Kasa Smart Plug KP200, In-Wall Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control, ETL Certified , White, 1 Pack

TP-Link is a Quality Name in the Internet of Things Community
I have over 50 smart WiFi devices connected to a Google Mesh home network. The 20+ TP-Link smart devices in the network perform without a technical hitch and are reliable. The Kasa/TP-Link (KP200) WiFi two-outlet, in-wall receptacle is no exception. IF it is installed properly (see below), the KP200 works well and is easy to install (neutral white wire required!!).WARNING FOR AMATEUR ELECTRICIANS (like me):I am NOT an electrician, however, I’ve personally replaced most of the wall switches and receptacles in my home without a single issue. I have also replaced ceiling fans, light fixtures and bathroom exhaust fans — also without any issues. So, I was very confident installing he KP200 would be another cakewalk. However, this time I got in a little over my head installing the KP200, and it required an EXPENSIVE visit by a licensed electrician to make things right again.I learned, here in Arizona (and probably other states too), the safety code requires ANY WALL RECEPTACLE (outlet) within 15 feet of running water (such as kitchen sink or bathroom sink/tub/shower) must be a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This is also sometimes called a “GFI outlet.”My “open concept” kitchen area has eight wall receptacles (all with NO “GFCI” markings or the usual GFI test/reset buttons); therefore, I did not know they were GFCI. About 14 feet from my kitchen sink is a “pantry” — which is far enough away from the kitchen sink not to worry about water splashing. The pantry has two above-counter wall receptacles (which I later learned are UNMARKED GFCI receptacles).So, when I replaced one of the UNMARKED GFCI outlets with the KP200, everything went to hell in a handbasket. The KP200 would not work properly, AND the other seven “kitchen” outlets were inoperable as well. In short (pun intended), the electrician said the KP200 is NOT a GFCI unit, and replacing the GFCI with the KP200 — not only violated the state’s electrical code, but it was also created a substantial safety hazard by breaking the chain of protection provided by the eight outlets connected to the unmarked GFCI circuit. (Once I went to the outside electrical panel, it was visually obvious some of the breakers were GFCI, but inside the home, nothing indicates their GFCI status).Although the electrician has an excellent reputation for quality work, he is “VERY OLD SCHOOL.” As such, there are TWO THINGS he absolutely HATES:(1) ALL home automation smart devices (don’t even mention the word – “Alexa” to him);(2) ANY “weekend-warrior” homeowner who is not a licensed electrician and does his own electrical work.That said, I not only received a very stern verbal admonishment regarding electrical safety, I also received an invoice for $150. (I think some of the $150 was punitive.)Expensive lesson learn. So, BEFORE you swap-out your old electrical outlet for a TP-LINK KP200, be CERTAIN it is NOT an UNMARKED CFCI receptacle.By the way, the next day, I installed the KP200 in a bedroom, and it works as expected! It is an excellent and reliable name-brand product!ONE LAST CAVEAT: I only purchase smart devices made by large, well-established technology companies, such as TP-Link. Why? Most “Internet of Things” (IOT) smart devices COMMUNICATE to the world outside your home in order to function. That means IOT devices are potentially the WEAKEST LINK in your home Internet/network security.In other words, you need to purchase IOT devices from companies that have the financial resources and technical expertise to update BOTH the firmware and software of their products — as the product ages. This updating helps defend your home network against hackers who exploit “cheap,” no-name IOT device to gain access to the rest of your home network, computers, smartphones, tablets, and etc.I hope this helps.

For parental screen time control
My kid has found just about every workaround to steal screen time. This Kasa fit perfectly into the new locking outdoor outlet cover. This prevents him from removing the plug and just plugging in elsewhere.INSTALL: unusual situationMy outlet was set for a 3way, meaning it’s an outlet that turns off and on with a wall switch. I capped the red (connects to switch) and then clamped both white under the neutral screw and both black to the live screw, ground under ground screw. So far this works and the switch is obsolete.INSTALL: normalOther than that, install was easy. I am a woman and quite handy, this isn’t my first electrical project but it’s easy if your outlet has the correct wires and you can follow the instructions. You have to power off the outlet, which in my case is the same power as the wifi, so I had to plug my wifi into another live outlet.APP:So far the app works well. Love the scheduling features.App Kid proofing:I have an iPhone, so I used shortcuts to add a new shortcut to the Kasa app and named it “spectrum outlet”, changed the icon, then hid my real kasa app in a folder. I changed my profile pic to spectrum and my username to spectrum. I’ve installed it while my teen was at school. I will be telling him it’s a new feature from spectrum. Hoping to avoid him figuring out what is controlling his outlet, or he might be able to get Alexa to connect and bypass the kasa app timers/controls entirely. There are no labels on the outlet for him to identify it. Fingers crossed.If your kid uses an Ethernet cable to game online, wifi parental controls wont work. Especially if they use a VPN app and it shows up as a new device with each connection. You can get an Ethernet kill switch, but I have yet to find one with a timer, or remote capability. This means my kid will just flip the switch and feign innocence. It also makes my job of remembering when and how and how long, so much harder. Did my husband allow this? Did I? Working opposite schedules allows our kid lots of opportunity to confuse and deny.Now with the push of a button on my phone, I can power his PC outlet on or off. I can also have multiple schedules, multiple timeframes in a day, different than the weekend, breaks in between. Total control.I wish it didn’t have to be this way. My other two kids are not like this. This guy is leveling up my parenting skills and I need a nap.UPDATE:A year and a half later and this system still works like a charm. I finally won.

Reliable, simple to install & easily connects to local network. Voice activated with Alexa. The mobile app is so well designed with easy schedule set up and random on/off when away. I have installed several of these devices over the last year and they have performed flawlessly. Great value for the price point.

I have my whole house automated with kasa switches and plugs This receptacle probably works well inside the house but DONT put it outside like I did It was in a covered box so mot to get any rain or snow BUT when temperatures dipped below -5 celcius things took a turn for the worst I cannot blame kasa because this receptacle is rated to work doen to 0 Fahrenheit I did not read specs till after purchasing and installing it? No biggy! I purchased the OUTDOOR receptacle supposedly designed for colder weather? I think -4 Fahrenheit? Which is -20 celcius? I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada and we get down to -35 celcius sometimes so we ll see if this unit can handle the cold By the way this is going to be used for Christmas lights Kasa is a great company but always remember Any of their products is as good as your wi fi strenght You gotta have good wifi . I will keep you posted with the cold situation-30 is coming soon brrrrr