Q&A for How to Set a Plug Timer

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How do outlet timers work?

Ricardo Mitchell
Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie
Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience.

Ricardo Mitchell

Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie

Expert Answer

They have a built-in mechanism that lets you set the outlet to work for a predetermined period of time. They're a great way to save on utility bills and cut back on the amount of power you're using.

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Question

Are plug timers safe?

Ricardo Mitchell
Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie
Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience.

Ricardo Mitchell

Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie

Expert Answer

The safest way to set a plug timer up is to give it a dedicated circuit. Mechanical timers are also going to be much safer than those outlet timers as well. You also have to make sure that you don't use plug timers outside, since the weather and temperature shifts can mess with the wiring.

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Question

What are better, the built-in timers or the outlet timers?

Ricardo Mitchell
Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie
Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured Lead EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Certified construction company located in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, cabinetry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) violations removal, and DOB (Department of Buildings) violations removal. Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience.

Ricardo Mitchell

Electrician & Construction Professional, CN Coterie

Expert Answer

The mechanical timers with an individual circuit are hands-down the best options when it comes to safety and efficiently.

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Question

Can you use a timer on a lamp that has a three-way bulb?

Jsnlin0

Community Answer

Yes, you can. However, the timer won't be able to change the bulb's brightness, so you will have to use the knob on the light fixture in order to change the bulb's brightness.

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Question

When you set the timer then plug the lamp in do you turn the lamp on or off?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

The timer cannot control the switch on the lamp, so you need to turn it on.

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Question

Can I use my timer for turning on my coffee maker?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

Possibly. Some coffee makers start making coffee as soon as they receive power. In this case, a timer will work. Also, you can buy coffee makers that have built-in timers that you can use.

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