Designing your home automation system will begin by deciding which devices you wish to have control over around the house and purchase the matching hardware.
Since I have experienced only X10 products (haven't tried PLC-Bus or any other), I will recommend only X10 devices here. Moreover, X10 is the cheapest and most popular standard for this technology.
Also, I suggest using a PC as the home automation server which will be connected to the X10 controller through a USB cable, and handle all the trigger event and indications from and to the controller.
1. The Controller -
This is the "brain" of your home automation system, and the server interface for all the devices in your house. the controller is connected to the computer with a USB cable from one side, and in the other side it is plugged into your electric outlet. In this way he sends signals to the receiver devices over the house power-lines (following a trigger coming from the PC server), and receive a signal from the house power-lines (and notify the server PC).
The new controller also has the ability to receive RF X10 notifications and deliver the notification to the server PC, that way he can handle other devices trigger as well (motion sensor for example).
My controller is CM15pro - In U.S the popular manufacture is "ACTIVEHOME PRO", in europe it's "Marmitek".
Since I have experienced only X10 products (haven't tried PLC-Bus or any other), I will recommend only X10 devices here. Moreover, X10 is the cheapest and most popular standard for this technology.
Also, I suggest using a PC as the home automation server which will be connected to the X10 controller through a USB cable, and handle all the trigger event and indications from and to the controller.
1. The Controller -
This is the "brain" of your home automation system, and the server interface for all the devices in your house. the controller is connected to the computer with a USB cable from one side, and in the other side it is plugged into your electric outlet. In this way he sends signals to the receiver devices over the house power-lines (following a trigger coming from the PC server), and receive a signal from the house power-lines (and notify the server PC).
The new controller also has the ability to receive RF X10 notifications and deliver the notification to the server PC, that way he can handle other devices trigger as well (motion sensor for example).
My controller is CM15pro - In U.S the popular manufacture is "ACTIVEHOME PRO", in europe it's "Marmitek".
2. Receiver modules
The main goal of receiver modules is to Receive the X-10 signals and then switch on or dim the corresponding lights or equipment.
Most modules are very easy to install (just plug & play). Every module has a unique address, in this way the receiver knows which signals to respond to.
Popular use-full modules:
The main goal of receiver modules is to Receive the X-10 signals and then switch on or dim the corresponding lights or equipment.
Most modules are very easy to install (just plug & play). Every module has a unique address, in this way the receiver knows which signals to respond to.
Popular use-full modules:
- AM12 appliance external module - plug and play module, On/Off any plug in electrical device which is connected to it.
- LM15 Lamp Module - replace it between the lamp and the electrical socket, in this way you can control your light.
- AW12 appliance internal module - internal module, makes your switch or socket controlled by X10 invisibelly.
- SW10 shutter switch - replace your existing switch with an X10 controller switch.
3. Other modules
MS13 Motion sensor - this module is a little different, since it is an X10 RF transmitter module and not a receiver. the module detects motion, and sends RF notification about it to the controller, with it's unique address as the identifier.
Although i haven't experienced those yet, there are some other really cool modules that you can add to maximize your control over your house, and they are usually under the title "X10 Security modules". For example:
X10 Digimax 210 wireless room thermostat - temperature X10 notifications.
X10 wireless smoke detector for security systems.
MS13 Motion sensor - this module is a little different, since it is an X10 RF transmitter module and not a receiver. the module detects motion, and sends RF notification about it to the controller, with it's unique address as the identifier.
Although i haven't experienced those yet, there are some other really cool modules that you can add to maximize your control over your house, and they are usually under the title "X10 Security modules". For example:
X10 Digimax 210 wireless room thermostat - temperature X10 notifications.
X10 wireless smoke detector for security systems.
Common X10 install issues:
As much as I like to believe that X10 is easy to install and fun to handle, a lot of issues can cause interference to the communication above the power lines... I don't really know how to handle them all since I have no clue... But there is one common issue that many people suffer from, and this is
"THE ELECTRIC PHASE PROBLEM" - it is most common in old houses. The reason for this problem relies on the idea that the electrical source to your house is a 2 phase, and each electrical product chooses if to use both phase or only one.
X10 signal over your power line goes through one phase, and jumping to other phase might cause the signal to get lost. In this way it is possible that part of your house receives the signals and the other part doesn't.
For that matter, there is a device called "Coupler" or "Booster", and it echos signals from one phase to another (I never had to deal with it, but I heard people do, I looked it up and there is a module named FKX40 coupler repeater of Marmitek to handle this issue).
Purchasing those babies:
Well, since I was looking for ~220V supported modules, and there aren't any suppliers in Israel... I had to go look for it around Europe. obviously this means that every plug in module requires an adapter, but what else can i do...
The most popular and reliable X10 manufacture I purchased from is marmitek, check out their website is very friendly (Marmitek) - look for the home automation products.
Marmitek is only the manufacture, look for a store that deliver overseas in a reasonable price to purchase your items. I bought from UK-Automation (UK-Automation) and from Home-Automation Europe (X10Modules).
For US ~110V products this is much easier - purchase ActiveHome products, check out their products at ActiveHome.
Installing your devices
When the modules finally arrive at your house we need to install them. First, Plug all the receivers in place, set the addresses of each device (what ever you wish, just make sure they are different from one another...)
Lamp modules don't have address set, it is usually A1-A3 from my experience...
Motion sensor - make sure he has battery, look in the instructions how to set his address (it is something with the buttons and blinkings...).
Controller - place a battery inside, make sure the antenna has "eye contact" with a motion sensor (if exist). Plug it in the socket, and to the computer by USB.
Software:
Now, once all in place and ready to use, you need a server's software to control your house and manage all your devices.
Basically, the cm15pro controller comes with "ActiveHome professional" CD install. Install this software anyway, it is VERY easy to use, just add devices, configure the right address and play with the virtual switch to turn it on/off.
You can also add motion sensor or any other device you have purchased, and it has it's unique characteristics.
So Far I have detailed how-to purchase & install existing "Marmitek" X10 products in your house.
This is real nice and allows you to control all devices from your home PC, and even set timers and events.
For me it wasn't enough... I wanted to have extra control over my devices, which allows adding IR capabilities to the system (to control all remote-controlled devices), and handle voice recognition commands as well as trigger external events (such as sending mail...).
If you find it interesting- check out "GSH Application" in the neighbor tab...
As much as I like to believe that X10 is easy to install and fun to handle, a lot of issues can cause interference to the communication above the power lines... I don't really know how to handle them all since I have no clue... But there is one common issue that many people suffer from, and this is
"THE ELECTRIC PHASE PROBLEM" - it is most common in old houses. The reason for this problem relies on the idea that the electrical source to your house is a 2 phase, and each electrical product chooses if to use both phase or only one.
X10 signal over your power line goes through one phase, and jumping to other phase might cause the signal to get lost. In this way it is possible that part of your house receives the signals and the other part doesn't.
For that matter, there is a device called "Coupler" or "Booster", and it echos signals from one phase to another (I never had to deal with it, but I heard people do, I looked it up and there is a module named FKX40 coupler repeater of Marmitek to handle this issue).
Purchasing those babies:
Well, since I was looking for ~220V supported modules, and there aren't any suppliers in Israel... I had to go look for it around Europe. obviously this means that every plug in module requires an adapter, but what else can i do...
The most popular and reliable X10 manufacture I purchased from is marmitek, check out their website is very friendly (Marmitek) - look for the home automation products.
Marmitek is only the manufacture, look for a store that deliver overseas in a reasonable price to purchase your items. I bought from UK-Automation (UK-Automation) and from Home-Automation Europe (X10Modules).
For US ~110V products this is much easier - purchase ActiveHome products, check out their products at ActiveHome.
Installing your devices
When the modules finally arrive at your house we need to install them. First, Plug all the receivers in place, set the addresses of each device (what ever you wish, just make sure they are different from one another...)
Lamp modules don't have address set, it is usually A1-A3 from my experience...
Motion sensor - make sure he has battery, look in the instructions how to set his address (it is something with the buttons and blinkings...).
Controller - place a battery inside, make sure the antenna has "eye contact" with a motion sensor (if exist). Plug it in the socket, and to the computer by USB.
Software:
Now, once all in place and ready to use, you need a server's software to control your house and manage all your devices.
Basically, the cm15pro controller comes with "ActiveHome professional" CD install. Install this software anyway, it is VERY easy to use, just add devices, configure the right address and play with the virtual switch to turn it on/off.
You can also add motion sensor or any other device you have purchased, and it has it's unique characteristics.
So Far I have detailed how-to purchase & install existing "Marmitek" X10 products in your house.
This is real nice and allows you to control all devices from your home PC, and even set timers and events.
For me it wasn't enough... I wanted to have extra control over my devices, which allows adding IR capabilities to the system (to control all remote-controlled devices), and handle voice recognition commands as well as trigger external events (such as sending mail...).
If you find it interesting- check out "GSH Application" in the neighbor tab...
USB-UIRT
Controlling all your IR-Controlled devices can enhance your home automation system big-time.The USB-UIRT is a very useful device, which is actually very similar to "Universal remote control" as you have probably seen before...
USB-UIRT is a device, which connects to your PC via USB (surprisingly..), and has an IR eye for receiving and transmitting IR commands over the air. That way you can learn IR code from a specific remote (say the air-conditioner Temperature down button), store the code, and transmit it upon request in a later time.
CheckOut their website it is quite friendly (UsbUirt). I have purchased mine from EBAY since they don't deliver to Israel. Also check out the frequency range, it changes according to the country the device was purchased (I have bought the 56K enhanced and haven't encountered IR that wasn't recognized by the UIRT).
If you are interested in IR control capabilities, I suggest installing the driver from their site, and use "EventGhost" open source windows automation tool (EventGhost) to configure and learn/transmit IR commands..
Also you'll find "Girder" a very powerful tool which supports USB-UIRT, but this one is not free to use...
As for me, yea I did all the above, but it wasn't enough for me.... I wanted to be able to have control over IR and X10 and some other stuff in the same system. So I've added to my tool (GSH) IR device triggers as well...
If you're following, you probably realize what a creative / crazy programmer can do with those abilities - and yes I'm talking about turning on the aircon in case the motion sensor sent motion notification, and lower the TV volume when I shout "Quiet !!".....
USB-UIRT is a device, which connects to your PC via USB (surprisingly..), and has an IR eye for receiving and transmitting IR commands over the air. That way you can learn IR code from a specific remote (say the air-conditioner Temperature down button), store the code, and transmit it upon request in a later time.
CheckOut their website it is quite friendly (UsbUirt). I have purchased mine from EBAY since they don't deliver to Israel. Also check out the frequency range, it changes according to the country the device was purchased (I have bought the 56K enhanced and haven't encountered IR that wasn't recognized by the UIRT).
If you are interested in IR control capabilities, I suggest installing the driver from their site, and use "EventGhost" open source windows automation tool (EventGhost) to configure and learn/transmit IR commands..
Also you'll find "Girder" a very powerful tool which supports USB-UIRT, but this one is not free to use...
As for me, yea I did all the above, but it wasn't enough for me.... I wanted to be able to have control over IR and X10 and some other stuff in the same system. So I've added to my tool (GSH) IR device triggers as well...
If you're following, you probably realize what a creative / crazy programmer can do with those abilities - and yes I'm talking about turning on the aircon in case the motion sensor sent motion notification, and lower the TV volume when I shout "Quiet !!".....