Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. I turn on the device but it switches off by itself after a period of time

    In most cases this is because of the thermostat settings that change the status of the relay according to your settings. Please check your thermostat settings. Also make sure that you do not configure any scheduler to change the status of the relay. Finally check the security setting. Access to your device must be restricted either from specific phone numbers or by password. Try to reset the device to the default and configure it again. See the User Manual for details of the reset procedure for your iSocket of the previous generation.

  • 2. I switched the socket ON manually and then enabled the thermostat. After a few minutes the socket was switched off. Is this a malfunction?

    No, it is not a malfunction, but it is logic. If you have enabled the Thermostat Function then the relay will follow the settings of the thermostat. Let's imagine you configure the thermostat for a heating system to heat your room up to 15C (59F) and that you enabled the Thermostat Function when the temperature in your room was 25C (77F). iSocket understands that the temperature is higher than 15C (59F) and therefore switches the relay off. You are now trying to turn it on manually (e.g. by sending "ON"). But because the thermostat is still enabled and senses that the temperature in the room is still more than 15C (59F) it will switch the relay off again. There can be no other logic in this case. If you want to manage iSocket manually, you should disable thermostat function.

  • 3. I use iSocket to notify me if power is lost. When I disconnect it from a wall socket, it doesn't send me a message.

    The most common reason for this is that a number for alerts is not installed or installed incorrectly. In some model you was able use the command ALERTME to install your number for alerts automatically. Make sure you do not use the "hide my number" setting with your operator, otherwise iSocket will not be able to recognise your number. If ALERTME is not available on your unit, use the command ALERTNUMBER+yournumber to add the number. Your number must start with the international code (e.g. "44" for the UK). See details in the User Manual for your iSocket of the previous generation.

  • 4. Sometimes I send a message but the device does not turn on or respond

    iSocket accepts a message and acts immediately according to the command you have sent to it. If sometimes the device does not reply to your commands and does not perform an action it might be because the message has not reached the unit (remains in the queue of operator), because of connection problems on the mobile network or due to a low signal level. If the problem occurs often, we would recommend that you check the operation of the device with another operator or try another location of the unit to get better signal strength.

  • 5. What is difference between iSocket Smart Relay with AC Voltage sensor and without it?

    The model with built-in AC Voltage Sensor allows detecting mains failure (AC power failure). However you are not always need AC Voltage Sensor for that. It is depend on how you power the device and in which environment you are going to use it. iSocket Smart Relay is powered from 12V DC. You may provide this power from either uninterruptible power source (UPS) of 12V or from AC-DC adapter. If you power the unit from an AC-DC adapter and mains power failure occurred, then AC-DC adapter stop provide power to the unit and iSocket® Smart Software can recognize this fact. In that case you do NOT need to use AC Voltage Sensor. However, if you power the unit from an accumulator (or UPS) you will not be able to recognize if there is AC power in the network or not. That is why an AC Voltage Sensor for 120V AC or 220V AC must be used. If your environment do not supposed to work with AC voltage at all, then you do not need a model with AC Voltage Sensor.

  • 6. I have configured a number for alerts but the unit does not notify me when the power has failed. I suspect something has happened to the battery.

    Please make sure that number is configured correctly – see the User Manual for your iSocket of the previous generation to find out what command must be used to check this number for alerts (for most products it is the command "ALERTNUMBER?"). If you suspect a problem with a battery you may perform a simple test. Connect the iSocket to a wall socket and take it out immediately. If you see that the indicators (especially the blue one) continue to be lit for the next 5-15 seconds before they extinguish then the battery is OK. Finally, make sure that your product supports power failure alerting (long time ago we had iSocket EcoSwitch or L707 model that did not support it) and your SIM-card is able to send messages (you may test it in an ordinary mobile phone).

  • 7. I have iSocket installed in my remote cottage. It was turned off. But today I have sent message STATUS and found that iSocket is turned on! I suspect, that is has turned on by itself.

    Please make sure that you have activated the security setting. If not, anyone could turn on your iSocket. Your phone number can be accessed through various public databases or by a simple typing error. The problem of unexpected turning on has never been observed before. But we have had several cases of this issue due to the lack of security settings. Another possible reason why iSocket may change a status of relay is due to thermostat settings that switch a relay according to your settings. Please check that you have configured the thermostat according to the behaviour you expect from it.

  • 8. iSocket sends me continuous messages after the sensor has been activated

    Please check that you use the correct configuration for the "ALERT" option so that it matches your type of sensor. For example, door opening sensors, smoke, gas or water detectors change their state after the alarm event and remain in this state (means: door still opened, smoke or gas still in the room, or water still on the floor). Since they remain in this state you will receive endless alerts until you deactivate the Alarm Function. For sensors that change their status and stay in that status, the option "ALERT=SMSCHANGE" was designed. With this configuration you will be notified only once - when a logical value is changed.

  • 9. I cannot calibrate temperature with TEMPCAL settings, the difference is too big.

    If you have a unit manufactured before 2015 you are probably limited to the maximum value of 10 for TEMPCAL. In the iSocket HomeGuard later we have increased the ability to calibrate the value up to 20 points. Then later we introduced iSocket Environment Pro and iSocket 3G - both with external temperature sensor. All these models are now obsolete and since 2021 we have only one Plug-and-Go iSocket that can do precise remote temperature monitoring with Temperature Sensor Specific.

  • 10. What happens with the settings of the device when the power supply fails?

    All your personal settings remain on the device after a power failure. You do not require to configure anything special to save your settings after power outage. The command POWERSTATE is designed only to manage the state of the relay after power interruption. Please read the User Manual for your iSocket of the previous generation to understand how it works. This command has no interaction with other settings. Other settings, such as a list of phone numbers, password, thermostat settings and so on, remain the same no matter what happens with the power. They are not affected by power and the battery is not required to save these settings, because they are stored on non-volatile memory. Date and time settings are, however, affected by power interruption. To save the date and time iSocket has a built-in battery. This feature is available only on the models that support a scheduler, because date and time are a feature mainly required for the scheduler function to work.

  • 11. I receive a power restore message, but no power outage message. What to check?

    If you only receive power restore messages then the most probable reason is that the battery is not charged. If you continue to have problems, probably the battery is aged.