PowerEgg3

A small box that allows for dial-up control of up to four power receptacles, PowerEgg3 is useful for retail stores or kiosks where electronic devices may need occasional rebooting.

Remote Power Control Over Telephone

The PowerEgg3 can be rack- or wall-mounted. Simple keyboard commands control four receptacles. Password protected with up to four user names. (Picture shows prototype unit.)

Remotely Restart Four Devices

A standard dial-up voice telephone line can be used to remotely power-off and power-on devices. Using a PC with almost any serial data client software such as HyperTerminal (tm), an remote user can individually control up to four receptacles.

This device is useful for retail stores or kiosks where electronic devices need occasional rebooting from a remote location. The total current and individual consumed by the four receptacles is reported along with the voltage. The unit can be ordered with 1,2,3 or 4 receptacles.

Each Power Controller and each receptacle can be give a friendly name. Each Controller is factory assigned a unique 64 bit address at time of manufacture.

Two levels of password protection are provided: four users and an administrator. The user password permits power cycling and the administrator can assign privileges to each user. Each user can be assigned rights to control any given set of receptacles, or all receptacles.

Specifications

Voltage range: 100-280 vac, 50-60 Hz
Dimensions: 8.5" W x 1.75" H x 6" D
Case: Steel, 18 ga., black
Current: 15 amps total, 10 amps per receptacle
Plug: IEC C13
Receptacles: IEC C14, Four, maximum
Power used: 2 watts
Modem jack: RJ-11
Signalling protocols: V22bis 1200 baud, V22 1200 baud, Bell 212A 1200 baud
Approvals: Relays UL listed
Indicator Lamps: Power on (green), data connect (green)
Power cycling: Relays go to On upon power On
Current measurement: 0-15 amps, RMS
Voltage measurement: 0 - 300 volts
Voltage values: Peak (last 5 seconds), Low (last 5 seconds), Present value
Current (amps) values: Peak (last 5 seconds), Low (last 5 seconds), Present value

Using simple text commands each receptacle can be turned on and off. The total current consumption and voltage can also be determined.

Passwords

Passwords: Four Users, One Administrator, 10 characters each password
User privileges: individual receptacle control power
Admin privileges: set passwords, set friendly names, set site name

Control and Administration Functions

Help Menu:

'H' Help menu
'X' Hang up modem

Power Measurement:

'S' Power status
'W' Max power
'V' Voltage
'C' Current
'A' Max current
'E' Min/Max voltage

Power Control:

'Nn' Power/Outlet# ON
'Fn' Power/Outlet# OFF
'Rn' Reset/Outlet (OFF-ON)

Admin:

'T' Site name
'Mn' Outlet name/Outlet#
'D' Set admin password
'Kn' Set users outlet access
'In' Set idle timeout (1-5 min)
'Yn' Set number of rings (1-9)
'L' Show log
'Pn' Set protocol (changes on next call):

  • Bell 212A (1200)
  • V.22 (1200)
  • V.22bis (2400)

Controls:

Power switch
Reset to default push button

Model Number:

PowerEgg3

The PowerEgg3 front panel contains the RJ-11 telephone line jack, the power and line-connected indicator lamps and a reset push-button. If the button is held down for 15 seconds, the default settings are restored.

Installation

  1. Plug in all devices.
  2. Plug in power.
  3. Check to see if Power Indicator is green (on).
  4. All devices should power on.
  5. Run HyperTeminal or other serial modem client communications.
  6. Type “atdt 512-555-1234” using the telephone number of the remote site.
  7. Type “F1” to see if receptacle #1 turns off. If so, type “N1” to turn the receptacle back on.
  8. Type “H” for list of commands and options.

Wiring is simple; connect the power and a telephone line and the PowerEgg3 is ready for operation.