[chbot] ESP8266 Modules & solar load management

[Richard Jones]

Volker,

Like it or not NZ has a free trade agreement with the country from where
this device is sourced. What this means for electrical safety is spelt out
here:

http://www.chinafta.govt.nz/5-FAQ/#Electrical

"The FTA contains an agreement on the mutual recognition of conformity
assessment for electrical and electronic equipment (EEEMRA)"

The company that designs and manufactures these things (Xiaomi) is valued
at 15x more than NZ exported in total last year. I suspect that a company
of that size investing in the manufacture of such devices for world wide
export knows a thing or two about electrical safety, and cares deeply for
their reputation. Never the less the device will get a thorough inspection
before it goes into service even though it has a CCC mark of approval.

Unlike some similar devices this particular device preserves the earth
connection between plug and socket. I am also concerned about the isolation
of the USB connection and fire.

There are other similar devices widely available that I would not use
because the ground connection is allegedly not preserved between plug and
socket:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Orvibo-S20-Wifi-Power-Smart-Socket-Timer-Switch-Wall-Plug-Cell-Phone-Wireless-Remote-Control-EU/32308708591.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Broadlink-SP2-Smartphone-Phone-Wireless-Remote-control-socket-power-supply-by-wifi-ir-RFfor/1694526057.html

Interestingly I found information that suggests the UK variants may
preserve the ground connection.

During the last 10 years I have had two electrical devices blow up on me.
One was bought in Bunnings NZ and came from China. The other was
manufactured by Philips in Holland and bought in the UK. Both had dramatic
failures in mains connected capacitors. Based on my small sample I can't
base an electrical safety argument on country of origin or country of
purchase.

When this neat little remote controlled mains socket gizmo arrives I'll
bring it along to a meeting so that everyone can have a look.

Richard


On Sun, Apr 5, 2015 at 9:02 AM, Volker Kuhlmann <list0570 at paradise.net.nz>
wrote:

> On Sat 04 Apr 2015 09:50:17 NZDT +1300, Richard Jones wrote:
>
> > However it might be
> > simpler, cheaper and safer to crack the protocol of a device like this:
> >
> >
> http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-XiaoMi-Smart-plug-WiFi-Phone-Wireless-Remote-Control-Smart-Socket/32266632483.html
>
> You said you care about electrical safety. What makes you think this
> particular product is electrically safe? The USB port that is. You could
> of course always make it safe by filling it up with hot glue.
>
> Incidentally it's one of the few multi-socket thingemies that has a safe
> socket design and is therefore permitted to be imported into New
> Zealand.
>
> Volker
>
> --
> Volker Kuhlmann
> http://volker.top.geek.nz/      Please do not CC list postings to me.
>
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