Wire in Swiches and Outlets

[oldchachie]

I'd like to add some automation to my garage and house. I see insteon has a pretty good setup for controlling lights and outlets, using their equipment which ultimately communicates without adding any other wiring, I'm not sure if their wireless, or if they send signals back through the 110v wiring. So either way, I'm looking at their switches which look like they are about $50 each, which seems a bit steep. I've got my walls opened up right now, and I'm wondering if theres a cheaper solution maybe a wired application or if insteon is the way to go.
For example, I would like to shut the lights off in my garage from my elk controller. I'm wondering if theres a type of switch that I could wire a 12 or 24 volt signal wire to as well as the 110v for the fixture which will turn the fixture on or off. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[oberkc]

I'm not sure if their wireless, or if they send signals back through the 110v wiring.

Through the 110V wiring

they are about $50 each, which seems a bit steep.

Insteon is near the bottom of the automation pricing, I understand. You could still try X-10. These are the least expensive, but you may have to put some effort in to get them to work for you.

I've got my walls opened up right now, and I'm wondering if theres a cheaper solution maybe a wired application or if insteon is the way to go.

Wired is still a good way to go, but is completely inflexible once complete. Neither can standard wall switches/wiring methods communicate with an elk controller. I don't use the elk system, but if it communicates with insteon devices, I believe you will be happy with insteon. Just be aware that initial installation of insteon may require the ability to communicate between electrical legs of your power system. This will require some combination of "dual band" devices. Access points are good choices for this. Of course, this will continue to drive your price up a bit.