER PROTECTION (LIMIT): turns off if your wattage limit is exceeded (short? failure? fire? etc.). I set my eBike charger plug to 300 watts, as it normally draws <200w.
- AUTO FIRMWARE UPDATE: I'm tired of updating devices manually! And I have A LOT lol (time window configurable)
- NOTIFICATIONS: I've only tested the "Charge Guard", but it sends you a notification "Charge Guard turned off Device X" - I expect similar from the other modes
- Quick response: plug turns on immediately from the app (at least when I'm local) - some other devices have a few second delay
- Good sized, long-term company. TP-Link has been around for years, with lots of networking equipment - so they'll be around for a while, and maintain their app - unlike the little no-name brands. This also suggests these should be well-designed for reliability and longevity.
I feel much safer about charging my EBike with this (set to max 10 hours, 300w, and auto-off when the charging power drops below 20w for >10 minutes). A VERY low price for peace of mind!
Oh - and I can see how much power a device is using - my original goal
Additional features I haven't explored:
"Smart Actions", like geofencing (turn things on/off based on your location, like lights on/off when you're home vs away)
Device integration with things like leak detectors, contact switches (eg on doors), humidifiers/hygrometers, Smart Buttons, Group actions (when one device is turned on (or off), turn other device(s) on/off), cameras for motion detection
It seems the "CHARGE GUARD (Beta)" is the only unique feature among energy-monitoring plugs. The other listed functions are commonly available in most, if not all, smart plugs.
According to my Amazon order history, I bought a Kasa Smart Plug Mini with energy monitoring and a smart dimmable bulb for just $5 back in November 2021 (thanks to a $40+ promotion). I have never actually used it for energy monitoring. I'll need to check if it has the Charge Guard feature, though I doubt it, considering it was from a few years ago.
Energy monitoring helps to understand the home power consumption. If you have time of use rates, you can shift some power hungry activities and know exactly how much you'd save.
You can establish baselines and changes in them could alert you of potential issues. I have a fridge (everyone's favorite LG) that had a problem with a stuck interior light relay. The lights stayed on even when the doors were closed. The fridge originally had incandescent bulbs and they generated heat. It melted some interior plastic and caused the compressor to run all the time to compensate. If I could monitor the energy I would notice the increase in the consumption much earlier.
A fridge or HVAC compressor on the verge of failure can use more power.
If your fridge dies while you're away, you can be alerted if it didn't consume the usual power budget.
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Energy monitoring helps to understand the home power consumption. If you have time of use rates, you can shift some power hungry activities and know exactly how much you'd save.
You can establish baselines and changes in them could alert you of potential issues. I have a fridge (everyone's favorite LG) that had a problem with a stuck interior light relay. The lights stayed on even when the doors were closed. The fridge originally had incandescent bulbs and they generated heat. It melted some interior plastic and caused the compressor to run all the time to compensate. If I could monitor the energy I would notice the increase in the consumption much earlier.
A fridge or HVAC compressor on the verge of failure can use more power.
If your fridge dies while you're away, you can be alerted if it didn't consume the usual power budget.
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