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💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: systemdm on August 08, 2017, 11:12:13 PM

Title: Swidget
Post by: systemdm on August 08, 2017, 11:12:13 PM

This looks like a clean design.  Wondering if anyone here is backing it?

New on Kickstarter: Swidget Outlet Makes Your Home Smart; No New Wiring Required


https://www.electronichouse.com/smart-home/new-on-kickstarter-swidget-outlet-makes-your-home-smart/


Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: Tuicemen on August 09, 2017, 03:39:58 PM
Nice Find!
I was intrigued by this and checked out their web site http://swidget.com just to get a bit more info.
The snap in design of every thing from soup to nuts is very cool.
And with currently 4 wireless protocols and the promise of others to come this may be a hit.
I love the hinted at Alexa expansion snap in (not just a speaker).
I wish I was more electronically inclined as the developer kit would be cool to play with.
I even shared this with the owner of Authinx! ;)
 >!
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: dave w on August 09, 2017, 06:36:04 PM
Interesting. But I can't possibly sacrifice an outlet for a Swiget plug-in. I got cube taps plugged into cube taps plugged into more cube taps with X10 modules in the all the open outlets.  rofl
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: Knightrider on August 10, 2017, 05:42:49 PM
Interesting. But I can't possibly sacrifice an outlet for a Swiget plug-in. I got cube taps plugged into cube taps plugged into more cube taps with X10 modules in the all the open outlets.  rofl

Please don't say that in front of a firefighter with a degree in EE.
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: dave w on August 10, 2017, 05:53:03 PM
Please don't say that in front of a firefighter with a degree in EE.
Nor an insurance agent.
Not to worry Knight. I may have ten plugs, cube tapped in to one outlet, but each plug only takes a few hundred watts at most. And when I find a tap running hot, I move a plug or two to another tap. I only have an occasional breaker trip. All is good.  :'

Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: beelocks on August 10, 2017, 06:31:00 PM
I may have ten plugs, cube tapped in to one outlet, but each plug only takes a few hundred watts at most. And when I find a tap running hot, I move a plug or two to another tap. I only have an occasional breaker trip. All is good.  :'

I always find that alternating power strips between the cubes helps with the heat dissipation.
Granted, it's more expensive and not as tidy, but on the upside you can easily get 20 or 25 plugs into a single outlet -:)
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: dave w on August 11, 2017, 09:18:16 AM
I always find that alternating power strips between the cubes helps with the heat dissipation.
-:)
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: dhouston on August 12, 2017, 02:13:46 PM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41ihHBpyDJL._AC_SY200_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/GE-54947-Grounded-6-Outlet-Tap/dp/B00006IBFA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502561675&sr=8-4&keywords=outlet+splitter (https://www.amazon.com/GE-54947-Grounded-6-Outlet-Tap/dp/B00006IBFA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502561675&sr=8-4&keywords=outlet+splitter)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41maDANNSQL._AC_SY200_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-4-Outlet-Y-Splitter/dp/B01K3ADZ76/ref=pd_sim_60_16?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01K3ADZ76&pd_rd_r=DTJF5KWJNPT4H7SYJDW7&pd_rd_w=FmSvh&pd_rd_wg=TRFZD&psc=1&refRID=DTJF5KWJNPT4H7SYJDW7 (https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-4-Outlet-Y-Splitter/dp/B01K3ADZ76/ref=pd_sim_60_16?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01K3ADZ76&pd_rd_r=DTJF5KWJNPT4H7SYJDW7&pd_rd_w=FmSvh&pd_rd_wg=TRFZD&psc=1&refRID=DTJF5KWJNPT4H7SYJDW7)
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: dave w on August 13, 2017, 04:42:25 PM
 -:)  :)%
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: JeffVolp on August 14, 2017, 09:22:12 AM
New product idea - baseboard power strip with an outlet every foot.  I also ran across this:
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: bkenobi on August 14, 2017, 10:53:47 AM
That's not really new.  I've seen the same thing designed for use in shops.  It would be nice if there was a nicer looking option for the house though.  This is one example though I've seen a few other styles.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Outlet-Cabinet-PS7224/dp/B00006B81I
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: JeffVolp on August 14, 2017, 12:06:53 PM
That's not really new.  I've seen the same thing designed for use in shops.  It would be nice if there was a nicer looking option for the house though.  This is one example though I've seen a few other styles.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Outlet-Cabinet-PS7224/dp/B00006B81I

Yes, I am familiar with those.  We use them on workbenches.  I was talking about nice looking baseboard with embedded outlets.  I don't think there is anything like that out there.

Jeff
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: bkenobi on August 15, 2017, 10:36:31 AM
Yeah, not really.  I've seen the ones that are basically plastic baseboards that snap together (wire raceways), but they don't work like you describe and are rather cheap for a home (probably look ok in an office though).
(https://www.cableorganizer.com/images/hellerman-tyon/infostream/images/02-Infostream_sample-layout.jpg)

Oh, and those are EXPENSIVE compared to a standard duplex outlet.
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: Alan V on August 15, 2017, 04:11:28 PM
I think code states that the outlets must be between 12 inches to 18 inches from the floor, probably to prevent them, or the cords attached to them, from inadvertently being kicked.
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: JeffVolp on August 15, 2017, 04:31:51 PM
I think code states that the outlets must be between 12 inches to 18 inches from the floor, probably to prevent them, or the cords attached to them, from inadvertently being kicked.

I could not find a height requirement except for those over coutertops, but 210.52 includes factory installed electrical outlets in baseboard electric heaters.  So those would be at the baseboard level.  And we've been in homes where outlets are installed directly in the floor.

Jeff
Title: Re: Swidget
Post by: bkenobi on August 16, 2017, 11:28:10 AM
The bedroom in my parents house had a wire with a non-grounded outlet extending out from under the base boards.  It was built in the 1960's and I can't say it's per code but that's not the first time I've seen something like that.  I don't get it since there were plenty of outlets around the room (actually, I think they were non-grounded triple outlets so running out would have been difficult.  This house had telephone hookups done the same way rather than installing in a wall panel so I don't think I'd use it as a reference.