WiFi plug question

[Mottie]

Ive just bought a couple of WiFi plugs to turn on a couple of heaters in work to warm an area up on my way in. They are a 3kw (can be switched over to 1.8kw) and a 2kw. They are rated at 3120w. Only thing is, the instructions give a big list of things that are 'best not' used on and one of them are heaters! Surely if they are rated at more than a particular unit, they can be used, can’t they?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Are the items on that list reactive loads?

 

[Mottie]

What’s a reactive load?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Fluorescent lights
Transformers
Heating
.
.

 

[Mottie]

Yes, they’re heaters as I said in my original post. Why can’t a 2kw heater be used in a 3120w socket? I’ve tried them out for ten minutes. What will happen - will they catch fire/melt or just pack up?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Because the switch can't handle reactive (maybe only inductive) loads of that size? When switched off, back emf can cause a high voltage to appear at the switch terminals.

What else is on the list of "best not used"?

 

[Mottie]

Kettles, cookers, microwaves, toasters....
Ah well, looks like they are going back to Amazon then. Thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Heating elements, heating elements, transformers, heating elements....

 

[ban-all-sheds]

OOI, how did you select these particular switches?

 

[Mottie]

Just saw them on Amazon. Said they switch on items remotely. Can also set timings on them. Checked the rating and thought they’d be okay. They do work well. Might just keep them for switching lights on and off at home when we're away on holiday. These ones.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMJ-GHOMA-Wi-Fi-Plug-/142545092971?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Well, I only looked at the first 3 out of 260 pages for that guy's shop, but they did not give any indication of expertise relavent to that type of product.

The maker's website says "Usable with all range of household devices and appliances", but then they are Chinese.

 

[flameport]

Possible reason is that heaters being switched on while unattended could be a fire hazard?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Could be.

I struggle to understand why anybody would want to remotely switch kettles, cookers, microwaves, toasters via the internet.

But then I struggle to understand the mentality of people who think that because one can do something one should.

 

[Nozzle]

Ive just bought a couple of WiFi plugs to turn on a couple of heaters in work to warm an area up on my way in. They are a 3kw (can be switched over to 1.8kw) and a 2kw. They are rated at 3120w. Only thing is, the instructions give a big list of things that are 'best not' used on and one of them are heaters! Surely if they are rated at more than a particular unit, they can be used, can’t they?

They recommend you switch nothing that can cause a fire, stuff can fall on or in and if you're there to turn the thing on initially there's a good chance you'll spot the hazard or developing smoke.

Nozzle

 

[ericmark]

I have similar devices there is nothing that says can't be used with heaters.

I know there have been problems with paper blowing onto convector heaters and causing a fire, if unattended normally oil filled are used, as no red hot parts to cause ignition. Likely also sold to USA and they really do some daft things like expecting their car to drive its self automatically think it was a Tesla so manufacturers have to play safe.