Locking IKEA smart plugs

[wraith basalt]

I have a smart plug and I like that it has on-off functionality besides the energy metering, but I'm thinking of expading to several more smartplugs that will be deployed solely for its energy-metering features, in front of a power strip, to measure consumption.

I don't want anyone to accidentally hit a button and turn off everything plugged into it so, is there a way to lock the on/off functionality? I don't even want to accidentally hit the trigger myself, I'd like some sort of confirmation before it turns off etc. Anyone knows hot to set this up with the IKEA plugs specifically?

I'm using ZHA

[ebon ice]

Do you mean from within home assistant or from the physical button?

[wraith basalt]

Within home assistant would be enough, since the button is out of the way already

[ebon ice]

You can disable the switch entity entirely if you want to. That would stop anything messing with it unless you first enable the entity again.

Press on the entity to bring up the more info box then hit the cog for settings then you can toggle off the "enabled" option.

[wraith basalt]

I hadn't considered that. Thanks!

[ebon ice]

No Worries, Happy Automating. 🙂

[tawny latch]

You might consider setting the entity's visibility instead. You'll still have the entity to use (particularly if you need to turn on the device after a power failure or to cycle power for a connected device). With the visibility turned off, it is less likely to be noticed and toggled.

[summer ingot]

please note the loads on the powerstrip. dont attach motors, dryers, washing machines etc to it.

[valid anchor]

In case you don't want to disable the entity entirely, I found this way to disable the switch in an entities card, while still displaying the state.

type: entities
entities:
  - entity: switch.everything
    name: Power
    icon: mdi:power-plug
    card_mod:
      style:
        hui-generic-entity-row:
          ha-entity-toggle:
            $:
              ha-switch:
                $: |
                  .mdc-switch .mdc-switch__thumb input {
                    pointer-events: none;
                  }
                .: |
                  ha-switch {
                    --switch-unchecked-button-color: var(--disabled-text-color);
                    --switch-checked-button-color: var(--disabled-text-color);
                  }```

[wraith basalt]

Thanks. The strip is connected to various electronics (servers, printer etc)

I get no motors but why not washing machines? I was hoping to measure my washing machine electrical consumption too

[ebon ice]

Washing machines have motors in them.

[wraith basalt]

so, is it impossible to put a smart plug for metrics between the power and a washing machine?

[ebon ice]

Well impossible is a strong word... There are options for smart plug form factor monitoring without a relay. What country are you in?

[wraith basalt]

Ireland. we have Uk style plugs

[ebon ice]

Cool, UK Here. You could look at THESE they are a Wi-Fi energy monitoring smart plug but with no relay so they can't be switched.

That is the ESPHome installed version which is what I would tend to lean towards but they also do a Tasmota flavour if that is something you prefer..

The solution I use for washing machine/dishwasher though is by wiring a Shelly EM Mini inline. I put it after the fused spur for the appliance so its correctly protected.

Or there are CT Clamp options too. but tbf if you would prefer smartplug form factor then grab some of the athom no-relay plugs and call it a day.

[idle bear]

fwiw, the current IKEA plugs in north america document that they can handle up to 300W AC motor loads. Check the documentation for your regional variant

[wind hawk]

Note it's not only for motor, but all non-resistive loads. So basically anything that's not a incandescent bulb or space heater. So applied to modern switching power supplies as well.

But as long as you don't switch the load it's not really critical.