Review: Ting Sensor – Your Smart Home’s Guardian Against Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are one of the hidden dangers in modern homes, often caused by faults that go undetected—until it’s too late. The Ting Sensor, developed by Whisker Labs, aims to change that. It’s a smart plug with a twist: it doesn’t control devices, but monitors your home’s electrical system for early warning signs of trouble.

With a focus on prevention, Ting offers a proactive approach to home safety. Here’s how it works and whether it’s worth the investment.

What Is the Ting Sensor?

At first glance, Ting looks like a simple smart plug. But it’s actually a sophisticated sensor that plugs into any standard AC outlet. Once connected, it continuously monitors your home’s electrical network, scanning for irregularities that could indicate dangerous arcing faults—often precursors to electrical fires.

Key Features

• Simple Setup
  Plug it in, pair it with the Ting app via Bluetooth, and connect it to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. That’s it.
• High-Speed Monitoring
  Ting performs over 30 million electrical measurements per second, using advanced voltage analysis to detect subtle signs of trouble.
• Real-Time Alerts
  When a potential issue is found, you’ll get a notification through the app. There are no lights or sounds on the device itself—everything happens digitally.
• Expert Support
  If Ting detects a serious issue, a support team will contact you directly. They’ll help identify the problem and coordinate repairs with a licensed electrician. The first $1,000 in labour costs is covered under the subscription.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely easy to install and use
• Detects faults before they become dangerous
• Includes support and repair coordination
• Monitoring continues 24/7 for peace of mind

Cons:

• Requires a $49/year subscription after the first year
• No built-in audio or visual alerts
• Larger homes with multiple panels may need more than one unit—and subscription

Pricing and Subscription

The Ting Sensor costs $99 upfront. After the first year, a $49 annual subscription keeps the monitoring, alerts, and support services active.

Before buying, it’s worth checking with your home insurance provider. Some insurers, including State Farm and Nationwide, offer the Ting Sensor as part of their coverage—potentially saving you the full cost.

Final Thoughts

The Ting Sensor acts like a smoke detector for your wiring—quietly watching for signs of danger and alerting you before disaster strikes. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t come with bells and whistles. But for homeowners serious about safety, it offers real peace of mind.

Just keep in mind the ongoing subscription and potential need for multiple units in larger properties.

Where to Buy

You can purchase the Ting Sensor directly from Ting’s official website, or check with your insurance company to see if it’s included in your policy.

For a small device, Ting could help prevent a very big problem.

Original article: PC World