Remote controlled WiFi socket with power measurement - Piri

The Piri company provided us for testing remote controlled socket WiFi 2.4GHz which measure the power consumed by the connected device. In the video you will find the results of the socket tests, we will also look inside the housing.
Control of switching on the connected device and reading of power consumption is possible thanks to the smartphone application: Piri smart home .
The socket is compact and ready to use out of the box, it can switch power up to 3kW, while the application guides you through the process of connecting to your home WiFi network. We set up an account in the operator's cloud in the application using the e-mail address you have. Put the device into pairing mode by holding the button for 5 seconds, the diode will flash quickly. In order for the application to connect the socket to our WiFi network, the AP should broadcast the SSID of the network, and the MAC of the socket must be on the list of devices allowed to connect to our WiFi AP.



DEVICE CONTROL

The device connected to the socket can be controlled:
- a manual button on the socket housing,
-from any place in the world where we have access to the Internet, using an application on a smartphone,
-with the use of on and off schedules, as well as a timer configured by the application.
The schedules set in the application are run in the operator's cloud and the socket will be switched regardless of whether our smartphone and the application are connected to the Internet. The condition for remote control of the socket is its constant connection with the Internet.

OPERATION AND NEST CONSTRUCTION:


Link


The application is convenient to use, but minor adjustments would be needed, e.g. the cracking of messages in the operation log and increasing the resolution of measurement points on the timeline.



It is worth taking a look at the YT Piri channel, you will find there materials both about the WiFi socket and, for example, about a wireless camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1VYP0bVcg8

The socket, when working with ~ 230.8VAC power supply, consumes 3.14mA with the relay off and 6.73mA with WiFi activity, and 9.44mA with the relay on and 11.64mA with WiFi activity.

Comparison of device indications with a connected light bulb is 158W in the application on the smartphone and 148W from the indications of connected multimeters.
Connecting the iron gave the indication 1092W in the application, the multimeter indications are 1013W.
Connecting a 1uF capacitor showed 0W, while the ammeter showed 73mA Bravo! the socket actually indicates active power .
Another PF (power factor) measurement could be useful.



We look inside the socket and the thoughtful compact design immediately catches the eye. Easily locate the measuring resistor and the WiFi module.



The WiFi module is based on the Mediatek MT5931 (802.11n 2.4HGz) and ARM MC101 system, after a while you can find information about the module on the network: Micro UART To WiFi Module . The WiFi antenna is made in the form of a section of wire - there is scope for development towards a PCB or ceramic antenna.



On the board you will find a 250V / 16A relay that controls the connected device, a switching power supply based on LNK306N, the HLW8012 power measurement system and the STM8 8S003FP6 microcontroller. You can find more about the power measurement system, e.g. here: HLW8012 .



Where do you see the application for a remotely controlled WiFi socket with power measurement?

Personally, I see an application in controlling electric heating and air conditioning (provided that the air conditioner starts when powered). The power measurement function can help to optimize energy costs, while remote control and scheduling can facilitate the ongoing control of the connected device. During an unexpected change in weather or a change of plans, an outlet could turn on heating or air conditioning and prepare the house for our return.
There are days when such an outlet could be useful to start the coffee machine in the kitchen, when the alarm clock in the bedroom keeps us awake
- of course, one should "arm" such a coffee machine the day before ...

An interesting development of the structure would be the possibility of indicating other parameters in the application, apart from active power / energy, e.g. power factor, mains voltage, current consumed by the receiver, counting inductive and capacitive reactive energy. Even if the values were approximate as in simple energy meters: measurement of active, reactive and apparent power that would be an interesting feature. Perhaps such functionality can be added by changing the firmware and by expanding the application?



We previously tested wireless outdoor WiFi camera also made available by Piri.

The downside in such devices is that they cover two sockets, and in triple ones, 3 sockets.

It is a pity that it is not possible to control via the website.

subribe wrote:

The downside in such devices is that they cover two sockets, and in triple ones, 3 sockets.

This socket does not cover two sockets
the socket is 78mm high and 67mm wide
Standard frame for the socket is 86 mm, in the case of frames where several sockets are installed, the area for the socket is 74 mm
The problem can only be when a double socket is mounted in a single box, as in the photo

Is there a chance that in the future firmware / application update will add voltage, current and PF measurement functions?

