ANSWERS:
Square-iz™ ("square eyes") is a digital timer lock that can be set-up to allow electrical devices to be used at pre-defined times. This gives control over when devices such as TV, games consoles and hi-fi systems can be used. [back]
2) Where do I buy Square-iz™ timer lock and how much is it?
Square-iz™ is available from Ebay for £7.99 including UK Mainland postage. This includes the timer, the secure casing and padlock, instructions and examples of how to set it up. Just search for 'digital timer lock'. [back]
3) What warranty do you offer for Square-iz™?
Square-iz™ is warranted from manufacturing defects only. This warranty is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage caused by normal wear and tear, inappropriate usage (including malicious damage) or the supplied batteries. The warranty is limited only to the supplied Square-iz™ product and does not extend to any other equipment or devices, however connected. Please follow the instructions, warnings and recommendations carefully. As usual, please retain your proof of purchase. [back]
4) Does Square-iz™ timer lock meet UK safety standards?
Yes. Square-iz™ is fully CE approved and RoHS compliant (2002/95/EC). RoHS is "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". [back]
5) Can Square-iz™ be used for any sort of electrical equipment?
Square-iz™ can be used for 240-volt domestic electrical equipment with a power consumption of a maximum of 13 amps (2900 watts). It is not suitable for low voltage products and not recommended for halogen lighting. We would NOT recommend it for equipment that is unsafe when used un-attended, for example electric heaters, kettles, electric fans, because these devices have inherent safety problems if they are not over-seen. [back]
6) Is Square-iz™ compatible with all UK domestic plugs?
Square-iz™ is compatible with all standard UK plugs (BS1363). The clearance (height) for the plug is 2.5cm (1 inch) so it is not possible to use certain plugs, for example plugs that are unusually thick because they incorporate a power supply. [back]
7) Is there any scientific evidence that using games consoles all day is bad for your health?
We are not medical personnel so cannot give a complete answer. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a lack of exercise is bad for you. Various press articles have suggested that adolescent development can be impacted by over-exposure to games consoles, TV and certain other forms of modern-day entertainment. Try searching The Sun and News of the World archives (www.thesun.co.uk), the Daily Mail website (www.dailymail.co.uk) and The Times archive (www.timesonline.co.uk) for relevant articles. [back]
8) I noticed Square-iz™ comes with batteries. Why doesn’t it use rechargeable batteries like a lot of plug-in timers?
There are several reasons that Square-iz™ uses button-cell batteries:
Small size – we have built a product that will sit comfortably in a double wall socket leaving room for something else to be plugged into the empty socket. To do this we needed a compact timer but found that timers with rechargeable batteries were too large to achieve this objective.
Heat – Rechargeable batteries generate heat when they are charging. Square-iz™ needs a secure casing to prevent timer settings being changed and a rechargeable timer may generate too much heat when it is in the casing.
Cost – Rechargeable timers have a higher basic cost due to more complex internal workings. If Square-iz™ is used wisely (left plugged-in and the socket switched on) the life of the batteries would be significant so the overall cost of ownership would be lower than a rechargeable equivalent product. [back]
9) Where do I get spare batteries for Square-iz™?
Square-iz™ comes with two batteries in the timer. Batteries are 1.5v button cells AG13 (also known as LR44) and are available from hardware stores, some supermarkets and most jewellers.[back]
10) I am not good with electrical equipment. My TV remote control confuses me sometimes. How easy is Square-iz™ to set-up?
Square-iz™ is quite easy to set up, certainly no more difficult than any other electronic timer. Examples of typical set-ups are enclosed with the timer. There are also several additional examples (which we believe will be the most common) available to view or print from this web site. You have the option of setting times for individual days, all week days (as a block) or weekends. And if you get it wrong, just take batteries out and put them back again and start again. Maybe your kids could help because they are probably good at that sort of thing??? [back]
11) What happens if the batteries in Square-iz™ go flat? Do I have to re-program all of the time periods in the timer?
Yes – you do need to re-program the time periods after the batteries are replaced. There are several examples on this web site to assist that process and the Square-iz™ timer gives you the option of setting times for all week days (as a block) or week-ends, further simplifying the task. [back]
12) Why should I leave Square-iz™ plugged in with the plug switched on all the time?
Square-iz™ uses button-cell batteries to allow it to be set-up before it is plugged into the mains. When it is plugged in and the plug switched on, the mains electricity keeps the timer going and the batteries are not used. If the plug is switched off, the button-cell batteries will then power the timer and, of course, they will go flat after a while. [back]
13) I am going on holiday for several weeks and do not want to leave Square-iz™ plugged-in and switched on when I am away. Will I have to replace the batteries when I come back from holiday?
