How can I control storage heaters by wifi?

touchdown77 · 29-11-2022 10:42AM #1

So I've 2 storage heaters at work which are on the usual night time switch and I want to control them via wifi so that I can turn them off at weekends and if I'm away.

I don't want to override the night rate meter but I want to routinely keep them off on Friday & Saturday nights and then on days when I'm away.

Would one of the Shelly rail gadgets do this? https://shop.shelly.cloud/

I realise that I'd need an electrician to install it.

TIA

10-10-20 · 29-11-2022 11:09AM

If the loadings are good then I don't see why not - the 1PM DIN rail is rated for 16A, while the 2PM is rated for 16A per output and 25A overall. Maybe 2x 1PM could be an option.

You would have to check the heater boilerplate for the wattage rating first though.

https://shop.shelly.cloud/shelly-pro-1pm-wifi-smart-home-automation

kirk. · 29-11-2022 01:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119934592#Comment_119934592

He should only need something added to control wiring on existing contactor

Wouldn't need to be direct switching the heaters

10-10-20 · 29-11-2022 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119935212#Comment_119935212

Ok, got you. I suppose the Shelly's can do that anyway - the 2PM needs to be in-series with the time-clock to break the signal?

kirk. · 29-11-2022 02:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119935486#Comment_119935486

Ya that would be all

You'd fit it last line on the control circuit

Disconnect coil live and wire it through WiFi controller back into coil

That's assuming he wants on/off both heaters simultaneously

and not separate control , separate control means more wiring

touchdown77 · 30-11-2022 02:12PM

Great thanks for the advice so far.

The storage heaters are;

XMX 718N which is 2.55kw
WMX 72495 which is 3.4kw

I don't need independent control of the heaters, both on/off will be fine.

Heres a photo of the trip switch below;

So do I just need the shelly PM1 and then book the electrician?

kirk. · 30-11-2022 02:16PM

Not familiar with them

All you need to do is break the feed into that contactor coil anyhow

That will keep the 2 heaters off , if it will do that you're in business

kirk. · 30-11-2022 02:35PM

Should be all you need a WiFi operated relay switch

Electrician might want to fit it in a box beside the board I dunno he'd have one of them anyhow

kirk. · 30-11-2022 03:00PM

I presume they will operate from a remote phone ?

touchdown77 · 30-11-2022 07:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119940093#Comment_119940093

Yes the shelly stuff is super smart, it has lots of features including a schedule and reporting etc.

The shelly 1 can do maximum load of 16a -- is that enough for two storage heaters?

10-10-20 · 30-11-2022 07:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119941234#Comment_119941234

See post https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119935212/#Comment_119935212

It's to interrupt the contractor.

kirk. · 30-11-2022 09:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119941419#Comment_119941419

Ya that's all 2- pole contactor there will keep both heaters off

I was looking at the manual , theres quite a lot of complexity to the configuration dunno would that suit me now

Safest to connect that WiFi unit at contactor coil , all it needs to do is hold off contactor

Reasons being any problems with NSH you don't want that part of the circuit your troubleshooting if possible

Also return feed from esbn timer might be going into a devireg or similar controller , devireg then controls contactor, you don't want to be interrupting that feed with unpredictable results

kirk. · 12-12-2022 11:36AM

Can you program these using a hotspot and then will they keep the time settings when you turn off the hotspot?

If you want to use them as a basic timeswitch?

10-10-20 · 12-12-2022 11:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119986667#Comment_119986667

Yes. Here's one of mine.

They create a AP (hot spot, usually called ShellyPlus1PM-xxxxxxx) themselves and you can then use that to configure them directly, or attach them to other Wifi networks.

They are non-volatile, the settings will save through a reboot. You can also do some funky things with the switching config: