potts.mike
Active Member
If you want to control a switch it will need to be replaced
Home Automation Newbie
- Thread starter psaini
- Start date
Actually what i was asking that if i want to contol all the lights and power outlets in my house then do i need to change all the switches in my house
Rupp
Senior Member
Yes you will.
Is that regardless of what technology i use z-wave, x10, UPB or Insteon
Fiasco
Member
pete_c
Guru
Welcome to the forum Paul. You'll find the forum very informative.
Historically I've suggested to a couple of folks to start playing with HA by purchasing a cheap X10 serial controller and a few cheap X10 lamp modules.
The initial costs to play is minimal and will provide some basics to home automation. If you like what you see relating to "remote control" via the powerline/computer connection then you can decide whether you want to invest more into X10 or even look at other products which use different protocals.
Historically I've suggested to a couple of folks to start playing with HA by purchasing a cheap X10 serial controller and a few cheap X10 lamp modules.
The initial costs to play is minimal and will provide some basics to home automation. If you like what you see relating to "remote control" via the powerline/computer connection then you can decide whether you want to invest more into X10 or even look at other products which use different protocals.
Rupp
Senior Member
Use all of them. Each protocol has devices that the others do not so use all of them. For example I use some X10 outdoor modules, powerflash units and lamp and appliance modules. I use some UPB light switches, I use Z-Wave door locks, leak detectors, temp and humidity sensors and I use some Insteon light switches.
If you use all of them(different protocols) is it possible to integrate all of them through one computer software or interface?? thanks guys you are awesome... really appreciate all of you for giving me valuable suggestion and help
pete_c
Guru
Today I have X-10, Insteon and UPB; all running concurrently to my HSPro HA server. I also have X-10, UPB and Z-Wave running concurrently on my HAI OPII panel. Duplicating controllers (6 now) - a bit overkill. In addition another UPB and Z-Wave controller plugged into my office desktop computer.
Ideally (future) I want to "offload" / collapse some of my duplication of controllers.
Ideally (future) I want to "offload" / collapse some of my duplication of controllers.
I am reading about it a lot on internet and found there are four relays that can be used x10 upb zwave and insteon. I have understand a bit how these work. But i have also read that structured wiring i.e. putting cat5 or cat6 cables is a better option. now can some one please explain me how it is a better option and how it will be used to get the system running.
I was thinking about putting cat5 or cat6 cabling around few spots in house for internet access, actually i did put cat5 few months back up to my living room for my media center... but ideally i was thinking of buying a switch and put in a cabinet in a garage to centralized everything.
So i was thinking if its a good option then may be i should start considering putting the cables, otherwise i am getting leaning more toward z wave cause i think it will be easier to install it around the house
Will really appreciate if some one can please explain.
Thanks guys
mustangcoupe
Senior Member
Sorry Paul, I do not know of any books that cover todays technology.
The four protocals you mention "x10 upb zwave and insteon"
x10, upb and insteon are all power line communications (PLC), ex. they send signals over the existing wiring in your home to devices connected to them.
zwave uses a RF (radio) interface and does not depend on he power lines to communicate. but people with metal studs or wire with stucco walls may report por com/lower signal strength.
The other option like you mentioned is a hardwired technique. every switch you want to control needs communications wires run to them, back to a central point, most people use cat5/6 for this. it DOES NOT get connected directly to your computer network, but back to a central controller. because it is hard wired it is more robust, and less likely to have interference with other devices. but the PLC devices have come a long ways from the X-10 where they would only work 1/10th of the time you wanted them to..... look around for horror stories there are some on all devices ( I WILL NOT go into detail here, and I urge others not to also and derail things...) but there are some that are worse then others. Most not all PLC stuff require a neutral wire in the box you are replacing the device in (switch outlet ect...)
Also one warning. what ever you do DO NOT set an outlet to be dim able. eventually some one will plug something in that is not suposed to be dimmed and you will smoke either your device, outlet, control device(switch or outlet) and possibility your house!
The four protocals you mention "x10 upb zwave and insteon"
x10, upb and insteon are all power line communications (PLC), ex. they send signals over the existing wiring in your home to devices connected to them.
zwave uses a RF (radio) interface and does not depend on he power lines to communicate. but people with metal studs or wire with stucco walls may report por com/lower signal strength.
The other option like you mentioned is a hardwired technique. every switch you want to control needs communications wires run to them, back to a central point, most people use cat5/6 for this. it DOES NOT get connected directly to your computer network, but back to a central controller. because it is hard wired it is more robust, and less likely to have interference with other devices. but the PLC devices have come a long ways from the X-10 where they would only work 1/10th of the time you wanted them to.....
look around for horror stories there are some on all devices ( I WILL NOT go into detail here, and I urge others not to also and derail things...) but there are some that are worse then others. Most not all PLC stuff require a neutral wire in the box you are replacing the device in (switch outlet ect...) Also one warning. what ever you do DO NOT set an outlet to be dim able. eventually some one will plug something in that is not suposed to be dimmed and you will smoke either your device, outlet, control device(switch or outlet) and possibility your house!
Sorry Paul, I do not know of any books that cover todays technology.
The four protocals you mention "x10 upb zwave and insteon"
x10, upb and insteon are all power line communications (PLC), ex. they send signals over the existing wiring in your home to devices connected to them.
zwave uses a RF (radio) interface and does not depend on he power lines to communicate. but people with metal studs or wire with stucco walls may report por com/lower signal strength.
The other option like you mentioned is a hardwired technique. every switch you want to control needs communications wires run to them, back to a central point, most people use cat5/6 for this. it DOES NOT get connected directly to your computer network, but back to a central controller. because it is hard wired it is more robust, and less likely to have interference with other devices. but the PLC devices have come a long ways from the X-10 where they would only work 1/10th of the time you wanted them to.....
Also one warning. what ever you do DO NOT set an outlet to be dim able. eventually some one will plug something in that is not suposed to be dimmed and you will smoke either your device, outlet, control device(switch or outlet) and possibility your house!
Thanks todd.. thanks for info bro
But i am getting confused at what technology i should use... x10 is old bit slow but its cheap and easy to install, zwave is a good option too cause everything is wireless and should be easy to install as well but its bit more exp than x10 and structured wiring is maybe the best option as you said above but its devices are limited and are very expensive and its going to be labor extensive to install
Now at the moment i am thinking to control everything via computer software like homeseer or someother software (dont know much other companies providing software like this) which gives you bit of option to do program it the way u want and gives a remote access
Also i am thinking to start from controlling lights in few room and then slowly extend it to other rooms and install motion sensors---> install speakers around home---> will use them to welcome and not sure other things---> want to do something about doors which tells me what doors and windows are open and closed----> then home security alarms and cameras around house then start controlling other devices like LCD home-theater etc.. etc i had these things in my mind at the moment... but more ideas will join in along the way, suggest me what more can be done... i want to start doing it slowly over the time.
I was thinking may be the best option will be to combine all the technologies(let me know if i am wrong) and some software (like homeseer) which gives options of using them together
Another thing buying a controller will be expensive so that is the reason i am thinking about using computer.... let me know if am wrong here..
