Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is tailored for United States and Puerto Rico for the new Plug-and-Go iSocket since 2021.

1. How do I create an inexpensive home alarm system with iSocket Smart Socket?

You may use iSocket together with a motion detector or door opening sensor. You only need to connect these sensors to the input of iSocket with a special connector (3.5mm phone jack). We offer different sensor KITs that are easy to use with iSocket. These sets have all you need for a quick and easy connection, and include a cable and connector. Usually we offer 50% discount when you buy sensor kits together with the main unit. Check our current offers for sensors on this page.
2. What is the difference between the "Smoke" and the "Smoke & Heat" sensors?

Both sensors can be used for fire alarm alerts. The "Smoke & Heat" detector gives more peace of mind, since it recognizes not only smoke, but also a high temperature (>57 Celsius or 135F). However this sensor is not suitable for use in premises where a high temperature is normal. If you install the "Smoke & Heat" sensor in premises of this nature, it may send false alarms. For such conditions the "Smoke" detector would be the best.
3. What gases can KIT4 detect? Does it detect methane gas? Is it equipped with a siren to sound an alarm in the event of a gas leak while I'm sleeping?

It can detect LPG and natural gases, and methane is one of these gases. It may not detect carbon monoxide! The KIT4 kit does not have a siren. When you connect it to the iSocket unit you will be notified by a call, text message or email n the event of a gas leak. With regard to alerting sleeping people we would recommend you check what the local law says about what equipment must be used in houses with gas.
4. iSocket KIT4 can detect an explosive gas (natural gas). But how much gas will leak into the air before the sensor sends an alert?

The sensor will trigger immediately it detects a gas. The alert is sent by iSocket immediately the sensor is triggered. Of course it depends on the mobile network availability. If there is a break in the mobile network, iSocket will wait for the network to resume and will send the alert later. You can configure the iSocket so that it calls when the alarm event occurs.

5. What distance should be between the gas leak sensor (KIT4) and the gas equipment, and where is the best place to position it?

The detector should be located in an area where you expect that gas leakage can begin to cause damage or injury, but not trigger a false alarm during the normal operation of the gas equipment (e.g gas stove). We cannot give an exact distance from the gas source. It should be tested on the place to find the best location. Usually it is quite near the gas source. Let's imagine that a gas leak has occurred, but the sensor is located 20 feet away from gas equipment and air circulation from, say, a window, blows the gas in the opposite direction from the sensor. In this instance you may never get an alert. We would recommend that you test on the place. The length of the cable is 16 feet (5 meters). You can extend it, but only affects the distance between the sensor and the iSocket unit, not between the sensor and the gas source. For most installations 16 feet (5 meters) should be sufficient.
6. Will the iSocket support dry contact devices ( NC or NO )?

You can use a dry contact (e.g. a common button / switch) to trigger the input for iSocket that has logical input. They can be either NO or NC contacts. This is actually the way we test the alarm functions on our software - we connect a common button to the input (dry contacts).
7. Can iSocket call me when a sensor is activated? I’m afraid an SMS could occasionally be ignored and I will miss an alert.

Yes, you can configure iSocket call to you in the event of an alarm. You will hear a voice message. You can configure several numbers to which iSocket will call. We offer several options for configuration of how to receive an alert.
8. What is the notification logic of alarm sensors?

For motion detectors, only one alarm per 60 seconds is indicated. This means that if the sensor detects activity more than once within one minute, you will only receive one alert. If you want to avoid being notified every minute when people are at a location, you should disable the alarm feature for that location within your account, just as you would disable the alarm on the physical alarm panel when you enter the premises. Notifying more often that every minute will not logically increase security. However, such an alarm logic is not suitable, for example, for door, smoke, gas or water sensors that change their logic state from "0" to "1" and remain in this state. Since they remain in this state, you will only receive alerts after they go into the opposite state, either the alert state or the default state.