diff --git a/examples/alarm_email.py b/examples/alarm_email.py
index 87ee83a..bc9ed46 100644
--- a/examples/alarm_email.py
+++ b/examples/alarm_email.py
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ def main():
         device.on_alarm += handle_alarm
         device.open()
 
-        # Retrieve the device configuration
-        device.get_config()
-
         # Wait for events
         while True:
             time.sleep(1)
diff --git a/examples/basics.py b/examples/basics.py
index 3ce9073..701765e 100644
--- a/examples/basics.py
+++ b/examples/basics.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ def main():
         # Set up an event handler and open the device
         device.on_message += handle_message
         device.open()
-        device.get_config()
 
         # Wait for events.
         while True:
diff --git a/examples/rf_device.py b/examples/rf_device.py
index 23f30bd..0d76321 100644
--- a/examples/rf_device.py
+++ b/examples/rf_device.py
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ def main():
         # Set up an event handler and open the device
         device.on_rfx_message += handle_rfx
         device.open()
-        device.get_config()
 
         # Wait for events.
         while True:
diff --git a/examples/serialport.py b/examples/serialport.py
index 583d39c..e2420ae 100644
--- a/examples/serialport.py
+++ b/examples/serialport.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ def main():
         # Set up an event handler and open the device
         device.on_message += handle_message
         device.open(baudrate=BAUDRATE)            # Override the default SerialDevice baudrate.
-        device.get_config()
 
         # Wait for events.
         while True:
diff --git a/examples/socket_example.py b/examples/socket_example.py
index f0fb4e2..fec811f 100644
--- a/examples/socket_example.py
+++ b/examples/socket_example.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ def main():
         # Set up an event handler and open the device
         device.on_message += handle_message
         device.open()
-        device.get_config()
 
         # Wait for events.
         while True:
diff --git a/examples/ssl_socket.py b/examples/ssl_socket.py
index d6eff02..e93d345 100644
--- a/examples/ssl_socket.py
+++ b/examples/ssl_socket.py
@@ -33,9 +33,6 @@ def main():
         device.on_message += handle_message
         device.open()
 
-        time.sleep(1)          # Allow time for SSL handshake to complete.
-        device.get_config()
-
         # Wait for events.
         while True:
             time.sleep(1)
diff --git a/examples/virtual_zone_expander.py b/examples/virtual_zone_expander.py
index 930eef3..1cdcecb 100644
--- a/examples/virtual_zone_expander.py
+++ b/examples/virtual_zone_expander.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ def main():
         device.on_zone_restore += handle_zone_restore
 
         device.open()
-        device.get_config()
 
         # Wait for events.
         last_update = time.time()
diff --git a/pyad2/ad2.py b/pyad2/ad2.py
index d7c8f6e..f937e09 100644
--- a/pyad2/ad2.py
+++ b/pyad2/ad2.py
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ class AD2(object):
         """
         self._wire_events()
         self._device.open(baudrate=baudrate, no_reader_thread=no_reader_thread)
+        self.get_config()
 
     def close(self):
         """
diff --git a/pyad2/devices.py b/pyad2/devices.py
index 927b397..4938428 100644
--- a/pyad2/devices.py
+++ b/pyad2/devices.py
@@ -880,6 +880,9 @@ class SocketDevice(Device):
 
             self._device.connect((self._host, self._port))
 
+            if self._use_ssl:
+                self._device.do_handshake()
+
             self._id = '{0}:{1}'.format(self._host, self._port)
 
         except socket.error, err: