Ideas Wanted - Device to Control Exterior Outlet

I have an exterior outlet installed in my side yard. I would like to control this outlet using a smart device. The easiest way would be use of a smart outlet. Unfortunately none of the UL/CSA devices that I’ve reviewed are rated for exterior use. I thought off installing a Shelly 1 in the receptacle box. Unfortunately I see no way to manually operate the device. It’s not possible to install a switch at the main panel as the outlet is on the same circuit as a couple of devices that I don’t wish to control.

What thoughts do you have that may resolve this situation?

What do you mean by “manually operate”? Shelly 1 has a switch input.

I would think something like this would work with your exterior box & cover. Wireless range would likely be reduced with a metal electrical box though.

https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-Outlet-Wall-TP-Link/dp/B07N3CK3MM

A quick search turned up this article.

I realize it does and pondered how to connect a switch when there’s no room in the outlet box to add such. I can’t add a second box as the existing box is embedded in brick - unable to gang a second one to the existing one.

This is what I was looking at - it’s not rated for exterior use. Likely the electronics would fail at colder temps.

I was hoping to avoid a smart extension cord - but may have to resort to that!

In North America, receptacles in boxes with exterior rated wall plates are not usually rated as external use. They are just normal, usually ground fault protected, receptacles.

Ground fault protection exists in the circuit, the outlet in question behind a GFI. Do you think the TP-Link outlet (electronics) will work?

I would expect it to work. Depending on the electrical box in the wall, RF range might be impacted.

It would be very unlikely for cold temperatures to affect the outlet.

Temperatures aren’t typically the problem (unless you live above the arctic circle…but even then it’s not likely either). It’s water infiltration.

If you have an exterior rated electrical enclosure and the outlet is GFCI protected the outlet will be fine. But make sure you get an “in-use” rated enclosure if you plan on leaving anything plugged into it all the time. Some enclosures are just rated for exterior use if nothing is plugged in.

I have a zwave outlet in an exterior rated enclosure that powers my outdoor security camera and I’ve been using it for two years without any issues even in northern midwest winter temperatures.

This is good to hear. The enclosure on my outlet is “in use rated” so I’ve gone ahead and ordered a TPLink outlet.

Thanks for the feedback.

There’s a wifi AP in the yard near the outlet thus signal should be an issue. I’ll find out soon as I’ve ordered a TPLink outlet to test out.

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