If you have ideas for additional tests and trials, you can write in the topic, maybe some of them can be implemented. Similarly in the earlier material with the camera.

I suggest checking:
1. Will the socket remember the settings after programming the timer and a power failure in the mains?
2. As above, except that there is no wi-fi after power is restored

quick research and it looks like the uC + radio module is http://www.hi-flying.com/hf-lpt100. For me, the basic information is: Is there an alternative, open firmware that will allow you to integrate with anything without the need for the manufacturer's cloud?

@sunday according to the module description, it is "UART to Wi-Fi", i.e. it is very possible that all the logic sits in the ST microcontroller. I think it will be difficult to use anything other than the manufacturer's cloud. I discovered a curiosity, the WiFi module displays the WEB page on port 80. Access to this page is admin / admin. Our AP password is written there, so it may be some attack vector on the socket or network with which it is connected. It's worth fixing it up.



@Szyszkownik Kilkujadek these are interesting questions, I did tests.
1. "Will the socket remember the settings after programming the timer and power failure in the network?"
here I had no doubts, this is a cloud device and it will definitely work, connect to WiFi and download settings.

The course of the test:
- we set the timer in the application
- the relay has been turned on
- we disconnect the power from the socket
- we power it up again
- the device has been connected to WiFi and the relay has been turned on
- the activation time in the timer has passed and the relay has been turned off

No surprise, the device is controlled from the cloud.

2. "As above, but additionally there is no wi-fi after power is restored"

There was no chance here, but the result surprised me a lot.

The course of the test:
- we set the timer in the application, e.g. at 19:10 on and 19:20 off
- we turn off the Wi-Fi AP
-we are waiting
-the socket switched the relay during its activation and deactivation!

So someone had to predict such a situation and the microcontroller kept the switching on times from the cloud, and counts down the offline time.
I am not sure what the time range of the correct operation of such a timer is, but it copes with no problems for short periods of time.

Test excluding WiFi and power outlet.
- we set timers in the application
-we turn off WiFi
- we disconnect the power from the device
- we power the socket again
-we are waiting
nothing happens.

This is normal, there is no RTC backup battery inside, and after restarting the power supply, there was no WiFi available and the socket could not synchronize the settings.

@Piri Poland I am quite intrigued by the possibility of updating the firmware and applications. Does the design of the device theoretically allow the expansion of measurement capabilities through firmware update? Mainly it is about current / voltage, PF / reactive power / cos phi. Such options in addition to active power.

@TechEkspert thanks for taking the tests. The results surprise positively, because I was wondering if the socket would lose the settings after the restart. As you can see, it doesn't get lost. It only needs WiFi to set the current date and time.

TechEkspert wrote:

I discovered a curiosity, the WiFi module displays the WEB page on port 80

Can I control the socket via this page?

TechEkspert wrote:

it is very possible that all the logic is in the ST microcontroller. I think it will be difficult to use anything other than the manufacturer's cloud

I do not really understand. Since there is a microcontroller, the firmware can probably be uploaded to it. The more that it is based on the ARM core. You just need to find a Cossack to write it. Anybody?

wniedzie wrote:

I do not really understand. Since there is a microcontroller, the firmware can probably be uploaded to it. The more that it is based on the ARM core. You just need to find a Cossack to write it. Anybody?

It is probably easier to design such a device by yourself from "0" than to play in such combinations.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are already devices of this type that you can program according to your preferences. Working from cover to cover.

@Szyszkownik Kilkujadek the fact that the socket synchronized after restarting via WiFi is of course on +, I was more surprised that the programmed sequence of switching on and off was performed after the WiFi disappeared (probably it works in a limited time range ...).

The WEB interface looks like the interface of the WiFi-UART converter, so you cannot control the socket, only set the WiFi connection parameters.

@sunday this board with ARM is a WiFi-UART converter, therefore my suspicion that all the logic of the socket control is in the ST microcontroller, the WiFi-UART board is probably only for ST communication with the cloud.

