I know this question has been asked before - however I am wondering if there is anything new on the market.
I live in a rental apartment - so I can not modify the wiring, however the AC unit is connected via a NEMA 6-20 plug/socket combination.
I already have a Broadlink RM 3 to send the IR signal to the AC - however sometimes things get out of sync. There is no flap/door on the AC that I can attach a sensor to, so I am looking for a smart plug that I can put in-between the AC and the wall socket.
The wall receptacle has a cross and a flat so it can take either a 6-15 or a 6-20, but the AC plug has one vertical and one horizontal pin (6-20).
Ideally I would like a plug with both current monitoring and an on/off function, however I can automate it either way - if I only have one of those functions.
TIA
Correction from earlier: I just doubled checked and the AC is rated at:
The solution is going to be different from what you’re hoping for. I’m not aware of a 240V 20+A device that has a female 6-20 on one side and a male 6-20 on the other.
You can buy a smart switch (like this one from Aeotec) that needs to be hard-wired. So then you would have to go to your hardware store and get a 6-20 whip (like an appliance cord) for the male side, and buy a 6-20 receptacle and enclosure for the female side.
Alternatively, you could forgo the disconnect capability, and just add current (and maybe voltage to get power) monitoring with a current clamp. Something like a Shelly PM would be able to monitor the current and voltage, while also being powered by the same 240V. You need to split out one of the 240V conductors to pass it through the current clamp. Finding a way to make all the connections without making a fire or electrocution hazard would be the task you need to figure out.
Edit: For the Aeotec option, just buy a 6-20 extension cord and cut it in half. Like this one. That is the cleanest and easiest option.