Q: Frequently Asked Question About Energy Monitoring

Q: How is the Energy measured? A: There is a dedicated chip inside the devices to measure voltage, current and power. Q: What is the measurement error of the Energy Monitoring feature? A: It is around 3%-5%, which is allowed as it’s not a professional power measurement device. Q: What is the upper limit of the total power consumption that the HS110/HS300 can measure? A: The maximum power that can be measured is the maximum value that can be represented by a 32-bit integer. Note: The unit of this number is Wh (watt-hour). Q: When we open Energy, there is an option called Current Power. What does it mean? It refers to the instantaneous power consumed by the appliances connected to kasa plugs. The update frequency depends on how often kasa app gets the information from kasa plugs. Usually a few seconds once. Q: Does the power consumption value in Energy monitoring include the power consumed by HS110/HS300 itself? A: No. The power consumed by HS110/HS300 itself is within 2 watts. Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 1

How to verify if it’s the hardware issue of TP-Link smart home

Accepted Answer

Before troubleshooting, please refer to the QIG which came with the smart home device to know the status of the LEDs and how to reset the smart home device. Different devices have different LED status and reset methods.

Case 1. No LED lit up

1. Reset the smart home device.

2. For the smart plug, try using a different power sockets. For the smart switch, make sure the electric lines are connected correctly or try using a different power sockets. For the smart bulb, try connecting to a different lamp base.

If above tips are not working, it should be a hardware issue of the smart home device, it’s suggested to contact TP-Link support via e-mail to confirm if your device is still under the warranty.

Case 2. LED abnormal

1. If the LED has a status that not mentioned on the QIG, or the LED is solid red/amber, please refer to the instruction on the QIG to reset the smart home device.

2. If the LED is normal after reset, following the instruction on the Kasa app to configure the smart home device.

3. If the LED is still abnormal or solid red/amber, it should be a hardware issue of the smart home device, it’s suggested to contact TP-Link support via e-mail to confirm if your device is still under the warranty.

Case 3. Can’t turn on/off the connected client

1. Verify that the connected client is not a device with double switches, such as TV, air conditioning and fan.

2. Try using a different client

3. Try using a different power socket

4. Reset the smart home device, then try to turn on/off the connected client with the power button manually, and check if you can turn on/off the connected client.

If you still have the issue, it’s suggested to contact TP-Link support via e-mail to confirm if your device is still under the warranty.

Note: When contact TP-Link support, please provide the S/N of the smart home device and the picture of the invoice.

Question 2

Common question about HS300

Accepted Answer

Q: Can a HS300 be plugged into a power strip, another surge protector or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

A: No. The HS300 power strip must be directly plugged into a grounded outlet to work.

NOTE: UL Safety Standards, the National Electric Code and several other local codes prohibit power strips, surge protectors or UPS units to be daisy-chained. By doing so the user voids the Warranty and may also void any insurance coverage should there be an incident.

Q: Why do you need surge protection?

A: Surge protection is important because electricity isn’t a constant. Small surges/spikes could affect the performance and reliability or even destroy electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, microwave ovens, stereo systems, etc. Damage can occur over time with small surges or instantaneously from a major spike.

Q: What is a power surge/spike and how can a surge protector help?

A: Surge protectors add another layer of protection to connected equipment. Most damage done by overvoltage “power events” can be caused by one of two things. Either shorter duration transients (spikes) or longer duration high-voltage transients (surges) entering electronic devices via power lines. Surges and spikes can reach up to 6000 Volts. Typical microchips found in a computer, telephone, TV, stereo and other electronic equipment are sensitive to voltage irregularities.

Q: What is clamping voltage or VPR (voltage protection rating) on a surge protector?

A: VPR is the maximum voltage allowed to pass through the surge protector during a spike. It’s the voltage level which causes the MOV to “clamp” down on the spike to prevent most of the surge from passing through to connected equipment. MOV’s convert the electrical charge into heat and absorb it so it won’t damage your equipment. When measuring the VPR of a surge protector, the lower the number usually means better protection.

Q: What is the purpose of the circuit breaker on the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip?

A: The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip’s built-in, resettable circuit breaks stops the flow of electricity when the circuit becomes overloaded. In other words, when the amount of electricity required to power electronics plugged into the power strip is more than the unit can handle, a circuit breaker prevents the power strip from overheating and causing a potential fire. If the circuit breaker trips, just turn off and unplug all connected devices. Take a look at the electrical rating of all the connected devices. 15 Amps is the maximum load or else the circuit breaker will continue to trip.

Q: Can I replace the fuses in my surge protector?

A: You cannot replace fuses in your surge protector. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip. If your unit is not functioning as it should, contact our customer service.

Q: Can I use a surge protector with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet?

A: No. Incompatible electronics within the GFCI and the surge protector can cause either to trip. GFCI outlets are placed in potentially wet locations such as sinks, bathrooms and garages. Surge protectors should be used in wet or potentially wet locations.

Question 3

Frequently Asked Question About Energy Monitoring

Accepted Answer

Q: How is the Energy measured?

