Wireless remote-controlled socket WS101: setup and pairing with the controller
Remotely Controlled Socket WS101: Complete Guide to Setup and Pairing with a Remote
The socket WS101 from Elektrobocku is one of those products that at first glance looks trivial – you plug it into the wall, plug in the appliance, and that's it. From experience, I know that at least a third of people who buy the WS101 get stuck during pairing with the remote and later seek help. Either the pairing doesn't work, or the socket pairs with the wrong channel, or after a power outage the behavior changes and they have to start all over again. This article is an attempt to make this a clear and permanent matter: I will explain how the WS101 works internally, how the entire pairing process takes place, what to do if something doesn't work, and I will also show a few real-life scenarios from practice where the WS101 proved to be a very practical solution.
What is WS101 and what can you expect from it
WS101 is a remotely controlled socket operating at a frequency of 433.92 MHz. It is a classic one-way wireless system – the remote sends a signal, the socket receives it and executes the command (turns on or off). There is no feedback from the socket back to the remote, which is important to keep in mind: the remote does not know the current state of the socket, it just sends a command.
The maximum allowable power of the connected appliance is 3,500 W at resistive load (pure heating appliances, light bulbs), at inductive load (motors, transformers) the power should be reduced to safe 1,000–1,500 W. The contact relay inside the socket has a rated current of 16 A, which corresponds to the mentioned 3,500 W at 230 V. If you are interested in maximum power in more detail, I also recommend our article "What maximum power can a timer switch or Elektrobock socket handle?" in this Knowledge Center.
WS101 is sold either separately (only the socket without a remote) or in a set together with a small handheld remote. The remote usually has 1 to 4 buttons and allows you to control 1 to 4 sockets independently. The system is open – one socket can be paired with multiple remotes, and one remote can control multiple sockets.
How the coding system works and why pairing is necessary
WS101 does not use a fixed code set by the manufacturer (as with older types of remote controls from the 90s). It uses so-called learning mode. Each remote has a unique identification code assigned at the factory, which is stored in its memory. When you switch the socket to learning mode, it starts listening for commands. The first signal it receives is stored in memory and from that moment on it only responds to commands with the same code and from the same channel (the number of the remote's button).
This solution has one clear advantage: your neighbor's remote will never turn on your socket (too many coincidences would have to happen for the codes to match). And one disadvantage: if you want to connect a new remote or change the assignment, you have to know what you're doing.
WS101 can store the codes of multiple remotes at once – each new learning adds another code to memory, the old one is not deleted. The memory has capacity for several dozen codes (in practice, more than enough for a typical household). If you want to "unlearn" the socket from all remotes and start from scratch, you have to perform a factory reset, which I talk about later.
First installation of WS101: what to check before pairing
Before you start any setup, check a few things:
- Network voltage: WS101 is designed for a 230 V / 50 Hz network. Slovakia and all of Central Europe have this voltage, so it is usually not a problem. However, in older buildings with unstable voltage, the relay inside may "flicker" – and this is not a symptom of a socket failure, but a problem with the wiring.
- Grounding: WS101 has a grounding pin. The socket in the wall into which you plug it must be 3-pole (phase, neutral, ground). In older houses without grounding, WS101 will work, but it is not safe and for most high-power appliances it is also not acceptable.
- Batteries in the remote: Usually 12 V (type A23/LR23A) or 2× AA depending on the remote type. New remotes usually have batteries included, but sometimes they are already discharged (long storage). If the remote does not work during pairing and you think the problem is in the socket – check the batteries first.
- Free channel: If you have a remote with 4 buttons and want to connect another socket, decide in advance which button (channel) will control which socket. It helps to make a simple table.
Step-by-step pairing process
This is the most important part of the whole article. I will describe the procedure exactly as I do it in practice, with comments on what can go wrong and why.
Step 1: Plugging the socket into the power supply
Plug the WS101 into a standard wall socket. Immediately after plugging it in, the LED indicator on the socket should briefly flash or light up (depending on the firmware version). If nothing happens and the socket does not respond, check the circuit breaker for the corresponding circuit in the distribution board. Sometimes, in older houses, the socket is connected via a circuit with a circuit manager that has been turned off.
