What Is the Ting Sensor?
- A compact plug-in device that monitors electrical signals 30 million times per second (about 1.8 billion readings per minute), analyzing for low-level arcing that often precedes electrical fires.
- Detects micro-arcs in wiring, plugs, or devices, and sends alerts when patterns indicate elevated risk.Apple
⚙️ Features & How It Works
- Self-installable: Plug into a standard outlet (not behind a surge protector or smart strip), connect via Bluetooth for setup, then it uses your 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi to send data.PCWorld
- Continuous monitoring: Operates silently and continuously, no monthly tests or user intervention.TingPCWorld
- Expert support: On detection of a hazard, a specialized team notifies you and helps coordinate with a licensed electrician. Up to $1,000 of remediation labor is covered.
- Coverage: A single Ting sensor claimed to monitor an entire typical home, though large homes with multiple panels may require more than one unit and service subscription.
🚧 Effectiveness & Stats
- Ting claims to prevent approximately 75–80% of electrical fires, based on industry data and internal monitoring across hundreds of thousands of homes.
- Hot tip: most electrical fires—about 89%—involve arcing, which Ting is optimized to detect.
✅ Advantages
- Proactive early warning: Alerts long before smoke or heat alarms would trigger.Ting
- Simple setup: No electrician, no panel changes—just plug it in.Forbes
- Insurance support: Often provided free to eligible policyholders (e.g. by State Farm or Westfield), offering multiple years of service and repair coverage.
⚠️ Limitations & Criticisms
- Won’t stop a fire: The device only detects hazards; it doesn’t interrupt current or shut off power. It can’t replace arc-fault breakers.
- False positives & limited coverage: Reviews mention frequent warnings or detection where no clear hazard is found. One user reported detection in a dead outlet circuit, creating doubt about accuracy.
- Subscription required: $99 upfront, then approx. $49/year after the first year for monitoring and support. The service is mandatory for functionality.
- Privacy & bias concerns: Some critics question aggregated data use, ties with insurers, or potential data sharing with providers. Evidence indicates detailed signal data isn’t shared, only summarized event counts.
- Connectivity issues: Some users report Wi‑Fi disconnections or outages requiring outlet changes.
📋 Quick Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Detection Type | Monitors micro-arcing across home wiring & power feed |
| Effectiveness Claim | ~75–80% of electrical fires prevented |
| Installation | Plug-and-play: standard outlet, Bluetooth + Wi‑Fi setup |
| Support | Real-time alerts, tech & coordination, with $1,000 repair credit |
| Cost | $99 one-time (first year) + $49/year after |
| Pros | Proactive safety, simple install, insurer-supported |
| Cons | No fire suppression, possible false alerts, limited certification |
| Ideal use case | Older homes, homes with known wiring risks, insurance-supported setups |
🧭 Who Might Benefit from Ting?
🛑 Consider if you want…
- An early-warning system before fire conditions develop
- Minimal setup and hands-off monitoring
- Backup coordination for remediation via licensed electricians
✅ But ask yourself…
- Do you already have UL-listed AFCI breakers/outlets? These actively cut off circuits on fault detection.
- Are you comfortable with a required subscription and occasional false alarms?
- Do you need more than one unit for larger homes or multi-panel wiring?
🗣️ What the Reddit Communities Say
Critical voices often emphasize its limitations:
“Device is virtually useless… all it can do is send alerts… it doesn’t stop an electrical fire.
“Detected arcing when nothing was connected… it may be a gimmick.”