Square-iz™ batteries last about 2000 hours (or around 12 weeks) if the timer is not supplied with electricity so it is quite possible that it will still be working OK when you return from holiday. It may be wiser to use Square-iz™ to power room lights (standard lamps or table lamps) when you are away to give your house the appearance of being occupied. Not only will this prevent the Square-iz™ batteries from going flat, it may prevent your house from being broken into. And it is quite possible that your normal Square-iz™ settings (on and off-times) are perfect for this security lighting! [back]
14) The timer casing for Square-iz™ is locked with a key-operated padlock. I am worried that I will loose the key to the padlock and the Square-iz™ timer lock will be useless.
Square-iz™ is supplied with a key operated padlock and three keys so we would rtecommend you keep at least one of them securely. If you are unfortunate enough to misplace all three keys, you could carefully cut open the clasp that secures the outer casing (making sure Square-iz™ is un-plugged from the mains socket before doing this). This would allow you to unplug the electrical device and continue using it but without the time restrictions that Square-iz™ offers.
Unfortunately we cannot provide replacement keys for the Square-iz™ padlocks. [back]
15) Does Square-iz™ come in any colours other than the white timer and the clear casing?
Square-iz™ is only available with a white timer and transparent casing at present. If there was sufficient demand it could be produced in other colours. [back]
16) My children wont like the idea of me limiting the amount of time they spend on their games consoles. It wouldn’t surprise me if they just unplugged Square-iz™ and left it unplugged until the batteries went flat. I can see this costing me a lot for batteries in the long run.
I expect your children will not be over-excited at the thought of restricting their access to games consoles, TV or other facilities that they think they have a right to over-indulge in. It is quite possible they will unplug Square-iz™ and leave the batteries to go flat. They may have to wait 3 months or more until the timer batteries expire and I doubt they could live wothout their beloved games that long. Much the same as any other area of their lives, they should eventually understand that some things are done for their long-term good. And we are sure that it will not take them long to realise that Square-iz™ with flat batteries equals no games console or TV at all! [back]
17) We’ve got a TV, Hi-fi, Satellite receiver and DVD player in our lounge running off one extension lead with four sockets. Could I buy one Square-iz™ timer lock and put it on the extension lead to control the use of all this equipment in one go?
You can’t use Square-iz™ on an extension lead to prevent access to multiple electrical devices because the ‘little angels’ could simply un-plug the TV set or satellite receiver from the extension lead and plug it direct into the wall socket. You would be better off putting Square-iz™ on the TV plug which would control the use of the TV, Satellite receiver and the DVD player because they would have nothing to watch them on! You may need a second Square-iz™ for the Hi-fi system if you also need to control the use of that. [back]
18) My son has a games console and TV plugged into a double socket in his bedroom. I want to put a Square-iz™ timer lock on the games console but still let him use the TV whenever he wants to. Will the Square-iz™ timer lock leave room for the TV to be plugged in to the double socket at the same time?
If you have ‘normal’ double wall sockets then Square-iz™ should sit comfortably next to the TV plug in the wall socket. See our home page for a picture of this. If you wanted to control access to the TV as well, then put Square-iz™ onto the TV plug which will prevent the games console and TV being used. Finally, if you want to control the use of the TV and games console but set up different access times for both of them, you need two Square-iz™ timer locks. Once again, two Square-iz™ timer locks should sit comfortably in a ‘normal’ double wall socket.[back]
19) I use my children’s games console occasionally. I noticed you can save a game when you are part way through so you do not have to start from the beginning the next time you use it. If Square-iz™ timer lock suddenly turns off the power, you wont be able to make a save of the game will you?
Yes, it is possible that Square-iz™ will turn off a games console before the game has been saved. This potential problem can largely be avoided by ensuring the game is saved before power is cut-off. There are practical ways to help this, for example a sticker on the games console saying the times that the power will be turned off. One benefit is that your children will soon become a little more aware of the time! [back]
20) What do I do if my children get fed up and try to prize Square-iz™ timer out of its casing?
Hopefully they will not try to damage Square-iz™, however it’s design makes the outer casing tough but not indestructible. It is possible that the outer casing will be either damaged or broken. We would not recommend you use Square-iz™ if the outer casing is damaged. [back]
21) Are there any ways of getting around Square-iz™?
Square-iz™ is not infallible. There are many domestic electrical products which have a removable power lead and it is quite possible to unplug the lead which has the Square-iz™ timer lock and plug in another similar lead which does not have the Square-iz™ timer lock. Parents as well as children need a degree of discipline. If the games console is being used when the Square-iz™ timer lock says it shouldn’t be, then the rules are obviously being bent a little. We are aware of occasions where the power lead has been physically glued into the electrical device to prevent its removal although we do not condone or recommend this sort of extreme action. If the problem is occurring with a games console, you should consider putting the Square-iz™ timer lock on the television. A games console without a television to watch it on is unlikely to hold a child’s attention for long! [back]
22) I want to control the use of satellite TV, a video player
and a DVD player. Do I need to buy three Square-iz™ timer locks?
