Expert warns against smart plugs for five household device types

13 articles · Updated · ZDNet · May 8

The advice covers heavy appliances, critical medical equipment, power strips, heating devices and compressor-based appliances such as refrigerators, dehumidifiers and some air conditioners.
Most smart plugs are rated around 15A or roughly 1,200W-1,800W, and misuse can cause overheating, tripped circuits, damaged compressors, warped plugs and house fires.
Safer uses include lower-power items like lamps, chargers, fans and TVs, while high-priority, heat-producing or continuously cycling devices should be plugged directly into wall outlets.

Are you unknowingly shortening your appliance's lifespan every time you use a smart plug to control it?

With millions of devices vulnerable, could a hacker remotely turn your smart plug into a household firestarter?

Could your smart plug's data log cause your home insurance claim to be denied after a fire?