Step 2: Activating the learning mode
On the side or the back of the WS101, you will find a small button labeled as "LEARN" or with a wave/antenna pictogram. This button is recessed (set into the body of the socket), so you can only press it with a pencil, a matchstick, or a similar object. This is intentional by the manufacturer – to prevent accidental pressing.
Press and hold the LEARN button for 2–3 seconds until the LED on the socket starts to blink. This state indicates that the socket is in learning mode and is waiting for a signal from the remote control. The learning mode usually lasts 30 seconds – if no signal is received during this time, the socket will return to normal mode.
Step 3: Sending the signal from the remote control
While the LED is blinking (learning mode active), press the button on the remote control that you want to assign to this socket. A single short press is sufficient. The WS101 will record the remote control code and the channel number (button). A successful pairing is confirmed: the LED will blink two or three times quickly and then the socket will either turn on or off (depending on the state before entering learning mode).
One rule that experienced installers never forget: the distance between the remote control and the socket during pairing should be 1–3 meters. Not too close (10 cm) and not too far (the whole room). Too close can cause the receiver to be overloaded, and too far can result in an insufficient signal.
Step 4: Verifying functionality
After a successful pairing, press the ON button on the remote control – the socket must turn on. Press OFF – the socket must turn off. If you have an appliance (e.g., a lamp) connected to the socket, the visual feedback is immediate. Test this at least 5–6 times, not just once. From practice, I know that sometimes the pairing is only partially saved and the socket responds to ON but not to OFF (or vice versa). In such a case, repeat the entire process.
Pairing multiple sockets and multiple remote controls
The WS101 system is designed to be flexible. Here are common configurations that I encounter in practice:
One remote control, multiple sockets
If you want to control 4 different WS101 sockets independently using a remote control with 4 buttons, the procedure is simple: pair each socket with a different button on the remote control. Perform the learning mode separately on each socket and press a different button each time. Result: button 1 controls the socket in the living room, button 2 in the bedroom, button 3 in the kitchen, etc.
If you want all sockets to respond to one button at the same time (group control), pair all sockets with the same button on the same remote control. Then, one press will turn all on or off at once.
Multiple remote controls, one socket
Typical case: you want to control one socket (e.g., in the garage) from two places – from a remote control at the entrance and from a remote control in the car. Procedure: perform the learning mode twice on the same socket, first with the first remote control, then with the second. The socket will remember both codes and will respond to both.
Combination with timers and switches
In practice, WS101 works well in combination with other Elektrobock products. For example, you can install the timer switch CS3-1 into a switch box and use WS101 for another circuit where you do not want to interfere with the electrical installation due to switching. Similarly, if you have multiple circuits for timed control, also consider CS3-2 or CS3-4 with multi-channel output. More about choosing between different types can be found in the article "How to choose the right Elektrobock timer switch for your home" and in the comparison article "Timer switch under the switch vs. on DIN rail: which type to choose."
Resetting WS101 to factory settings
There are situations when you want to completely reset the WS101 – to erase all learned codes and start from scratch. Typical case: you buy a used socket that is paired with a foreign remote control. Or you have lost the original remote and want to connect a new one. Or you simply want to change the entire configuration.
Factory reset procedure:
- Plug the WS101 into the power supply.
- Press and hold the LEARN button for at least 5 seconds (some versions require 8–10 seconds).
- The LED will first blink (this is the beginning of the learning mode at 2–3 seconds), then continue blinking until the LED starts blinking rapidly in a different pattern – usually 5 rapid blinks in a row.
- Release the button. The memory is now cleared.
Important warning: after the reset, the socket does not respond to any remote control. You must re-pair it according to the procedure in the previous chapter. Many people forget this and then report that the socket "has stopped working" – in reality, they just accidentally performed a reset and the socket is waiting for new pairing.
Range and signal interference: real values from practice
The manufacturer states a range of 30 meters in open space. This is under laboratory conditions. The reality in apartments and houses is different:
- One wall (drywall, partition): the range drops to about 20–25 meters, which is still sufficient for most apartments.
