Ever wondered how big buildings and homes seem to always be well-lit and well-kept without anyone being there in the first place? That’s not magic, they are something called Outlet timers.
Outlet timers control the flow of current according to schedule. That’s their main function, which we can utilize in many ways and put to good use.
Outlet timers are devices that automate your home and time the appliances on a schedule so they turn on and off at a certain time that you set. It’s like an alarm clock for your appliances. You can use it to protect your home, save money, and automate your home without breaking the bank.
In this article, we are going to learn what is an outlet timer and why do we use it?. We would learn how it operates and what are some of the uses we can get out of it.
Let’s get started.
What is an Outlet timer and why do we use it?
Outlet timers are some of the most underrated tools out there on the market because they can essentially automate your whole home if you want it.
It is very affordable and you can save a lot of money on a large variety of things such as energy costs and the cost of installing automated systems.
Now let’s talk about outlet timers, their parts, and how they work
Outlet timers
A plug timer or outlet timer is a device that times the appliances around your house on schedule to make sure energy is being efficiently used and also makes life a little bit more convenient.
They come in many shapes and sizes with varying degrees of control and functionalities. But the one thing that is the most common among them is they all time your appliances.
Other factors such as remote control of home security are offered based on money. If you are willing to pay for a smart device. It would allow you a much more in-depth level of control over your home.
Types of outlet timers
As we all know there are three main types of outlet timers namely, mechanical, digital, and smart and each one has its components that combine and work together to function properly.
I will explain each, one by one along with its components and how they work.
1. Mechanical outlet timers
Mechanical outlet timers use mechanical mechanisms. It usually uses springs and gears. When you turn the dial the spring inside the device gets compressed and when the spring releases the stored energy it turns the gears.
When the set time arrives it either turns off or on the power to the device. To set the timer you just need to either turn the dial or push the pins. Each pin contains either 15-minute intervals or 30 minutes. It depends on the device.
2. Digital outlet timers
A Digital outlet timer uses electronic circuits that you can program with the buttons and screen on the device to set the appliance on a schedule.
Due to fewer moving components digital outlet timers are very accurate and they also last for a long time because it does not have a rust problem which allows them to last for a longer time than the rest.
3. Smart outlet timers
Smart outlet timer combines the accuracy of digital outlet timer and binds it with the convenience of software. It consists of electronic components and an app to communicate with the hardware through your phone.
They are timer outlets that time your appliances but with the added benefit that it gives you a lot of flexibility and control over the appliances. You can control it from anywhere in the world.
With the help of the app that comes with it, you can program and control it from any part of the world as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
How does an outlet timer work?
An outlet timer as the name suggests just cuts and resumes power supply to an outlet. It’s the core function of an outlet timer to control the flow of power to an outlet. That is the simplest way of saying how an outlet timer works.
There are three types of outlet times and each of them works in the same way. You attach the outlet timer to a normal outlet then plug the appliance into the timer and set the time and you are done. It’s that simple.
To set the timer outlet, you have to push some pins up and down in a mechanical timer to set or undone the time and each pin would represent either 15 or 30 mins depending on the device.
In a digital device, there are buttons and screens which would allow you to program the timer. The rest of the process is similar to the mechanical outlet timer
Smart devices use your phone to program the outlet timers. It follows the same principle only this time instead of buttons and dials you can program the device through your phone.
Why do we use an outlet timer?
Outlet timers are essential in many ways and here are some reasons why we use them.
1. Energy Savings
The outlet timer creates an environment where anything that is not in use is turned off automatically which results in efficient use of energy which is good for you and the environment.
We waste a lot of energy on a daily basis because we need to remember to turn things off when they are not needed so having an outlet timer will make sure things are turned off when they are not in use.
2. Home Security
Having an outlet timer at home can keep your home safe. It can do that by turning the lights in your home on and off randomly throughout the night to give a sense as to whether someone is occupying that space.
By doing this you can keep your home safe because no one likes to break into a house that is already occupied, and an outlet timer can do that for you even when you are not there.
3. Convenience
An outlet timer plays a big role when it comes to convenience because it allows you to automate appliances so that they turn off and on without your presence. It is a very affordable way to make your home comfortable.
It makes your life a lot more convenient for instance not having to worry about the heater in the morning or sprinkler in the lawn.
4. Plant Care
An outlet timer makes sure the lawn stays green all year long and the plants get the proper amount of hydration in your absence which results in a healthy garden and lawn where you can enjoy your free time.
You can use plug timers on sprinklers and irrigation which promises to spread an equal amount of water through the lawn which would help it stay healthy and green for a long while.
5. Decorations
You can also use it for outdoor decorations on Halloween or Christmas. It would automatically turn them on and off when it is night or day.
People all over the world use these timers to get rid of the hassle of turning on the decoration lights when it is night and off when it is daytime, so they invest in these to automate that process.
7. Fish tanks
Fish tanks need constant care. You have to give them food and proper lighting to make your pet fish happy. But you can’t deny the fact that keeping up with the food and other aspects of the fish tank can be troubling.
You can just plug the food valve, lights, and originator into the outlet timer. It will take care of your fish for you, especially when you are away from home on work or vacation.
8. Reducing Vampire Power
Some appliances suck a lot of power even if they are in idle mode. We call these power vampires because they suck a lot of power even if they are on stand-by mode.
An outlet timer makes sure those devices are turned off and are not sucking power from the grid which results in low electricity bills and overall efficient use of electricity.
9. Task Automation
You can also use a timer to automate a lot of appliances around your house. You can automate lights, humidifiers, air conditioners, and much more with the help of a timer.
A smart device can control your television, humidifiers, fans, and computers along with light and other appliances from your phone. It’s a very good way to automate your home.
Conclusion
Outlet timers are devices that make your life easier, save energy, and protect your home. It is an affordable way to automate your home and make it more convenient. It is a useful device.
These devices mainly come in three types. Mechanical, digital, and smart outlet timers. Mechanical timers use mechanical mechanisms, digital timers use circuits, while smart devices combine software and hardware which gives you absolute control.
No matter how useful an outlet timer can be if you don’t know how to use it then it’s of no use. The process is very simple. Just find a convenient outlet, plug in the timer, set the timer, and then plug the appliance into the timer and you are set.
There are many reasons why we use it. It is used to save energy, protect your home, make your home more convenient, take care of your plants and lawn, decorate your home, automate your home, and help you make efficient use of energy.
These uses and applications make outlet timers a very useful and essential tool to have at home.
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