Smart Outlets

[jwladd]

I would like to be able to "unplug" my internet modem for one minute and the "plug it back in" to reset my modem. I would like to do this remotely. Does your smart outlet allow this function?

[jwladd]

In other words, is there an option to turn off a device followed by an automatic turn on? Obviously, once I turn off the modem, I will no longer be able to remotely communicate with the smart outlet. In order to power cycle the modem remotely, I would need a built in function to turn the power back on after some perdefined seconds.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi,

Yes, I understand the requirement.

Interestingly, this is something we have planned to test. The answer is yes, you would be able to send a command from your dashboard that would power cycle an outlet.

The outlet would be turned off, delayed x seconds and turned back on. This should allow anything, including a router/firewall to be remotely restarted.

This was tested as working but wasn't yet added to the controls due to some inconsistencies.

Let me do a little digging to find out when it will be added it to the commands options.

[OutagesIO_Support]

So the problem isn't really a problem but something that the user would have to know and remember.

If the power cycle command is sent to an outlet that is currently off, the power off part of the power cycle will have no effect but the power on would then turn the outlet on.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support
fantastic! Please let me know when the power cycle function is added to the controls. I will then immediately purchase a smart outlet. I need it ASAP.

[OutagesIO_Support]

The verdict is that it's working.
We can send a command to something remote, even the main router and the outlet will power it down for 5 seconds, then power it back on without needing a second command.

The only problem is, we don't have anyone handy to make the needed changes in the app so cannot give you a time on when this could be added.

I'll update this once I know more about that.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support 5 seconds doesn't sound long enough to reset my cable modem. Generally one waits ~30 seconds to reset a device. Could you add an option to choose a time lapse in the power recycle function? This function is critical for me to maintain a remote facility. thanks for your consideration.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Yes, 30 seconds would be a good default but too long to wait while testing :).

Can you expand on time lapse?

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support By "time lapse" I was referring to the time between turning off the power and turning it back on at a location on your power strip. You, apparently, agree that 30 seconds might be a more useful value than 5 seconds. I understand why 5 seconds would be appropriate for testing. An option to let the user specify this value might be even better, though I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth. Thanks again for your attention to this matter.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi,

Yes, it would allow the user to enter a value of up to 30 seconds.

It looks like we should be able to roll this out next week some time. At worse, the following week if something got more complicated then expected.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi,

The function was added today. Due to time constraints, it's hard coded to 30 seconds for now and something we might be able to change in the future but wanted to get this done asap.

You can find the power cycle function in the dashboard of the device you want to control, then by the outlet you want to power cycle, More actions, Run.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support Will the 6 outlet plug work with a software agent? For purposes of testing I would like to purchase a 6 outlet plug and run it at a location where I only have a software agent. When I have confidence that I know that I understand the 6 outlet plug and its controls, then I will transport it to my remote location where I have a hardware agent.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Yes, the agent type has no meaning to the controls.
The only thing that might be an issue is if it's Community or Extended.
I believe the controls are only available in the Extended dashboard mainly due to the costs of ongoing maintenance and development of the offering.

Keep in mind the six outlet plug only has 5 controllable outlets. One is reserved as a fixed standard outlet.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support I tried to purchase a 6-outlet power strip; but, unlike the web page for the 2-outlet plug, there was no "add to cart" button on the page resulting from "buy now" button on the 6-outlet power strip page. I was unable to find a workaround to enable the purchase.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Hi,

Something must have accidentally changed. Let me take a look, fix it then update this thread.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Can you try it again? I think it might be ok now.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support Add to cart button is now present for ordering 6-outlet power strip. On checkout it asks for username and password for returning customer. I purchased a hardware agent back in Sept, so I am a returning customer. My username and password for logging into support does not work at checkout. I don't seem to have recorded a different username/password at the time of my Sept purchase.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Yes, that's odd. That would take longer to figure out.

I think you can purchase as a guest? If that's an option, you could use that.

I'll have to have someone check on that part this week.

[jwladd]

@OutagesIO_Support success purchasing as guest! In the process I was told that my email address had been used previously, so part of your record keeping remembered me. This may have been when I tried to create a new account - I didn't keep a screen shot of this - sorry.

[OutagesIO_Support]

Good to hear. Glad you were able to get it done.

Having an account isn't really important. It can be convenient if someone if regularly buying things but outside of that, guess works fine.