- Reinforced concrete wall or ceiling: the range drops to 5–10 meters. In old panel buildings with thick concrete walls, this is a weak point of the entire system.
- Two or three concrete walls between: reliable control is practically impossible. The solution here is an additional signal repeater, or you need to rethink the placement of the socket and the remote control.
- Interference from WiFi and microwave ovens: 433 MHz is a different band from WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), so interference is not direct. However, cheap chargers, LED drivers and other low-quality devices can generate broadband noise that also affects 433 MHz. If you have problems with range, try turning off nearby electronic devices and test whether the situation improves.
From my own measurements on customer sites: in a standard apartment with masonry walls (about 25 cm thickness) and one partition between rooms, the WS101 works reliably at a distance of 8–12 meters. In a detached house with 30 cm masonry and two walls between, I always recommend placing the remote control in the same room as the socket, or in direct proximity.
Common errors and their solutions
Socket does not respond after pairing
Most common reason: pairing failed. Try the entire procedure again from the beginning. Check that the LED actually blinked during pairing (= learning mode was active). If the LED did not blink at all, the LEARN button was not pressed long enough or the remote control batteries are depleted.
Socket responds irregularly – sometimes yes, sometimes no
This is a sign of a weak signal (large distance or thick walls), or depleted remote control batteries. Replace the batteries as the first step. If that does not help, shorten the distance or move the socket closer to the control location.
Socket turns on but cannot be turned off
Possible causes: pairing was only partial (only the ON command was learned), or the remote control has different codes for ON and OFF and only one was successfully transferred. Solution: reset the socket, new pairing.
Socket turns on even when the remote is not pressed
This happens when the socket picks up a signal from a foreign remote control with the same or very similar code (this happens in dense housing, in apartment buildings). Solution: perform a reset and re-pair with your remote control. If the problem persists, try a different channel on the remote.
After a power outage, the socket turns on by itself
WS101 remembers the last state (on/off) even after disconnecting from the power supply. After power is restored, it returns to the state it was in before the outage. If you do not want this, you must manually turn off the socket via the remote before turning off the circuit breaker.
Practical examples of WS101 deployment in the home
Over the years of practice, I have seen dozens of different uses of WS101. Here are the most common and most meaningful ones:
Water heater in the bathroom: The customer had a small electric water heater (boiler 1 500 W), which had to be manually turned on before the shower and turned off after the shower. WS101 placed behind the boiler (in a non-visible location) and a small remote control near the bathroom door. The remote is battery-powered, so no electrical installation work is required for it. Press the button in the morning after entering the bathroom, the heater starts up, after leaving press OFF. Simple, cheap, effective.
Fan in the garden shed: In a garden pavilion without electrical wiring, a power strip + WS101 + fan is sufficient. The remote is on the terrace table. When it's hot, the fan turns on without having to get up and go to the socket.
Christmas lighting: A classic. LED chains on the tree, WS101 at the socket behind the tree, remote at the sofa. No climbing under the furniture every evening and morning.
Irrigation pump in the garden: An irrigation pump (watch the power – it must be within the socket's limit, inductive load max. about 1 000 W). The remote is in the garden near the flower bed. The customer himself admitted that before he used to go to the pump and manually turn it on – now he does it from the other end of the garden.
Electric radiator in the garage: In the morning before leaving the house, the customer turns on a small electric radiator in the garage from the window of the apartment (the range through the window and wall was sufficient). By the time he comes down the stairs and opens the garage, it is a few degrees warmer inside. The radiator power was 1 800 W – within the WS101 limit.
Security recommendations when using WS101
A remote-controlled socket is convenient, but it also brings one risk: you can turn on an appliance when it is not safe – for example, if you have forgotten what is plugged into it, or if someone is working near the socket. A few rules from practical experience:
- Never connect appliances that should not remain on unattended: irons, kettles, deep fryers, etc. WS101 is suitable for appliances that can safely run without your presence (heaters, fans, pumps, lighting).
- Do not exceed the maximum power: 3,500 W is the absolute maximum for resistive load and good contact between the plug and socket. If in doubt, stay under 3,000 W.
