Enhance your iSocket with sensitive water leak detection
The iSocket water sensor is ideal for your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, or any other water-sensitive zone. Simply plug the 3.5mm plug into the base of your iSocket hub, and rest the metallic sensor on the ground. Prevent long-term flood damage with early detection. Enjoy the tripped sensor's visual cues with the hub's green power icon. Then, pair the might of the online app with the device for cellular alerts in real-time. Inexpensive, easy to set up, and easy to use.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- FEATURES
- APP INTEGRATION
Sensor provides an early detection system to thwart catastrophe
Since water leaks could result in potentially catastrophic damage, early detection becomes vital for your in-home or out-of-home office, rental property, or perhaps a laundry/washroom. Beyond the initial prevention of leaks, one can employ a variety of detectors to attempt to catch a problem before it gets out of control. From power monitoring/control to temperature, motion, leak detection, etc., look to iSocket to fulfill many of your sensor/monitor needs.
UNBOXING
The iSocket Water Sensor arrived in a 4 inches square by 2 1/4 inches thick hanging style retail package. The front panel provided a lime green iSocket name/logo at the top left corner, while displaying a centrally located product name. I liked the lime green accent of the company name and the contrasting light/dark theme of the white font against the black background.
Beneath the product name/title, you will find a quaint product-defining sentence in a classy blue font: “For GSM Water Leak/Flood Detection System.” The open window along the bottom paired nicely with the surrounding cartoon/sketched water theme, the red-colored “NEW!” Icon along the bottom right corner, the cartoon display of the sensor, iSocket hub, SMS message, and a recipient stickman with a smartphone.
The top panel provided the large cardboard hanging tab, product name/logo, and company email (www.isocketworld.com). The right side panel displayed the company name/logo at the top, the product name along the top, the same blue sentence, and a red “NEW!” Icon at the bottom left, but also provided a product UPC barcode, and an iSocket seal of approval.
The opposite side panel displayed the company name/logo at the top left, “Tested and approved for use with iSocket devices” along the top of the panel, a “NEW!” Label along the bottom right, four different versions of the iSocket along the center, and a “save energy” globe icon at the left edge. Both side panels provided a lower lime green border along the bottom edge and were meant to be viewed from the side.
The rear instructional panel listed the logo/name, product name, and general information along the top. The middle segment provided a three-point user manual (1. Connect to iSocket, 2. Place the sensor on the floor where you wish to detect a water leak, setup number for alerts on your socket device), while the lower edge listed the product manufacturing labels, ISWSN01 model number, 12VDC/20mA power input and relay type: N/O.
TESTING
I opened the side panel, removed the 3.8-ounce water sensor, and unwrapped the 55 1/2 inches long white cable with 1 15/16 inches long 3.5mm plug. The 3.5mm plug had a 9/16 inches long metallic plug attached to the 7/8 inches long by 7/16 inches diameter body segment. The body segment is attached to the cable through a flexible 1/2 inches long by 7/16 inches diameter neck segment.
To test the design, I gripped the metal prong with one hand and the plug body in the other. I bent the 3.5mm prong forward/backward, side-to-side, and then tugged on the device. I then repeated the steps with the body/neck, then the neck/cable. I was pleased with the robust design and the cable’s quality. Finally, the cord was attached to and entered into the top of the water sensor.
The water sensor measured 1 13/16 inches diameter by 7/16 inches tall at the base, 1 1/2 inches diameter at the top, and measured a total of 1 1/4 inches tall. From a top-down perspective, the water sensor resembled a top hat. However, a bottom-up view resembled the turret/tower of a castle.
The central 1 1/4 inches diameter black epoxy surface contained two centralized metallic studs, and had 3/8 inches wide cutouts at the north, south, east, and west points of the 5/16 inches thick sensor. I plugged 3.5mm jack into the base of the iSocket hub and then compared the hub data sticker to the back panel of the cardboard packaging.
With the sensor on the floor, I navigated to iot.isocketworld.com and logged into the iSocket dashboard. If you have not had the chance to read my review of the iSocket hub, I would encourage you to review it at your convenience. I selected the grey box/line icon along the top right, selected “Monitorings,” and scrolled to the bottom to “Add new monitoring.” I chose “Water Leak Alarm” from the list, perused the instructional paragraph, ensured the relay type was set to N/O, added an Alias/ID, and then a description.
I selected “Go!” and was redirected back to the “Monitorings” panel. Through the web dashboard, you can observe the slow blinking green power indicator icon, which was a representation of the green power indicator on the main body. You can toggle the Alarm Function between off and on, and you can activate “Alarm Events” by sliding the toggle to “ON.” I tapped the “Help?” Icon and was pleased to find a thorough description of the Alarm Function, Power LED, and Alarm events.
If you plug the 3.5mm plug into the bottom of the socket and set the sensor into a small amount of water, the only change will be a faster blinking green button on the device. The “Help?” Icon detailed the feature and noted that the alarm events indicator was turned off. Once I turned the feature back “ON,” I placed the sensor into a small amount of water and immediately received a flood Office-Alarm alert to both the web application, and to my iPhone 13 Pro Max banner notifications. I removed the sensor from the water and received a green-ok notice through the App and a banner notification from iSocket: Alarm Status OK.
SUMMARY
I was pleased with the sensitivity and with the speed of the alarm. Additionally, I liked that the iSocket provided a visual cue as to the sensor status, without an annoying/obtrusive audible alert. The sensor installation ended up being a simple plug-and-play setup, while the in-app sensor setup proved to be quite intuitive.
I felt the included cable length was satisfactory and liked the strong connection points between the 3.5mm plug and the top-hat-shaped metallic sensor. Even though the $84 price tag may seem a bit high at first, it will pale in comparison to the hundreds to thousands of dollars saved through early detection/warning.
Additionally, you can save 50% off by bundling it with the iSocket ($42) kit. I believe the trade-off of $42 for the sensor is well worth the potential savings. As an add-on feature, you can opt to add the alarm events log to your monthly subscription (1000 events/3-day history for $0.59/month, 3000/30 for $0.69/month, or 10000/90 for $0.99/month).
For more information, visit isocketworld.com, Facebook, or Twitter.