The relay is poorly visible, but it seems to me that only one wire disconnects the socket (the relay has one contact)? If so, there is a risk that the disconnected device will still be live to earth.

Adding support via HTTP would make it possible to use the socket in the construction of a home "smart home" installation.

[edited]

TechEkspert wrote:

... Where do you see the use of a remote controlled WiFi socket with power measurement? ...

I have almost every receiver "eating" a lot of energy measured through similar sockets. My wife was surprised when I showed her how much energy the electric kettle consumes only because she almost always boils a full kettle (instead of, for example, only as much as she needs) or how much energy is consumed (shame) by a TV set turned on for children.

By the amount of electricity consumed, I recognize the status of various devices and thus I recognize when the dishwasher or washing machine has finished washing.

By the amount of power consumed, I recognize whether the "digit" has been turned off with the TV. Currently, only a reminder message appears, but ultimately there will be an "IR transmitter" that will turn off the unnecessary device itself.

Nice, beautiful, but the price of PLN 169 discredits this device in my "intelligent apartment". Sonoff POW is cheaper, and the option of an all-plug instead of a box on the cable is not worth overpaying PLN 120.

kowal011 wrote:

... Sonoff POW ...

I walked around it like around a hedgehog. Today I read a bit and thank you for pointing this out.

Well, after uploading an alternative software, we have access via HTTP. This is very essential for any "home heroes". The smartphone application (as in the case of Piri) looks nice, but ... it closes the product in the smartphone area. It is difficult for any integration. Somehow it is difficult for me to imagine 5 sockets of this type and one smartphone - what for? Or maybe Piri has something up his sleeve, but we don't know about it?

@Erbit it looks like one contact is disconnecting. Maybe there is a chance to present the solution you did in Articles , measurement and control are one thing, the description shows that you have added data analysis and control on this basis in the future.

However, what Piri hides is a question for Piri ;)

On the one hand, easy commissioning and control will be appreciated by users counting on plug & play, while the possibility of local control and possibly API access will be appreciated by another group of recipients. It looks like it's best to have both in your product.

TechEkspert wrote:

... it looks like one contact is disconnecting ...

Unfortunately, this is a problem for all solutions known to me (which does not mean that I know all the solutions).

TechEkspert wrote:

... from the description it appears that you have added data analysis and control on this basis in the future.

Unfortunately, I am not the author of the solutions I use. I am only the originator of the use of data (e.g. current power) for my own applications described in a few sentences above. It would be rather difficult to make an article out of it.

[edited]
It looks like this:

where in the red frame I added information about the status depending on the power consumed (a bit higher). These are simple terms. There is nothing to describe.
[edited]
Yes, there is also a (voice) message, but here too, a solution proposed by the same manufacturer is used.

For comparison, for PLN 49 in Biedronka you can buy a WiFi socket, but without timers. Only on / off.

subribe wrote:

The downside in such devices is that they cover two sockets, and in triple ones, 3 sockets.

Just put such a clever socket in one of the end sockets on a wall or strip and they will never obstruct more than two.

I see a more serious problem:
If the condition of work is constant access to the Internet, then in the event of a network access interruption that occurs after switching on the receiver, we cannot turn it off (remote option). And since the socket carries 3kW it can be hot.

WOW! however, the producer embraced such a scenario - bravo.

Added after 4 [minutes]:

Piri Polska wrote:

subribe wrote:

The downside in such devices is that they cover two sockets, and in triple ones, 3 sockets.

This socket does not cover two sockets

When plugged into a power strip connected to a contact, it covers more than one of the sockets in the strip as much as possible. But something for something.

Good thing there is a variety of devices of this type on the market and they are available at different prices.

@Szyszkownik Kilkujadek Do you have this socket from Bierdonka, maybe you can put the material, what is its internal structure?
Does this socket measure the power consumed by the connected device?

Erbit wrote:

thank you for pointing this out

Here you are.

@TechEkspert I don't have this outlet. But I have read the description on the case and they don't mention the measurements there.

Are there flush-mounted sockets like standard ones so that nothing sticks out? one that can fit into a can?

These specifically not. But there are manufacturers who offer solutions mounted in a box instead of a socket, or in a deep box under the socket.