- Inductive load is riskier: motors (pumps, fans) draw several times more current at startup than during normal operation (so-called inrush current). For safety, do not power a motor with a rated power higher than 700–800 W, even if the total would be under 3,500 W.
- Do not cover the socket: WS101 has ventilation holes through which it dissipates heat. Do not cover it with fabric, a mat, or any other material. The socket will warm slightly under load – this is normal.
Comparison of WS101 with other control solutions
WS101 is not the only option. Depending on the specific need, another device may be more suitable:
WS101 vs. a timer switch (e.g., CS3-1): A timer switch CS3-1B is installed in the wall and automatically switches light or another circuit according to a programmed schedule. WS101 is manual – you decide when it turns on. A combination of both makes sense: the timer ensures basic daily cycles, while WS101 allows for manual exceptions.
WS101 vs. WiFi smart sockets: WiFi sockets allow control via a phone from anywhere in the world, integration with voice assistants, and automation via apps. WS101 is local (maximum range 30 m), works without internet, and without an app. Advantage: it works even without a WiFi network, without server outages, and without cloud registration. For people who do not want to deal with app setup and cloud services, WS101 is still a more practical choice.
More information on how WS101 and other Elektrobock devices fit together can also be found in the article "Frequently asked questions about Elektrobock regulators and switches" in this Knowledge Center.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I control one WS101 socket with two different remotes?
Yes. The socket remembers the codes of multiple remotes. For each remote, you just need to perform the pairing procedure separately – each time you activate the learning mode on the socket and press the corresponding button on the new remote. The old code remains in memory alongside the new one. Both remotes will work without limitations.
What happens to the socket after a power outage?
WS101 remembers the last state (on or off) even without power. After power is restored, it returns to this state. If it was on before the outage, it will automatically turn on after power is restored. If it was off, it will remain off. Learned remote codes remain stored – a power outage has no effect on pairing.
What frequency does WS101 operate on and can it interfere with other devices?
WS101 operates on the frequency 433.92 MHz, which is a standardized ISM band in Europe. This band is shared with many other devices – garage door openers, wireless sensors, weather stations. Interference is theoretically possible, but in practice very rare due to the unique codes of each remote. WiFi and Bluetooth (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) do not transmit anything into the 433 MHz band, so mutual interference practically does not exist.
How can I tell if the WS101 socket is currently on or off?
WS101 has an LED indicator that signals the current state: it lights up when the socket is on and turns off when it is off (or vice versa, depending on the version). The remote itself has no display or feedback – you cannot see the socket's state on it. Therefore, it is recommended to have an appliance connected that visually indicates the state (a lamp, LED strip), so you can always see whether the circuit is on or off.
Can I use WS101 outdoors, for example in the garden?
The standard WS101 is intended for indoor use – it does not have protection against rain or dust (IP20 or similar for indoor environments). For outdoor use, you need a socket with at least IP44 protection. WS101 can be placed in a garden shed or under a canopy, where there is no direct rain exposure, but not directly outdoors in the garden without protection.
I lost the remote for WS101 – can I connect a new one without resetting the socket?
Yes. You can pair a new remote without resetting – simply perform the standard pairing procedure with the new remote. The socket will add the new remote's code to its memory alongside any existing codes. The old (lost) remote will remain in the socket's memory as well, which is a security issue – if someone finds it, they can control your socket. If you lose a remote and want to be sure, perform a reset and pair only the new remote.
Conclusion
The remote-controlled socket WS101 is a simple and reliable device that works well in every household – if you know what to expect from it and set it up correctly. Pairing with the remote takes 2–3 minutes, but it requires following the correct procedure: activating the learning mode, sending the signal from the remote at the correct distance, and verifying functionality. A reset and new pairing will solve most of the problems people encounter after the first setup.
If you use WS101 together with timer switches, also check out other products in this category – for example, CS3-4 for multi-channel timer control, or the articles "Programming a weekly switching schedule on Elektrobock switches" and "Installation of a timer switch under a switch CS3: step-by-step guide" in this Knowledge Center, where you can find further practical instructions for the entire Elektrobock ecosystem.
Do you have a question about this topic?
Not sure or dealing with a specific situation in your home? Write to us – we are happy to help.