"were used in the last century. Like some other technical innovations in household use, they moved from military competence, where they were actively used in secret bunkers and military bases.

A smart home is an automated coordinator of the operation of all technical devices that your home is equipped with.

For a long time, housing with technically advanced control systems remained an incredibly expensive whim of the elite. And only in the last decade have concepts that were previously known to us only from science fiction films actually been realized and become accessible.

What technical devices are usually used in a modern apartment?

• Lighting systems;
• Air conditioning, purification and humidification systems;
• Audio-video equipment;
• Security equipment and other functions.

The capabilities of a smart home, like the functions of a conductor, ensure the coordinated operation of all components and allows the owners to conveniently control the “orchestra”.

"Brains" of a smart home

They are truly technically advanced - microprocessor controllers provide information processing and control of specific elements. Uninterrupted power supply is provided by power supplies and UPS, information is transmitted via IR transceivers, relay models turn household appliances on and off, dimming modules regulate the smoothness of lighting control.

• General control of all functions of a smart home occurs using panels remote control.

Such panels exist in the form of stationary and portable models. Portable video panels are most convenient to use due to their mobility and the ability to visually control the necessary processes. The control panel function can also be performed by a computer, Internet tablet, smartphone and similar devices.

• You can manage the technical equipment of your apartment and exercise general control from anywhere in the world using the Internet.

Using a microprocessor controller, apartment owners can program the execution of the tasks (scenarios) they need.

Scenarios can be simple - turning on the air conditioner when a certain air temperature is reached, or complex - turning on the TV while closing the curtains and adjusting the local lighting.

Smart home subsystems

A smart home is divided into separate subsystems, the main ones of which are lighting, home cinema, multiroom, climate control, security.

Let's look at each in more detail.

Lighting system

Controls individual lamps and their groups, sets desired mode work, regulates the degree of illumination. Using the remote control you can turn off unused this moment lighting sources and, conversely, turn them on in the right places. Remotely, you can create the illusion that the owners are in the house by setting a scenario for turning on the lights in some rooms.

System capabilities:

• control of all light sources in the house from a single control panel;
• creation of control scenarios depending on time, date, specific event;
• adjusting the switching on and off of lamps;
• brightness percentage adjustment;
• saving lamp life;
• automatic switching on of lamps when entering and switching off when leaving the room.

Climate control

The system controls devices designed for air conditioning, heating, purification, humidification, and ventilation. Coordinated operation of all devices in the specified mode is ensured. Remote control of the climate in the apartment is provided, for example, the ability to set a comfortable temperature before the owners arrive.

System capabilities:

• control of heating and air conditioning devices using a single control panel;
• control of heating and air conditioning devices depending on the season, time, date, specific event;
• the presence of temperature and humidity sensors, depending on the readings of which certain mechanisms regulating the climate are triggered.

Home cinema and multiroom

The system controls devices for playing video and audio signals (TVs, Blu-rey players), as well as related equipment: blinds, curtains, lighting in the viewing room, creating special comfort when watching films.

The multiroom system is responsible for the condition of all audio and video equipment in the entire apartment. With its help, you can watch TV shows and movies, listen to music and radio channels anywhere in the house equipped with necessary kit technology.

System capabilities:

• control all AV equipment in the house using a single control panel;
• control the home theater system with the press of one button;
• smooth control of lighting on and off;
• turning on and off AV equipment depending on the date, time, a certain event, sensor activation, or pressing a bell.

Safety system

A multifunctional system that promptly responds to all “alarm signals” in the house, provides remote control over events occurring in the house, turns on the alarm system, monitors fire safety, as well as security in the field of communal house systems.

System capabilities:

• security and fire alarms, which can turn on automatically after the owners leave the house;
• remote control or cell phone;
• notification on remote computer or mobile phone about emergency situations;
• protection of several zones;
• access control to the premises, including remote control;
• alarm system to prevent water leaks and flooding;
• alarm system that prevents electricity and gas leaks.

Preparing to install a smart home

Installing a complex smart home system is not an easy task. It is necessary to start solving it as early as possible, preferably at the stage of designing a future home. Thinking through future system must be produced in collaboration between the owners and the architect, designer and designer of the smart home system. It is very important to think ahead necessary functions, subject to automation.

• What lighting schemes do you plan to use?
• How many lamps are you going to use in different areas, what types of lamps?
• what scenarios are supposed to be used (night lighting, air conditioning stopping when a window is opened, etc.)
• Which rooms will be included in climate control or multi-room systems?
• Where will the sensors monitoring smoke and leaks be located?
• where will the security cameras and intercom be located?
• How will it be more convenient for you to control: from a mobile or stationary remote control?

Smart home system equipment

Main manufacturers:

• AMX, Crestron (USA)
• ABB, Gira (Germany)
• Legrand, Schneider Electric (France)

The equipment can be used as wired (reliable, safe, expensive, installed in advance) and wireless (less reliable, the possibility of signal distortion and interception, installation after completion of repairs).

