Isolate single plug from others on same circuit

[PGM]

How to isolate a single plug from others on the same circuit?

I plan to install solar at my home and need advice on how to deal with my under-counter small geyser. 

It is plugged into a regular 15amp plug that share a circuit breaker with other appliances in the kitchen. During load shedding (when using batteries etc) I want to automatically switch off the geyser but not the other appliances on the same circuit. Any advice on how to do this will be appreciated.

[BritishRacingGreen]

5 hours ago, PGM said:

How to isolate a single plug from others on the same circuit?

I plan to install solar at my home and need advice on how to deal with my under-counter small geyser. 

It is plugged into a regular 15amp plug that share a circuit breaker with other appliances in the kitchen. During load shedding (when using batteries etc) I want to automatically switch off the geyser but not the other appliances on the same circuit. Any advice on how to do this will be 

Decommisioning an existing plug that is part of other plugs sharing a neutral is heavy work. Even if you do, you must still route a new live and neatral from the db board. So my recommendation is install a new surface  plug for geyser, its less work. 

Edited April 23, 2023 by BritishRacingGreen

[Scorp007]

1 hour ago, BritishRacingGreen said:

Decommisioning an existing plug that is part of other plugs sharing a neutral is heavy work. Even if you do, you must still route a new live and neatral from the db board. So my recommendation is install a new surface  plug for geyser, its less work. 

I wish myself there was an easy way. All my kitchen plugs are via floor conduits. I don't want to use surface conduit or chase in a face brick wall. 

Thus they have to stay as is. 

Edited April 23, 2023 by Scorp007

[frivan]

Install a relay or contactor in line that is powered from a heavy load or different plug circuit. You only need a small cable for the coil of this unit.

[BritishRacingGreen]

40 minutes ago, Scorp007 said:

I wish myself there was an easy way. All my kitchen plugs are via floor conduits. I don't want to use surface conduit or chase in a face brick wall. 

Thus they have to stay as is. 

Now that's also true. Maybe I am biased towards the upheaval I encountered trying to split / seperate neatrals in the roof. It was a horrible nightmare and my house is old . 

So yes, if it comes to chasing etc, its best to re-use the existing conduits. 

 

[Modina]

I am surprised at all the replies, suggesting/discussing rewiring.  Look, even a small geyser is a heavy consumer and plugs normally sit on a 20A circuit breaker.  So you don't have much spare to power some very hungry kitchen appliances.  Your current setup is not ideal and adding an extra pair of cables is the best solution.  Granted.

Now I don't like WiFi ONE BIT.  I keep mine OFF for 99% of the time, but I am a crazy old man.  Ordinary folks have no problem at all with it.  So why didn't anyone suggest an IOT Sonoff relay that is controlled wirelessly from a Rasberry PI or whatever other smart devices you guys play with.  All you want to do is make sure the geyser is off during L/S.  If you do it via the cloud, then at least Bill Gates can turn it off as well, if he feels that you have been a very naughty boy and used up all your carbon credits.

I am sure Klaus Schwab would approve noddingly as well.

Edited April 23, 2023 by Modina

[markus_m2]

Put in a relay - controlled either by physical wire (as mentioned a small set of wires would suffice, so you may be able to chase through existing conduit), or controlled by a smart switch (sonoff or similar) which disconnects over wifi when load shedding.

[Modina]

There you go.  The magic of wireless tech.

[Riaancam]

22 hours ago, PGM said:

How to isolate a single plug from others on the same circuit?

I plan to install solar at my home and need advice on how to deal with my under-counter small geyser. 

It is plugged into a regular 15amp plug that share a circuit breaker with other appliances in the kitchen. During load shedding (when using batteries etc) I want to automatically switch off the geyser but not the other appliances on the same circuit. Any advice on how to do this will be appreciated.

Hi

Use one of this WIFI plugs then you can control it via WIFI and is available on Takealot or Builders

 

[rkistner]

For the WiFi route, you have some options:

1. Use the "Sonoff LoadShedder" (https://www.sonoffafrica.co.za/product/loadshedder/), along with a Sonoff relay. This way everything can be controlled using the Sonoff software - no complex integrations required. Unfortunately you don't get the standard 3-prong ZA plugs with Sonoff, but you may be able to fit a Sonoff MiniR3 16A behind the outlet. Also keep in mind that this will depend on WiFi + internet working, although Sonoff iHost may solve that when released.

2. Use HomeAssistant, along with any relay that integrates with it (personally I still prefer Sonoff, and have had issues with Tuya-based ones). You may be able to integrate directly with your inverter, avoiding the need for the "LoadShedder". Depending on the inverter + integration, there may be a delay in detecting loadshedding (e.g. the most common Deye/Sunsynk integration just checks once every minute). This can also work fully on your local WiFi, without an internet connection. But if you're not doing any other home automation, this will be a lot of work and learning to configure just for this one thing.

 

[PGM]

Thanks for feedback. It seems I have no option but to get a smart plug and manage it via the app

[system32]

55 minutes ago, PGM said:

Thanks for feedback. It seems I have no option but to get a smart plug and manage it via the app

AFAIK, the Sonoff LoadShedder as mentioned by @rkistner once setup will automatically do what you need - no need to use the app to turn off/on.

Edited April 25, 2023 by system32

[PGM]

Thanks system32. I missed the part of it automatically doing what I need. I now requested my installer to fit one for me.