The WATTS CLEVER STANDBY CONTROL SOCKET WITH REMOTE are power sockets which are controlled via a wireless remote control. We have in the past tested an number of similar devices with various results including issues with the switch contacts locking on relatively moderate loads.
We had been quite excited to test the Watts Clever contribution to the Energy Saving Products with the Standby Control Sockets, however after several months of use we have now discarded this product due to a very alarming fault which was not received with any satisfactory response from Watts Clever Limited.
The physical appearance of the Watts Clever Standby Control sockets are substantially more appealing that any that we have seen previously, the are solid and feel quite robust, The power socket (Australian) was reliable and accepted our appliances’ three pin plus with ease.
Set-up was easy, however the product was supplied with no instructions, so even though we worked it out it would be good if we had instructions with the product in case we missed a feature or even a detailed description of the product – not too much to ask.
We have been using these sockets for a couple of months now and could not work out why some sockets would be turned on when we woke up in the morning or returned to the house, then during yesterdays lightening storm, we found that each Watts Clever Standby Control Socket started to turn appliances on and off without our intervention or desire. this resulted in some of our more expensive appliances turning on an then off in quick succession – not something I would even consider doing myself. It soon became obvious that this product has a serious issue with other devices that transmit wireless signals, While we do know that no one in our area have this product, we do know that the Watts Clever product is prone to interference issues from other devices and frequencies and as demonstrated yesterday, an electrical storm many kilometres in the sky and not even overhead caused issues with this product.
So in summary, while the Watts Clever Easy-Off sockets look and feel really very good, in practice the device is unreliable as explained and not a product that we can depend on to be part of the Energy Saving devices that we depend on.
During this test we also used compared another remote socket from Jaycar Electronics see below which while looks and feels quite nasty and the switch contacts tend to stick when used with moderate loads, we did not find any devices turned on or off unexpectedly. If the alternative Jaycar product had better switch contacts then we would be most happy with the product as we certainly can not accept a product that turns on or off by itself and when unattended – bizarre!
Remote Controlled 240V Mains Outlets – Jaycar MS-6140 – Switch Contacts Stick On!
Switch any mains appliance rated up to 10A on or off remotely. You can control up to three separate devices and switch them individually. Simply plug your appliance into the socket, set the channel for each outlet and away you go. Ideal for the disabled, elderly or for that device that is a real pain to turn on and off all the time. 
• Range: 30mFrequency: 433.92MHz
• Max Power: 2500W (10A)
• 3 outlets
• Remote size: 100(L) x 35(W) x 20(H)mm
Which the Jaycar MS-6140 did not exhibit the same uncontrolled switching on and off of remote sockets – it did have another undesired fault in that even with a moderate load that the switch contacts would often lock on – the only resolve that appeared to work for us was to remove the offending socket from the wall and drop it to a carpeted floor from about 1 meter!
Unfortunately, while detail has been applied to the physical design of the Watts Clever Standby Control socket, it certainly fails where the technical design lets it down – it should also be noted that if you want more than three remote sockets then expect a absolute nightmare in trying to set-them up as you want and like us you may settle for a configuration where additional sockets just won’t play nice together.
Our customers ask us why we do not have this product in our catalogue. While we did see a huge potential with the Watts Clever brand in that they appeared to be one of the few companies who started to deliver a range of products which fitted into the Energy Saving Category, sadly the products that we tested continued to fail in either advertised features and or usability. We certainly saw very stylish and and attractive products on the drawing board however technical design and features continued to turn them into just another cheap and nasty product that would soon end up a disappointment for the consumer. TechnicaOne Business Solutions is in the position of assisting a wide range of customers and businesses in sustainability and energy saving initiatives and will not offer for sale any device that does not meet the advertised or expected results. If Watts Clever resolve the products issues and resubmit it for testing then we would consider listing the product for sale, however the company has a very limited vision in relation to resellers which may be a problem for us to deliver the product to our customers.
We have had several purchasers of this product report the same issues, while they have had the choice to return the product this fault leaves a gap in the market for a reliable, easy to use remote socket.
Several weeks ago I had invited the CEO of Watts Clever Limited to advise me if and when this issue is resolved - I will update this post if we have such advice. Update 24 May 2010 – Watts Clever has never responded to the issues that we reported.
Australian Regulators
While we are not electricians at TechnicaOne, but we have been involved in the Electronics field for many decades, it surprises me that devices like the Watts Clever Standby Control Socket passes testing and approval. For any device that unintentionally turns it self on or off must certainly expose a safety risk to the consumer.
Update 25th May 2010:
We have continued to test the Watts Clever Remote Sockets over a 4 month period and can not identify why these sockets randomly turn on, in an attempt to remove all potential causes of interference, they continue to misbehave as described above. WE also fin d that the nightlight feature is probably one that will disappoint due to the rather sharp, underused light that is hard on the eyes when looking at it yet does not radiate light very well.
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