lilyoyo1 Posted May 27, 2020 Posted May 27, 2020 Im glad I dont use plug in devices. Even more reason to simply replace the outlet with a smart outlet for long term use. While I like how the new plug in devices look, the plastic used has always worried me from the first time I beta tested one. Glad I didnt invest in them.
Teken Posted May 27, 2020 Author Posted May 27, 2020 57 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: Im glad I dont use plug in devices. Even more reason to simply replace the outlet with a smart outlet for long term use. While I like how the new plug in devices look, the plastic used has always worried me from the first time I beta tested one. Glad I didnt invest in them. Oh great now he tells me (Five Years Later) >>>
larryllix Posted May 27, 2020 Posted May 27, 2020 I have had box receptacles fall apart inside also. It can happen to any plastic part and even metal welds can fail apart in electrical components.
lilyoyo1 Posted May 27, 2020 Posted May 27, 2020 2 hours ago, Teken said: Oh great now he tells me (Five Years Later) >>> ??5 years ago it was just a small concern....In my defense, I did say always go embedded. lol
lilyoyo1 Posted May 27, 2020 Posted May 27, 2020 2 hours ago, larryllix said: I have had box receptacles fall apart inside also. It can happen to any plastic part and even metal welds can fail apart in electrical components. Anything can break. However; from the amount of posts on here and other forums about the plug in (vs the receptacle) its an issue vs a one off thing.
larryllix Posted May 27, 2020 Posted May 27, 2020 20 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said: Anything can break. However; from the amount of posts on here and other forums about the plug in (vs the receptacle) its an issue vs a one off thing. I have never had a plug-in break yet in 6.5 years. However, I have had cheap 12v PSU pins pull out and be left inside a receptacle. Same subject matter but just cheaper construction materials. My Insteon plug-ins must have been made before the Chinese started using the better metals to make vaccines for the US.
MustangChris04 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 On 5/20/2020 at 6:59 AM, Teken said: What did Smarthome have to say?!? Can you also provide a few photos of the units? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk If I remember correctly they blamed me for physically damaging them and that this isn't covered under warranty as it's not a defect. I believe they also said I didn't remove it properly but couldn't advise me how to remove it properly other than just pulling out. They then tried to blame the outlet that it was plugged into and I quickly shut that down as it was in an Insteon outlet I plugged it into near the PLM so I could link it. The only pictures I have are in the original post on first page and last page. I don't have Insteon anymore but may have a couple of these plug-in modules somewhere in a drawer. Will try and look for them and see if plugging them in/out will cause it to break.
Mustang65 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 Last week I contacted Intertek, that certified (3195911) the destroyed module and asked them if they do a followup on their certification on products they certify. Well, she summed it up with "We certify the product that we receive from the company (problem with that as they can submit a different case for the test) and it is based on the initial testing". She said that one of their engineers would give me a call. Still waiting. Maybe I should send it to the responsible governmental department that looks into shabby things like this.
Brian H Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 I too was thinking about the government consumer department. One of mine cracked in the box and I don't remember if I even plugged it in. Maybe just to see if it worked. The others also not in service now also cracked in their plasitc bags as they where refurbished 30 day ones and used for a short time. I think part of the problem. Is they used flat head screws to hold the case together. The back of the case is countersunk and the screws maybe cracking the back cover. One I disassembled also seemed to have a insulator that was slightly too thick and put pressure on the back cover when screwed together. The other type modules. Like dimmer, siren, range extender modules. That use a similar case design. All use pan head screws and the back cover is flat and less likely the case will crack.
Mustang65 Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Brian H said: I too was thinking about the government consumer department............... I know that this is a MAJOR safety issue, but let's say that the governmental department decides to stop the sale of these modules or maybe all the modules. SmartHome will probably decide to discontinue production of modules. They are probably looking for some excuse and this would be a good one. Not that I care, but I am sure there are others that will. Well, that would be a good reason to go with some other products. Wait, maybe UDI could then purchase/license the patents for the modules... then the switches.... outlets....
Brian H Posted June 3, 2020 Posted June 3, 2020 You are probably right. If the Consumer Protection Agency forced a safety recall and replace with updated modules. Who knows if they would disappear. They are silent on the new PLM Interface in the FCC Database and maybe what other new modules are in the pipeline. That may replace it. License the technology didn't happen when the promised programmed chips for the ISY PLM fell through. After envelopment was up to prototype tests. If my memory is correct. Unless the Richmond Capital Partners changed thing. I doubt it can happen.
apostolakisl Posted June 4, 2020 Posted June 4, 2020 I have a bunch of lamplinc and appliance link modules of this design. I have never had one crack or actually fail in any way. I had a bunch of the older design ones which all failed from an undersized component and were actually replaced on a safety recall. I opened a number of those units up to find the same component had burned up or was at least heading that way. Back to the new design. The vast majority of mine got plugged in when I first bought them and haven't been touched since. However, I have about 6 or so that I use for Christmas lights so they get handled at least twice per year. Those guys are probably 4 or 5 years old now and none have experienced any signs of failure. Physical or electrical. I will probably regret posting this, but, whatever.
mwester Posted June 4, 2020 Posted June 4, 2020 That experience actually supports the hypothesis that the modules' were changed in production. It's not uncommon for things to get manufacturing changes applied without getting re-certified -- for example, just switching plastic suppliers wouldn't be likely to require resubmission of the device, as long as the specs for the plastic itself meet the original plastic specs. What actually ended up in the hoppers of those plastic forming machines in China, well, that's a whole 'nuther thing -- there are counterfeit chips, capacitors, and every other type of component all over China, why should there not be counterfeit, or at least mis-labeled plastic pellets as well?
apostolakisl Posted June 5, 2020 Posted June 5, 2020 On 6/4/2020 at 12:39 PM, mwester said: That experience actually supports the hypothesis that the modules' were changed in production. It's not uncommon for things to get manufacturing changes applied without getting re-certified -- for example, just switching plastic suppliers wouldn't be likely to require resubmission of the device, as long as the specs for the plastic itself meet the original plastic specs. What actually ended up in the hoppers of those plastic forming machines in China, well, that's a whole 'nuther thing -- there are counterfeit chips, capacitors, and every other type of component all over China, why should there not be counterfeit, or at least mis-labeled plastic pellets as well? Very good chance you are correct. Even if it were the same supplier, they could easily try to sneak in some lower quality pellets.
MrBill Posted June 5, 2020 Posted June 5, 2020 6 minutes ago, apostolakisl said: some lower quality pellets. My wife just pointed out to me that some of our white paddles on 2477D and 2477S are yellowing.... I hadn't noticed but she's correct. I have a handful of white paddles in a box and they are definitely whiter and match the plate like it did when the switches were first installed.
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