I have 3 CBI Astute controllers which I use for time switching on the pool pump, a geyser and security lights, 90% of the time they are solid and do what they are supposed to, switch on and off according to daily set timers.
I have a circuit on which I don’t really need any timers, but I want to monitor the power on it and from time to time also remotely switch it off and on again.
My 1.1 kW pressure pump and domestic quarters is on this cercuit. The pressure pump works all day every day switching on as and when it needs to and the domestic quarters have a fridge, TV, radio, lights, phone chargers probably, so not such a big draw.
My question isn’t whether the Astute Controller will be able to handle the current, 10A inductive is plenty for that circuit, my question is rather if the Astute controller is the best tool for the job, a circuit which will be left switched on 99% of the time.
Nothing in its specs suggest that it wasn’t designed to be left permanently switched on, as said I actually just want power monitoring, but it will be nice to be able to remotely switch it when needed which probably happens a hand full of times per month.
I have seen the topic the other day about the CBI Astute no longer being suitable for use in Home Assistant, but to be honest I’m so far from bringing the few IOT devices I have around the house together in a platform like HA, that I don’t really worry about it for now.
Just my uninformed opinion, but I have read that the specs on the CBI (specifically for use on a geyser) is actually much better than a Sonoff (which was/is the more known brand name for these applications).
Current rating is much higher apparently.
Restive current - 30A
Inductive current - 10A (as you pointed out)
Mine has been running for close to 4 years now for 3 times a day which equates to about 5-6 hours. Granted, its not continuous.
Sorry, not really answering your question. In my layman’s opinion, if the current rating is over specced for its application, I believe it should last a lifetime.
I’m thinking …
Make a geyser that lasts 20-30 years, and it is too expensive and not enough sales to sustain it, the industry around it?
Or make a geyser last more or less 5 years, it is more affordable, and support a whole industry?
Insurers mainly pay for this “industry” if one is insured.
Another side thought, going back to what geysers costs:
Wife bought lights from an big lighting place. Wife was in a huff, irritated, and just hauled her card out.
Then she told me what she paid, it became the “The Day I Lost It” … (Netflix material I tell ya)
She then Google the EXACT same lights she bought and got the EXACT same lights elsewhere, multiple places, for close to 40% cheaper.
So that is me wondering, general geysers, not many suppliers, funny that they cost more or less the same.
I’d be willing to bet every single one of those have their original sacrificial elements (completely worn away) still installed.
The idea is that you use steel instead of copper (which is a lot cheaper, and cleaner to recycle… and 100% recyclable just like copper). You then have a sacrificial element that takes the brunt of the oxidation. Nobody replaces this thing. And everyone seems to be okay with just paying for a new one every 5 years… even the insurance companies.
I mean, you’d kinda expect the insurance company to require that you maintain the thing…
Don’t mention that to them though. Even though I’m here telling you about this, I’m also guilty. Who has time for that kind of thing… and why worry, if the insurance will give you a new one anyway.
