A smart plug is a Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth-enabled device that plugs into a standard power outlet and allows you to remotely control, monitor, and schedule any appliance connected to it.

Key Features
App Control – Turn devices on/off from anywhere via smartphone.

Scheduling & Timers – Set automatic on/off times to save energy.

Energy Monitoring – Track real-time and historical power usage.

Voice Assistant Compatible – Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri.

Safety Protections – Overload, surge, and overheating protection.

Common Applications

Appliance                                Use Case Example
Coffee Maker                       Auto-start in the morning
Space Heater                     Remote shutdown for safety
Lamps/Lights                     Schedule for presence simulation
Aquarium Pumps              Time-based control for feeding/circulation
Routers/Modems              Restart remotely when connection drops

Connectivity Options

Protocol                     Range                            Benefits
Wi-Fi                      ~50m indoors             No hub needed, direct cloud access
Zigbee                   ~10–20m/node             Mesh network, low power
Z-Wave                 ~30m/node                   Mesh, secure, often used in smart homes
Bluetooth                   ~10m                      Direct, energy efficient for simple tasks

Smart Plug in an IoT Ecosystem
Smart plugs are essential components in:

Smart homes
Building energy management systems (BEMS)
Remote equipment control setups
Smart agriculture (pumps, fans)
They integrate with broader IoT systems for automation, energy savings, and predictive maintenance.

Example Use: Energy-Saving Scenario
Goal: Automatically shut down idle office equipment at 8 PM.

Solution:
Plug all equipment into smart plugs.
Set a daily schedule in the app.
Enable energy reports to monitor usage and savings.