Step 8/13 Automation for electrical devices

As we have already started to unravel the topic of Automation in the last post where we discussed lighting examples, now we can move forward with our next category. Here we will touch upon the Automation possibilities for smart electrical devices like plugs, power strips and switches. These devices act as a bridge between regular devices and home automation. Like with any physical bridge, you should build a good foundation and here you will learn how to do that for smart electricals. The best part is that you only need to set it up once.

No matter what devices you want to automate, the first step is always the same: to choose a Condition. By choosing one of the 4 options, essentially, you set up circumstances to which selected devices will react. Think of this step as the first piece in a domino chain because if you push it, the rest of the dominos will fall. The same analogy can be applied to Automation as the Condition you choose will trigger the rest of the sequence. Therefore, let's take a look at simple examples of what you can do with each Condition.

Weather determines how we dress and how we go about our day. Thus it only makes sense that your smart devices can react to weather patterns as well. If you choose When the weather changes Condition, you can set up specific details like wind speed, temperature, and humidity. Imagine that it is a hot summer day where it feels like there is no escape from the heat. Automation can help with this situation. Set the temperature settings at 27 degrees and select the power switch (which we renamed Air Conditioner) that is connected to the non-smart air conditioner. In this case, it will turn on automatically once this temperature has been reached in your area.

• Select Temperature and adjust to 27° C
• Select "=" for the devices to turn on at exactly this Temperature
• Select Run the device and choose devices
• Within Switch select On
• Set the Countdown to your preferred working time
• Adjust the Name, Style and Effective Period

We all want to save money on electricity bills, but turning everything off before you leave home can be time-consuming. That's where location-based Automation comes in hand. It works according to your phone location if you choose to set it up. Thus before moving forward with this automation, you should enable your phone location and set your home location within our App.

Afterwards, just choose When location changes and follow these steps:

• Select Leave
• Choose how wide you want the radius around your home
• Select Run the device and choose devices
• Within Switch select Off
• Adjust the Name, Style and Effective Period

Once you have left the selected area, all devices that you have selected will turn Off. Further, you can create counter Automation with the same devices turning On when coming home. At the beginning of the Automation process instead of choosing Leave you should select Arrive and further set the switch on devices to turn On. The rest of the steps will be identical.

How you start your morning sets the mood for the rest of your day. So you should schedule your mornings to always start on the right foot. We are not talking about plans that you have to carry out yourself. Scheduling your electrical devices to wake up with you will give you the chance to focus on other tasks. Select your bedside lamp, radio and coffee machine to turn On at 8 in the morning. Like this you will have something pleasant to look forward the night before.

• Adjust the timer
• Select Run the device and choose devices
• Within Switch select On
• Select Delay and add your preferred time
• Within Switch select Off
• Adjust the Name, Style and Effective Period

Although we are talking about electrical device Automations, keep in mind that you can link any devices together. You can even set for devices to react to each other. This relationship between devices is divided into two groups - triggers and devices that get triggered.

Let's look at an example to understand this notion a bit better. Smart electricals can also improve your safety, and here is only one way how you can do that. In the case of a water leak or flood, your water leak detector can trigger smart electricals to turn Off, thus avoiding electrical damage. To do that, select When device status changes and:

• Select the trigger device (water leak detector)
• Within Alarm select On
• Select Run the device and choose devices
• Within Switch select Off
• Adjust the Name, Style and Effective Period

As we continue our home Automation journey, we have shortly discussed how the same electrical devices can be Automated in various ways. Each category of devices has almost endless possibilities and can improve virtually any home situation. Here we want to give you inspiration and advice to make the setup process even more straightforward. Discover useful tips and tricks within our next blog as we will create our first camera and smart security system Automation.

RobertSmart App is constantly evolving, therefore, this information complies with the 5.5.230 version.