This summary restates some points made previously, but also discusses what capabilities I think Belkin should add to the WeMo Insight 2 with future updates to both the outlet and the app.
So, what we have here, is a nice single outlet. It is a traditional US type 3 prong outlet (two plus ground), and it needs to be plugged into a 3 prong wall outlet or extension cord.
Use it to turn on (or off) a light, a coffee pot, or what ever else you need control of. Of course you can use the less expensive WeMo outlet for that too. It’s the energy reporting/management capability that makes the Insight 2 a step up. If you don’t need that, save $10.
You can have the switch turn on or off whatever is plugged in an a regular schedule, or do it manually. You can, for example have it turn on a light 10 minutes before sundown and off at midnight.
In case I didn’t clarify before there isn’t a specific stand alone app for the Insight, rather there’s a WeMo app that works with all the WeMo devices. This image shows the app itself with one each of four different WeMo products (and also a motion sensor is bundled with another WeMo outlet similar to the Insight but without the energy features.
You create your timings (on or off) using the Rules feature at the bottom center of the screen above.
Using the Energy Monitoring
It’s a fun feature – especially for those of us at least somewhat techie. When I first started playing with the Insight, I never left the same device plugged into it for more than a few days. Mostly I was curious to learn how much power a variety of devices – lights, stereo gear, toaster oven…
Per the back of the Insight, maximum power output is 15amps so about 1500 watts. I didn’t try anything, though, that would drew more than 700 watts. (A 65″ LCD TV draws about 200 or so watts.)
I learned a lot about the power consumption and average monthly usage of a wide range of devices, including that refrigerator in my home theater. I learned which devices with better control, might lower my electric bill. For the moment I’m still using it with my Lightify outdoor lighting, but we’re adding other outdoor lighting, which I plan to also monitor to figure out monthly costs.
Manual Use
I emphasized that this is a Wifi device. What happens if your Wifi goes down? There’s that round button with the green power indicator (and a small wifi icon) on the top. Press it to power the Insight on or off, or perhaps I should say: To power the device plugged into the Insight – on or off.
IFTTT Support
IF THEN, THEN THAT. IFTTT is basically a simple language for controlling devices remotely. I would generally describe it as something mostly for DIY types or that would be used by a competent dealer/installer to give you some remote capabilities that aren’t inherent to the WeMo. A good example of that is using IFTTT to also do something else besides powering it on or off. You might create a command to control several devices – they could be multiple WeMo’s or any other devices that support IFTTT. Create a sequence of inter-related commands – if this happens turn on those lights… if the temperature goes above 80 degrees lower the shades (obviously I’m not talking about this WeMo outlet.)
I’m a novice IFTTT guy so not the right person to tell you a whole lot more. One of these days, I’ll get around to playing a lot more with this protocol so that I can explain it better.
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