Not necessarily. You could buy one Square-iz™ timer lock for the TV. It wouldn’t matter when the video player, satellite receiver or DVD player were used – if the TV doesn’t have power there is not a lot of incentive to ‘watch’ a DVD! [back]
23) My children have games consoles in their bedrooms. I can put a Square-iz™ timer lock on their games console power lead but they could easily get another lead and plug it into the console and into the wall socket by-passing the timer lock. How do I stop them doing this?
Put the Square-iz™ timer lock on their TV. A games console without a TV is not a lot of use! [back]
24) The Square-iz™ shown on your web site is for UK use only. Are there any plans for European or Worldwide versions and, if so, when will they be available?
European and USA versions of Square-iz™ have been considered but there are no plans for manufacture at present. As yet we have no plans for Australia, NZ, the Indian sub-continent or the Far East but sufficient demand could change this. [back]
25) Do I have to adjust the time for daylight saving and if so, how easy is it to do this?
Yes, Square-iz™ knows what day it is but does not store the date so can’t automatically adjust for Daylight Saving. Changing the time is very easy and takes seconds. See the ‘HOW’ page on this web site for instructions on changing the timer clock to allow for daylight saving. [back]
26) My child has a powerful hi-fi system that is made up of several separate units (amplifier, CD player, Tape player, Record deck. I want to stop him using it during the day when I am out at work. Do I have to buy a Square-iz™ timer lock for each piece of equipment?
No, you just need Square-iz™ for the amplifier because the other components are useless if the amplifier doesn’t have power. [back]
27) Is there any way I can stop my children using the computer printer when I am not around? It is costing me a fortune in ink cartridges.
Yes. Square-iz™ can be used on computer printers to restrict access. You have to use a little caution because you wouldn’t want the power to be switched off mid-print. [back]
28) My daughter has a telephone in her bedroom that she seems to use at all hours of the day. Is there any way I can restrict her to just a couple of hours a day.
You can use Square-iz™ for this but it is NOT RECOMMENDED. The telephone needs to be mains powered for Square-iz™ to be effective. There will be no warning before it is switched off so Square-iz™ could terminate a call prematurely. Most important, the phone COULD NOT BE USED FOR EMERGENCY CALLS when the power is turned off. We would therefore recommend other methods of restricting the usage of telephones. [back]
29) I have a photocopier in my office that seems to be wracking up an awful lot of copies. It is possible some of my staff are using it for personal copying outside normal office hours. I do not want to confront my staff because it may cause bad feelings. Is there any way I can use Square-iz™ to restrict the times it is available?
Yes. It may be possible to use Square-iz™ to stop the copier being used out of hours. You must be aware that the power could be turned off in the middle of a copying job and that might jam the photocopier. We recommend you check with your copier supplier/manufacturer to see if it will be damaged if the power is turned off without warning. [back]
30) The franking machine at our office is costing a lot more that I would have expected. It is possible my staff are using it for personal reasons out of office hours. Would Square-iz™ help in controlling this?
Yes. It may be possible to use Square-iz™ to stop the franking machine being used out of hours. You must be aware that the power could be turned off in the middle of a job. We recommend you check with your supplier/manufacturer to see if it will be damaged if the power is turned off without warning. [back]
31) Can I restrict the times my PC is used with Square-iz™?
You can use Square-iz™ to restrict access times to PC’s but beware. Most PC’s have a closedown procedure that ensures all files are saved and the PC is closed down in an ordered manner. Square-iz™ will turn the PC off without warning so this closedown procedure will not be run. Although it is likely that the PC will start-up OK the next time it is used, there is a possibility that some information will be lost. In some circumstances, it may be wiser to put a Square-iz™ timer lock on the PC monitor. The PC will not be closed down but it will be impractical to use it without the computer monitor. [back]
32) What if the fuse goes in the plug locked into Square-iz™. How can you tell if Square-iz™ is on?
The display on the Square-iz™ timer shows a small picture of a light bulb that can be seen through the outer casing. If there is a cross on the light bulb, it is off. If you have any doubt, simply unplug Square-iz™, undo the padlock and slide the timer out for a better look at the timer display. [back]
33) My son is a budding guitarist. Unfortunately he needs his guitar amplifier at full volume to properly emulate the sound of wailing cats that seems to be so popular in modern music these days. Will Square-iz™ be useful in restricting the times he can be ‘creative’?
Yes. Square-iz™ can be set-up with time periods that will restrict this ‘creative spirit’ to sociable hours only. Be aware that some amplifiers have a removable power lead so it would be possible for your little angel to by-pass Square-iz™ with another similar power lead. [back]
© 2007 FMD Consultants Limited est. 1988
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