In some embodiments, communication module 210 also includes a wireless interface, such as Wi-Fi interface, cellular interface, and Bluetooth interface. Wi-Fi interface includes a Wi-Fi transceiver that enables Wi-Fi communication between smart power adapter 200 and an external device that also has Wi-Fi capability such as devices in controlled environment. Cellular interface which includes a cellular transceiver that enables cellular communication between smart power adapter 200 and an external device that has cellular capability such as cellular antenna. Bluetooth interface includes a Bluetooth transceiver that enables Bluetooth communication between smart power adapter 200 and an external device that also has Bluetooth capability.

Communication module 210 also communicates with associated monitoring centers of controlled environments, such as monitoring center 130. Communication module 210 allows monitoring center 130 to manage and otherwise control operations of smart power adapter 200 either through the powerline network associated with a smart outlet or through wireless communications. For example, communication module 210 responds to queries from monitoring center 130 with a unique identifier (e.g., retrieved from memory 208) and transmits responses to monitoring center 130. As another example, communication module 210 communicates status information regarding operations (e.g., stored in memory 208) of smart power adapter 200 to monitoring center 130.

Exemplary Smart Outlet