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The term "home automation" describes almost anything you can do to
control devices in your home, including remote control, computer
control, timers, etc. Automation can make life more convenient,
improve security, and it can also save considerable energy. There are
many vendors that produce and sell equipment for home automation. On
this site I describe some of this equipment and how to choose what is
best for you. I also describe some automation projects that I
have completed.
Sources of home automation equipment
Two of the best sources for home automation equipment are Smarthome.Com and X10 and each of these has its strengths and weaknesses. If
you decide to automate your home, it is likely that you will add to
your system over several years, and you will likely choose equipment
from both of these sources. Fortunately, the main line of automation
equipment from these two vendors will work together. If you need
basic modules quickly, you might also check at your local Radio Shack,
although the selection will be more limited and you might pay a higher
price.
In addition to X10, Smarthome.com offers a second line of home automation equipment that
uses the Insteon protocol. This protocol is more reliable than X10, but
at present there are some devices that are not available in the
Insteon line. The Insteon modules also work with X10 controllers and
vice versa. If you are getting X10 modules from Smarthome, I suggest
getting the Insteon version since they will also work with your X10
controllers, and it leaves you with Insteon capable modules in case
you decide to convert to Insteon later. The price of the Insteon
modules is comparable to that for the SmartHome X10 only modules.
Click here for a general discussion of
the strengths of each of the vendors listed above, and how to get the
best deals on devices. Read the desciptions under "Choosing home
automation equipment" to decide which components are right for your
application, and to find the best source for those components.
Getting Started
I am setting up a home automation system for my house and have started
to order X10 modules. The first thing I did was to take the time to
catalog the devices I wanted to control, and from where. I then listed
the characteristics of each kind of control I needed in terms of
whether I required dimming, non-dimming, confirmation of feedback of
current state, and scene lighting, and whether I might want that
functionaility in the future. This is an important step because there
are large difference in the price of home automation modules depending
on the features your require. On the pages linked in the following
sections, I discuss different kinds of X10 modules and how to select
what you need, and for some module types I discuss the benefits and
drawbacks to the offereings of different vendors.
Home Automation Projects
Follow the links below for information on several of the home
automation projects that I have completed. Some are standard projects
one would expect to do using home automation, but I discuss the
different equipment options I considered and experience with my
choice. Other projects are straighforward, but will give you ideas
about things to control, and discusses my experince, the cost of the
project, and any savings that resulted.
Choosing home automation equipment
- Lamp modules or Appliance Modules
- This page discusses the two classes of modules that switch the power
to your device, and when and when not to use each.
- One way or two way This page
discusses the benefits of two way home automation modules which can
responsd to status queries and signal changes in their on or off
state.
- Lamp modules and contolled dimmer switches
- This page discusses the options available in lamp modules or
controlled dimmer switches, and gives the benefits and drawbacks to
each vendors offerings.
- Computer Controllers - This page
discusses the heart an any advances home automation system, the
computer controller that can be programmed to control devices by time,
or to execute sequences of multiple commands when appropriate and
gives the benefits and drawbacks to each vendors offerings.
- Appliance modules and switched
outlets - This page discusses the options available in appliance
modules and switched outlets and gives the benefits and drawbacks to
each vendors offerings.
- Keypads and switches - This page
discusses the keypads and switches that send and receive X10 signals
to control your lights and appliances and gives the benefits and
drawbacks to each vendors offerings.
- Wireless commands - This page
discusses devices that receive wireless commands and send them over
your house wiring to control devices from a remote control. It gives
the benefits and drawbacks to each vendors offerings.
- Starter Kits - This page
discusses starter kits that are available, i.e. collections of devices
that can be used as a complete, albeit small, home automation systems.
- Debugging - X10 automation is not
perfect, problems can arise from weak signals, or interference in
your household wiring. This section describes some of the tools you
can use to diagnose problems, and steps you can take to solve problems
when they arise.
For more information related to home automation
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