Additional question!

Does anyone make a PowerLine Ethernet adapter which also has #IoT functionality?

I'd like a smartplug which didn't rely on WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee etc.

(Again, not here for your "just run Ethernet everywhere" hot takes.)

@Edent I have a group of things that are all used together, but plugged into different outlets.

I have 3 smart sockets all bound to a single wireless switch to turn them all on/off together. (the group could also be turned on/off via voice, but I never do...)

@Edent Two good usecases
1) Dumb Filter Coffee Machine
a) Turns on when the alarm clock is pressed
b) HA sends a notification if the machine isn't switched off (Ie hasn't been filled with water and coffee) in the evening

2) Boiling water tap. 4l thermal store -
a) I use the smart switch for load shifting so that we fit within the inverter power limits.
b) Switches off if we're out of battery at the end of the day, refilling off-peak
c) Switches on/off during saving sessions

@Edent turning on/off all 6 lights in my living room from one remote control; turning on my cat webcam if I’m unexpectedly away from home (and rebooting it if it crashes); controlling a cheap cat food dispenser to feed my cat when I’m away.

I’m also thinking of getting some for passively monitoring energy consumption of individual appliances (I already use Open Energy Monitor on the consumer unit feeds, but it would be nice to separate out some of the high power appliances on the ring main).

@Edent I'm 50/50 between using smart plugs purely for energy monitoring, and for actual power-control (things like video call lighting in my office where the light is slightly out of reach from my chair, or for preventing parasitic draws from things like my gaming PC when I'm not using it - multiple monitors in standby + RGB LEDs on the motherboard is an absolute waste of energy).

I also have a couple of ikea zigbee plugs which I only use to extend my zigbee network

@Edent Mostly for fans and lamps which aren’t otherwise ‘smart’ — my setup is all Matter and Zigbee, and Nanoleaf don’t do bulbs small enough to fit some of the Ikea table lamps (LAMPAN) I have.

Also power monitoring for some things (overengineered home network; big desktop, which gets occasional use for games)

@Edent if you don’t already do this, you could consider using them the same way I use my “dumb” remote power plugs.

I took some time to figure out how to split my electrical devices into always on vs. power saving, and use the dumb remote power switches to turn off all the “power saving” devices at night/while I’m away.

I used a bunch of extension cords to collect like devices under one controllable socket, and made sure that had adequate surge protection.

@Edent Lamps, mainly. I also have one on my PC to reduce standby power usage automatically with some Home Assistant bits, and some on the recliners we have to stop my young kids messing with them.

I use Tasmota smart plugs[1] with energy monitoring, so I can get pretty graphs out as well.

[1] - https://www.mylocalbytes.com/products/smart-plug-pm

@Edent Strings of lights around the kids beds, plugged in under the beds where the sockets/switches aren’t accessible.

Also have a smart switch on the hallway light which is great, because it turns itself off fifteen minutes after it’s been turned on. Would kill for Gira-compatible smart dimmer switches, but they don’t exist ☹️.

@Edent
1. Turning on/off the TV in sync with the AVR, because HDMI-CEC is a sh🤬tshow.

2. Restarting the EV charging wallbox when it's crashed, without walking into the garage.

3. Timer for the Christmas lights = stairs lighting, with a manual override option.

@Edent - The only good 🔌 smart plug use-case for me has been 💡 lighting.

Only have 🛋 lamps and light sets attached but have set up various 🔀 routines and groups for different situations.

Aside from lighting, can't think of any other devices I've had connected to any smart plugs. 🤔

Found them *really* good for 🎄 Christmas lights - Alexa skill routines can include seasonal sound effects and speech. 😁

@Edent we have a dehumidifier that is on a smart plug so I can schedule it. I used to have an electric radiator that was on one, with a separate motion sensor so it would only run when I was in the study.

Also my display and thunderbolt hub are plugged into one so I can turn that on and off without going under the desk.

@Edent

I have some devices that need to be rebooted periodically and use smart plugs to do the needful remotely

Eg camera on PoE powered WiFi in chicken coop down the garden. If WiFi there is down I reset via plug (in the basement).

Likewise for any device that hangs and is guaranteed to do it while I'm away (Zgemma PVR eg)

Latest Tapo plugs give v nice displays of power consumption and cost (price data is shared automatically between them).

@Edent I’ve my mains-powered surround sound speakers and sub on smart plugs, which turn on/off together from the master plug that powers the TV. So I say “hey dingus, turn on the TV” and three smart plugs clack in to life simultaneously. I find it better to have all the stuff turned off to save power - 3 smart plugs use less than 0.5w, compared to approx 10w if the speakers are in standby.

I also have a smart plug running a heater in my garage, controlled to turn on when the ambient temp is below 10c. Temp sensor is a Zigbee unit from Sonoff.

All controlled by Home Assistant.