- Reaction score
- 13,478
This replaces six pieces of metal with a bunch of electronics that have distinctly finite lifespan and less than 100% efficiency, and in the form described, 100W limit i.e. only 3% of the power handling capacity of a 13A plug. It's basically a SMPSU with a split transformer, so expect to change them as often as you change LED drivers. The toothbrush charger gets away with it because of its tiny power transfer requirement, <1W.
IMHO the best way to make a safer plug is to make a safer plug, not to replace it with a radio transmitter. I designed one when I was 16, even talked about it on TV. It had the load indicator, switch interlock, auto-adjusting OCPD in the socket that sensed the load rating from the plug and couldn't exceed the flex rating, contacts that wouldn't hurt your foot if you trod on the plug, rewirable plugs that could safely be fitted by non-technical users, etc. Back then it was too expensive to produce, but wouldn't have been more expensive than this setup. And it was good for 20A.
IMHO the best way to make a safer plug is to make a safer plug, not to replace it with a radio transmitter. I designed one when I was 16, even talked about it on TV. It had the load indicator, switch interlock, auto-adjusting OCPD in the socket that sensed the load rating from the plug and couldn't exceed the flex rating, contacts that wouldn't hurt your foot if you trod on the plug, rewirable plugs that could safely be fitted by non-technical users, etc. Back then it was too expensive to produce, but wouldn't have been more expensive than this setup. And it was good for 20A.