A: There is a dedicated chip inside the devices to measure voltage, current and power.

Q: What is the measurement error of the Energy Monitoring feature?

A: It is around 3%-5%, which is allowed as it’s not a professional power measurement device.

Q: What is the upper limit of the total power consumption that the HS110/HS300 can measure?

A: The maximum power that can be measured is the maximum value that can be represented by a 32-bit integer.

Note: The unit of this number is Wh (watt-hour).

Q: When we open Energy, there is an option called Current Power. What does it mean?

hs110

It refers to the instantaneous power consumed by the appliances connected to kasa plugs. The update frequency depends on how often kasa app gets the information from kasa plugs. Usually a few seconds once.

Q: Does the power consumption value in Energy monitoring include the power consumed by HS110/HS300 itself?

A: No. The power consumed by HS110/HS300 itself is within 2 watts.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 4

Can I replace the fuses in my surge protector?

Accepted Answer

You cannot replace fuses in your surge protector. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip. If your unit is not functioning as it should, contact our customer service.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the circuit breaker on the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip?

Accepted Answer

The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip’s built-in, resettable circuit breaks stops the flow of electricity when the circuit becomes overloaded. In other words, when the amount of electricity required to power electronics plugged into the power strip is more than the unit can handle, a circuit breaker prevents the power strip from overheating and causing a potential fire. If the circuit breaker trips, just turn off and unplug all connected devices. Take a look at the electrical rating of all the connected devices. 15 Amps is the maximum load or else the circuit breaker will continue to trip.

Question 6

What is clamping voltage or VPR (voltage protection rating) on a surge protector?

Accepted Answer

VPR is the maximum voltage allowed to pass through the surge protector during a spike. It’s the voltage level which causes the MOV to “clamp” down on the spike to prevent most of the surge from passing through to connected equipment. MOV’s convert the electrical charge into heat and absorb it so it won’t damage your equipment. When measuring the VPR of a surge protector, the lower the number usually means better protection.

Question 7

What is a power surge/spike and how can a surge protector help?

Accepted Answer

Surge protectors add another layer of protection to connected equipment. Most damage done by overvoltage “power events” can be caused by one of two things. Either shorter duration transients (spikes) or longer duration high-voltage transients (surges) entering electronic devices via power lines. Surges and spikes can reach up to 6000 Volts. Typical microchips found in a computer, telephone, TV, stereo and other electronic equipment are sensitive to voltage irregularities.

Question 8

Why do you need surge protection?

Accepted Answer

Surge protection is important because electricity isn’t a constant. Small surges/spikes could affect the performance and reliability or even destroy electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, microwave ovens, stereo systems, etc. Damage can occur over time with small surges or instantaneously from a major spike.

Question 9

Can a HS300 be plugged into a power strip, another surge protector or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

Accepted Answer

No. The HS300 power strip must be directly plugged into a grounded outlet to work.

NOTE: UL Safety Standards, the National Electric Code and several other local codes prohibit power strips, surge protectors or UPS units to be daisy-chained. By doing so the user voids the Warranty and may also void any insurance coverage should there be an incident.

Question 10

How to use the Grouping feature in Kasa app

Accepted Answer

Feature Description

A group is a collection of devices that you can tap a single action to control all devices belonging to that group. It is accessible on the home screen just like any other device.

You can group together smart plugs, smart switches, and smart bulbs.

If you grouped together a bunch of smart bulbs, you will see the color picker and all of the other bulb-related features you would expect if controlling a single smart bulb. This will help reduce the number of unique screens needed to support the feature.

If you have a group of six smart bulbs and drag your finger around the color picker, all of the 'color' bulbs change color simultaneously and smoothly. Other bulbs that are non-color bulbs will remain unchanged.

Groups will exist in a new "GROUPS" category in the device list and they will appear like a basic device with a name, icon, and on/off switch.

How Can I Add a Group?

1. From the Home screen, tap on the “Add” icon in the top right corner. Then select "Group" from the bottom slider menu.

2. Name your group and set a location for it. Select the smart devices you want to add to the group and tap SAVE.

What kinds of Devices can I add to a group?

All Kasa smart bulbs:

LB100, LB110, LB120, LB130, LB200, LB230, KL100, KL110, KL120, KL130

All Kasa smart plugs& switches:

HS100, HS103, HS105, HS107, HS110, HS200, HS210, HS220, HS300

How Can I Delete a Group?

Two ways you can delete a group.

Method 1:

From the device list, long-press an individual group until the delete symbol appears on the right. Tap the delete symbol.

Method 2:

1. Tap the gear icon on the Status Page to enter the “Group Settings” page.

2. Tap “REMOVE GROUP” to remove your group.

What is the "orange triangle" sometimes see next to the group name?

This is a warning that 1 or more devices belonging to the group are “offline” or unreachable.

You can still tap on/off or use any of the lighting control and it will control the devices that are still online or reachable by the app.

How Many Groups Can I Add?

50 groups in total.

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