Add simple smart switch to external power socket

cliverlong · 25 Oct 2025

I have an external power socket in an IP65 (?) box. This is supplied from an internal fused switch to cut power to the socket - that I often forget to switch off. Just because I can ( or might be able to) can I add some kind of "inline" smart switch, controlled by Bluetooth or WiFi, so I leave the existing internal switch on constantly but I set up a timer to always switch OFF the supply to external socket at, say, 11pm everyday. Then if I want to use the external power I just switch on the smart by phone which will always go off if I forget.

Harry Bloomfield · 25 Oct 2025

cliverlong said:
I have an external power socket in an IP65 (?) box. This is supplied from an internal fused switch to cut power to the socket - that I often forget to switch off.

If you can add an extra box, between your fused switch, and the cable feeding out, look at something like - https://www.amazon.co.uk/smart-light-switch/s?k=smart+light+switch

Make sure it is able to switch 13amps, and I would suggest Alexa compatible, because they don't need a special hub - juzt wifi..

pete01 · 25 Oct 2025

Would changing the fcu for a timed fcu not do you?

24 Hour Supply Master Fused Spur Time Switch | Timeguard (FST24)

CountryFan · 25 Oct 2025

pete01 said:
Would changing the fcu for a timed fcu not do you?

24 Hour Supply Master Fused Spur Time Switch | Timeguard (FST24)

This or change for a WiFi switch rather than additional switch?

Mister Banks · 25 Oct 2025

Have a look at the Shelly 1PM or the Shelly 1PM Mini, both operate over WiFi to a phone app and can be hidden inside a backbox.

Harry Bloomfield · 25 Oct 2025

Mister Banks said:
Have a look at the Shelly 1PM or the Shelly 1PM Mini, both operate over WiFi to a phone app and can be hidden inside a backbox.

Would that not mean going down a bit of a rabbit hole, having to use a none standard app to control it?

Mister Banks · 25 Oct 2025

Harry Bloomfield said:
Would that not mean going down a bit of a rabbit hole, having to use a none standard app to control it?

Isn’t that what the OP asked for? It was stated that they wanted you use their phone to turn it on or off.

Harry Bloomfield · 25 Oct 2025

Mister Banks said:
It was stated that they wanted you use their phone to turn it on or off.

He mentioned it being able to, for instance, turn itself off at 11pm.

Mister Banks · 26 Oct 2025

Harry Bloomfield said:
He mentioned it being able to, for instance, turn itself off at 11pm.

Shelly can do that with a schedule. I use the devices to control a couple of electric panel heaters.

Harry Bloomfield · 26 Oct 2025

Mister Banks said:
Shelly can do that with a schedule. I use the devices to control a couple of electric panel heaters.

If on and off at set times is all that is needed, then that's fine, but Alexa allows for some fairly clever conditional on/off controls, such as dusk to dawn, and many more.

ericmark · 30 Oct 2025

I have my outside socket supplied by a plug and socket inside, so can easily add a smart adaptor to turn it on/off, except for the one on the shed, which is supplied from a bidirectional, double pole, type A RCBO, so my son can charge his car from it when he visits. And that is all the RCBO supplies, so easy enough to turn off, but to come down the rear of my house where the shed is, to steal power, the thief would need to be rather brave.

20251030_091332[1] - 20251030_091353[1]_blended_fused.jpg

I am getting a bit too old to look after that garden, so all my outside sockets are left on, so the gardener can use them. The shed in picture has an outside light, I use one of these

to turn the light on/off. I like them, as I can change what they are used to control. So may work the AC or a fan in the summer, and lights in the winter. And with outside sockets which share a supply with other things, I want to be able to isolate the supply with ease, and test with ease, so easy to clip my test leads onto a plug.

Mister Banks · 30 Oct 2025

Harry Bloomfield said:
If on and off at set times is all that is needed, then that's fine, but Alexa allows for some fairly clever conditional on/off controls, such as dusk to dawn, and many more.

Shelly have a number of sensors that can be used with their switches. Off the top of my head they have motion, temperature, humidity, door/window and light sensors that can all be integrated with Alexa.

petebuiltit · 29 Nov 2025

Use a cheap sonoff WiFi switch. Flash it with Tasmota and then you have a webpage for that device to switch it on and off, set timers create rules. All on your lan and no cloud needed.

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Add simple smart switch to external power socket

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