DIY Smart Power Sockets

Why you should make your own smart sockets?

• Because it’s fun and you’ll learn something new.
• Because you’ll be able to automate your home and do lots of cool things with it.
• Because it’s cheaper than commercial alternatives, especially if you want to own multiple ones. E.g. in our office we use 7 connected sockets. Buying those off the shelf would have cost us from $260 to $350 in total, yet we did it for less than $120 and each additional socket now will cost us $11 instead for $37-$50.

The recipe

1 Raspberry PI ($39)

For example from here.

1 Radio frequency (RF) transceiver for Raspberry PI ($3)

Like this one.

1 Prota OS which will control your switches. ($0*)

Download here.

3 (or more) RF switches. ($29 for 3)

We use Watts Clever in our office, but you have to contact the supplier for smaller quantities.
Some alternatives can be found here (EU plug) and here (US plug). Make sure to match the frequency of your switches and RF module.

Bread board and jumper wires.

Micro SD card to store Prota OS and apps.

Step 1: Check If You Have Following Items.

You should have Raspberry Pi, SD card with installed Prota OS, wireless power socket (we used Watts Clever), breadboard, jumper wires, 315 MHz or 433 MHz RF module with antenna (learn how to make antenna yourself here).

Step 2: Solder Antenna to the RF Module.

Step 3: Connect RF Module to Raspberry PI Using a Bread Board and Jumper Wires.

Connect as following:

RF module’s power to Raspberry PI pin #2.
VDD -> 5V (#2)

RF module’s ground to Raspberry PI pin #6.
GND -> Ground (#6)

RF modules data to Raspberry PI pin #16.
DATA -> GPIO23 (#16)

Step 4: Turn Your Raspberry PI on and Connect to Your Wi-Fi Router.

Step 5: Install Prota OS and Visit Http://myprota.me.

Step 6: Install ON/OFF App From the App Repository.

Step 7: Just Click the Install Button.

Step 8: Go Back to Shell and Open the ON/OFF App. Then Click to Add Socket.

Step 9: Name Your Socket.

Step 10: To Discover Your Socket Press and Hold on the Button Until the LED Indicator Starts Blinking.

Step 11: When the Blinking Stops It Means That Your Socket Has Been Discovered. Click Remember.

Step 12: Now You Can Turn on and Off From Any Browser. Prota OS Supports Remote Access So You Can Control Your Appliances Even When You Are Outside of Your Home Network.

Step 13: We Recommend Making a Shortcut on Your Smartphone’s Home Screen.

Step 14: If You Wish You Can Make Advance Automation Stories. E.g. Add a Bluetooth Module and Install RFID App. Then You Can Set Prota to Turn on Your Socket When You Are Present in the Room and Turn It Off When You Leave.

Step 15: Test Your Smart Socket and You Can Always Add More.

Enjoy!

We hope this was helpful. If you have any questions drop us a line or contact on Facebook or Twitter.

You like our projects? Make your own!

We are currently (and until July 30) running a maker contest. Show us the creative projects you can do with Prota OS and win awesome prizes!

More info here - https://support.prota.info/hc/en-us/community/top...

Comments

[Naran]

Prota for Raspberry Pi 3 is now available (no licence key is needed).

Download here: https://prota.info/pages/downloads

[NikolaosK10]

Can you update your links?

[barcode1999]

Just made this - great tutorial and software. Worked with some random cheap plugs bought from Morrisons years ago (sorry no model) and also used the transmitter part of these bought from amazon.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/MUZOCT-Wireless-Transmitter-Receiver-Raspberry/dp/B075T5W27D/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z1N0RDTHJ4D21J8M6VH7

[JuliusJ16]

Can I use cc1011 as a transceiver. If I can, can you please tell me the connections.

[jlabarge]

I'm having a issue with turning the light off. I can pair my RF outlet and it turns on but wont turn off. Has anyone else had a similar issue?

[ÁlvaroG56]

Can it be used with Tasker or IFTTT? Would be nice to use it with voice commands

Awesome tut man!

[AustinS96]

does anyone know if i would be able to use this same raspberry pi as a wifi hotspot? Ideally im looking to have it use a sim card or other such device to use cellular data that i can access from the internet to turn the plug on or off. Thanks in advance. All my searches seemed to lead in other directions.

[MichaelA91]

I found the plug alone on ebay and its $9.00 and free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Etekcity-One-Pack-Wireless-Remote-Control-Outlet-Switch-Additional-Replacement-/141355056598?hash=item20e96afdd6:g:Z-8AAOSw3xJVbmUS

This makes it better since we wouldn't be using the remotes anyway.

I also wanted to know can we use ANY type? I have some Stanley ones I bought that since I have them I would use them.

How about ones with Z wave tech? Can that work?

[MichaelA91]

Hi,

Ok I found how to make this project but why would we buy the plugs that will cost us around 30.00 and has the remotes and everything?

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Programmable-Electrical-Converter-Appliances/dp/B00DQELHBS/ref=sr_1_2?s=lamps-light&srs=5569938011&ie=UTF8&qid=1437542970&sr=1-2&pebp=1437542980676&perid=0VVP94X8FPJV0RJMYV4K Wouldnt there be something else that is cheaper that we can make with the RPI?

[KaryF]

So I am trying to make it work with the US versions of Etekcity ZAP RF433 mhz outlets

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQELHBS?keywords=Etekcity&qid=1455240999

but have no luck getting the outlets to accept the codes that are being sent out. According to RFsniffer they are in the 11128153 range with a 350ish pulse while the Zap remotes put out a 5512451 range and a 192 pulse is there anyway to adjust these 2 settings or its only a dev side option? I dont have a clear enough understanding but I imagine the bits are incorrect for these types of outlets and they wont take.

[Dannzig]

Is there a way to use these transceivers?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NGCZC0M?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00

[Naran]

Please subscribe to Prota Pioneer Memebership program and you'll get a download link once its available.

[Naran]

** UPDATE 3**
** New Prota OS is coming **

Naran is working relentlessly to make a new version of Prota OS available to the maker community. Please be patient and stay tuned. To get notified when the download link becomes available, please subscribe to Prota Pioneer Pembership program (http://prota.info/downloads)

[jprada]

or using this wireless remote switch to replace smart socket

link: http://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/RF-AC85V-11...

[jprada]

you can change the smart socket for wireless remote switch, the reason I want to turn on lights and other things and as the socket is too big would not be possible.

link 1: http://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/Free-shippi...

it's posible?

[Storm-E]

I finally got an RF unit after some a unfilled orders and being messed around. grrr

I even have and old B+ and a new Pi2 to load the software on...
But now there doesn't appear to be a download link.

I went to http://prota.info/downloads/ but there isn't a download button?

Where do I get it?

[Naran]

Hi! Sorry seems we've missed your comment. Send an email to [e-mail]. He'll help you out!

[Storm-E]

NO ANSWER IN FIVE DAYS!!!!

[fissinissi]

Hi, first of all, this seems like a cool project, which i am eager to try on.

I have a question though, how many rf receivers can be controlled without interuppting eachother?

[shopowner]

Hi, Cool project! Thanks for sharing!!
Do you think it is possible to build the RF switch into the power socket in the wall? or make it at least smaller? I mean, can we get rid of the big power socket and use the necessary parts directly into the socket wall? Thanks