I don't understand this HA panel thing

[aslamma]

I only interface my components directly to my comp and not that interested in security. But are there other reasons to get a panel? Not too worried about battery backup since 90% interface with the pc so if it goes down, I'm done anyway.

But here is the thing. Been wanting to give z-wave a shot, but have not settled on homeseer, cqc or j9. They all need different computer controllers so I don't want to buy a bunch of diff hardware for that. But they all support hai and elk panels. Can I then just use the panels to connect to the comp and don't need any other special z-wave hardware? Or does it not work like that? I thought a z-wave node needed to be added near the controller so not sure how that would work. I just don't fully understand these panels and how to work with them for the diff software options.

 

[pete_c]

The panels are both HA and Security together.

So to get HA you don't need a panel; you can also use a computer.

The two mentioned here are Elk and HAI. They both are similiar and different and will "speak" to a number of powerline protocols.

They do not come with the powerline interfaces but come with the ability to speak to the powerline interface. You can purchase "package" deals with the powerline interfaces.

Having a panel with its connections (security (IR), outputs, powerline, etc) gives you another methodology for HA. You can connect to the panel with a PC and control all of its features. The connection to a powerline module (controller) is similiar for the three HA software applications you mentioned. You typically connect the powerline controller to the PC and use an application to talk to it much like the two panels mentioned. The powerline controller typically is the same module whether you utilize it with the HA software or with the panel.

For UPB I have a USB controller that I leave plugged into my office PC and two serial UPB controllers (connected to panel and connected to HA PC) - a bit overkill but allows me more options.
For Insteon I have one controller plugged into my HA server. It only speaks Insteon. On the X-10 side I have an X-10 controller plugged into my panel and it only speaks X-10.
For Z-Wave I have only one controller plugged into my HA server.

I put separate breakers for each controller outlet adjacent to the fuse panel. They all communicate pretty well to the house powerline switches. I take advantage of the PIR's connected to the panel by polling these and creating variables for each one in the HA box. Both the HA box and panel run events based on the PIR's.

I like my HA server (HSPro) because I can get into some detailed events - then provide status to me in numerous ways. (text, email and internet pages). On the other hand most of the lighting events are set up on the HAI panel and a few on the HSPro software.

 

[AutomateIt]

But here is the thing. Been wanting to give z-wave a shot, but have not settled on HomeSeer, cqc or j9. They all need different computer controllers ...

All of these software packages should work with the same Z-Wave controller. I know if you like Z-Wave HomeSeer has put a whole lot of effort into Z-Wave and UPB. I use HomeSeer and the new Schlage Z-Wave locks and absolutely love them. I can now have HomeSeer remind me to lock the doors if I forget to at night.

 

[aslamma]

I get the powerline stuff for the most part.

Does the software just need to be connected to the panel and then i don't need to worry about what happens on the other side? For example, as long as I have any zwave controller on the panel then the software will work with it?

So for example, I can use the z-stick or z-troller in homeseer, but j9 only uses the leviton vizia. Would those plug in to the panel or would you get a different z-wAve controller for that? Maybe I need a flowchart kinda thing to show me how it all connects up.

 

[pete_c]

You configure the panel to talk to the controller just like you do with HA software (like HSPro). The software is built into the panel. Typically (at least for UPB side) its the same controller with a specific serial cable. For the HAI panel it looks like a typical RJ-11 4 wire cable and plugs. The panel has serial ports. Each one can be configured for a differnt device. Here is the configuration for my serial links - I am using an X10 and UPB controller. There is an application to talk and save your configs for the panel called PCAccess. For HSPro its a gui that you configure. Picture is also attached.

 

[Dean Roddey]

If the panel supports the device, you can connect it via the panel, and the automation software can interact with it via the panel. So it will allow both of them to interact with it. However, in some cases, the interface through the panel can be more simplicist than the one provided by the automation software, so it might expose less functionality of the device.