KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous

KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous

KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2023-12-03 22:11:38 - last edited 2024-01-29 09:26:45
Tags: #Energy Monitoring #Failure
Model: KP115  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.0.2.0

Hello all,

 

I have been using nearly 15 TP-Link Kasa KP115 home plugs specifically for the energy monitoring facilities it offers to Home Assistant.

 

In the past six weeks I have had four devices fail on me and when I say fail they fall back into a permanent switching mode where the connected device is put into a permanent state of on/off switching every second. I would imagine permanently switching electronic devices on and off isn't exactly good for the health of the plugged int device, especially where batteries are involved.

 

For example I had one connected to a fridge and one morning I found the KP115 had failed over night at near 2am (Home Assistant records was able to find this) and had spent over five hours turning my fridge on and off.

 

A friend of mine also purchased a number of the same plugs and has seen the same issues where two of his devices have failed in the same fashion in recent weeks so I know this isn't just an isolated incident.

 

Depending on the devices connected to these plugs I would deem such a failure to be potentially hazardous as if it was to fail I would expect it to default to an off mode instead of a permanent switching mode.

 

As all KP115 devices were purchased in 2021 I would expect they are now no longer covered under any warranty replacement unless I'm told otherwise. If that is the case then I would offer a buyer beware notice against this product.

 

Thanks

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#1
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1 Accepted Solution
Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous-Solution
2024-01-29 09:26:39 - last edited 2024-01-29 09:26:45

Hello everyone!

 

If your Kasa plug, unfortunately, is experiencing the situation described in this post, please contact local TP-Link Support for assistance.

 

Before that, try to unplug the appliance and then factory reset the Kasa plug. Check if it helps. 

How to Factory Reset Kasa KP115: Press and hold (for 10 seconds) until the LED flashes amber rapidly.

 

Please be sure to provide the following information so that technical support can effectively follow up on your issue.
1. Model of the connected appliance and its rated power and current.
2. Device Mac address and SN number.

3. Time of usage

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#6
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2023-12-04 09:05:38

  @SunsetPlace 

 

Hello, the issue you reported seems quite unusual, and I haven’t come across similar feedback recently. To assist you better, I will escalate your case to a specialist who will help address and follow up on this matter. Kindly check your inbox later and confirm.

 

Do you know what's the hardware and firmware version of the problem plugs? How about your friends'?

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#2
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-01-27 21:38:06

  @Wayne-TP  Actually I have just logged exactly the same problem, and this happened about a week ago.  It should fail safe, luckily only a USB charger plug was connected.

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#3
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-01-28 23:29:10
There are a bunch of 1 star reviews on amazon which show the same issue as well as other posts here, also equiwatt has recommended kp115 be disconnected and no longer be used due to this issue.
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#4
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-01-28 23:47:41 - last edited 2024-01-28 23:49:24

I'm up to 6 failures now unfortunately and as pointed out the reviews are coming in thick and fast on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B08LZWBTR6

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#5
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous-Solution
2024-01-29 09:26:39 - last edited 2024-01-29 09:26:45

Hello everyone!

 

If your Kasa plug, unfortunately, is experiencing the situation described in this post, please contact local TP-Link Support for assistance.

 

Before that, try to unplug the appliance and then factory reset the Kasa plug. Check if it helps. 

How to Factory Reset Kasa KP115: Press and hold (for 10 seconds) until the LED flashes amber rapidly.

 

Please be sure to provide the following information so that technical support can effectively follow up on your issue.
1. Model of the connected appliance and its rated power and current.
2. Device Mac address and SN number.

3. Time of usage

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#6
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-01-29 12:32:24

Factory reset does not help with either of the major failures, I tried multiple times before returning.

 

The rapid on/off and the relay staying on both seem to be caused by hardware failures (capacitor/relay).

 

In the rapid on/off case the plug is completely unresponsive, the button does nothing.

 

In the case of the relay sticking, only giving the plug a whack on something releases it (until it happens again).

 

The rapid on/off failure for me happened with a plug that had never had the sticking relay so hitting it to release it is not a cause.

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#7
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-04-26 08:47:11

  @Adstheone 
I can attest to this, too - I personally have had 3 fail out of 6 purchased

I know a number of people who have this device - maybe a total of 30 plugs with at least 13 failures.

In the UK, conmumer law states that the product must "be of satisfactory quality".
With a 50% failure rate in under a year, this is clearly not the case

This product should be recalled and replaced or refunded.

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#8
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-05-25 17:22:28

  @SunsetPlace  I have had two of the KP115 plugs with the same fault. The problem is caused by a failed electrolytic capacitor which I replaced and the plugs are working properly again.

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#9
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Re:KP115 - Unsafe & Hazardous
2024-06-03 00:57:33 - last edited 2024-06-03 00:59:09

  @Wayne-TP I am pretty sure it is not as uncommon as you suggest.

I have two of these and as of today both of these have failed.

These KP115 devices are nonsense at best, signal strength as mentions was not as good as the HS models causing the devices to show offline quite regularly, as of today both now have been rendered to just dumb switches, can't reset, will not add back to your application, lights just flash and app times out.

All my much older ones still going without issues HS100 and HS110 I have 4 of these and these have NEVER skipped a beat. I am going to have to drag two of these back out of the cupboard.

 

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#10
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