When purchasing equipment, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer and quality, which largely depends on the assembly. Luxury configurations are much more expensive, but are distinguished by specialized programming, individual design, and a convenient and functional control panel.

Collaboration with the smart home system installer will not end after its installation. In the future, it is quite possible that you will want to modernize it taking into account new products.

Since the installation of a smart home system is carried out at the initial stage of a major overhaul, it is very important that all work is completed accurately, efficiently and on time. This is exactly the kind of high-quality work that you are guaranteed at the TopDom construction company.

Materials on the topic of the article

Epidemic smart devices is spreading rapidly throughout the world. In our time, things have acquired intelligence that previously would have been impossible to suspect. The whole house and individual objects in it become smart. We have collected 7 household appliances, which have recently received the prefix "smart".

Smart refrigerator

Smart refrigerators are a real godsend for those people who love to eat tasty and satisfying meals. These devices have received a lot of useful functions in the household, most of which are based on the presence of a touch display in the body of this device.

Using this screen, the user can get information about the freshness of the food inside, find recipes on the Internet using the ingredients available in the refrigerator, or even work as an electronic photograph.

The user can synchronize his smart refrigerator with a smartphone to remotely find out about the presence of certain products inside. Interestingly, the device itself can be programmed in such a way that it automatically purchases the missing food from online stores and delivers it to your home.

There are also smart refrigerator models with a built-in camera that takes a photo of you every time you open the door and then places the resulting photo on the screen or even in in social networks user.

Smart refrigerators cost significantly more than their “unintelligent” counterparts. For example, the price for samsung device T9000 LCD is 4000 US dollars.

Smart vacuum cleaner

Modern technologies save us from many household chores, which previously took a lot of time and effort. For example, a person no longer needs to vacuum cleaner himself, because this task can be done by a vacuum cleaner.

Usually we are talking about a compact, fairly thin device that can autonomously move across the floor, sucking up debris and dust, while reaching even the farthest corners of the room.

At the same time, the smart vacuum cleaner itself knows the place of its wireless charging and approaches it as the task is completed or when it has a small amount of energy left in the batteries.

It has become possible to control new models of smart vacuum cleaners using smartphones, remotely causing them to work or even transmitting images from the cleaning site.

The most popular smart vacuum cleaner on the market is the iRobot Roomba. The price for such a device starts at $400.

Smart table

The famous company IKEA introduced in 2015 several interior items that can be called “smart”. The most popular of them will most likely be a line of tables.

Smart furniture from IKEA, of course, does not know how to order food or remove garbage itself, but it will appeal to people who cannot imagine life without mobile devices– tablet computers and smartphones.

After all, these IKEA tables have built-in systems wireless charging mobile devices. You just need to put the phone in the place marked with a cross, and after a while its batteries will be full of energy again.

The cost of “smart” furniture will differ by 20 euros from the price of similar interior items without Qi-charging.

Smart mirror

The fairy-tale mirror, to which one can turn with the question “Am I the cutest in the world?” has finally acquired a real embodiment. Several companies immediately began producing similar devices for the bathroom and hallway.

Smart mirrors can work as a display on which the user can read the news, find out the weather forecast, view email etc.

Such a mirror can also become a fitness trainer who knows how to control a person’s correct performance of physical exercises and even an adviser in terms of clothing and style.

One of the first smart mirrors on the market was a device called Cybertecture Mirror. Its cost is 5 thousand US dollars.

Smart lock

A modern person may forget his keys at home, but he is unlikely to forget his mobile phone - without it it is impossible to survive in a big city. This feature was used by the creators of a device called Lockitron.

Lockitron is a smart lock for your home or office that uses your mobile phone as a key. By downloading a special application to your smartphone and logging into the system, you can control access to the premises with just one swipe of a finger on the screen.

At the same time, the owner of the Lockitron lock can provide temporary or permanent access to it to other people - relatives, friends, visitors. True, for this you will still need to know a special password to open the lock - this is protection against the loss or theft of your smartphone.

The Lockitron smart lock system costs US$149.

Smart toilet

In terms of design complexity and abundance of possibilities, a modern toilet is gradually approaching the International Space Station. As a clear proof of this, we can cite a device called Regio Smart Toilet.

Regio Smart Toilet has automatic system dual flush, deodorization system, infrared anti-bacteria system, automatic closing and opening of the lid and rim (so the user no longer has to touch them with his hands), interior lighting, and audio speakers.

It also comes with an innovative control system for all these functions, which is built into the toilet paper holder. There is also a router for distributing access to the Internet via the Wi-Fi wireless protocol.

The only disadvantage of the Regio Smart Toilet is that it is incredibly high price. This stunning example of innovative plumbing will cost the buyer $7,000.

Smart coffee maker

In our amazing times, even a person who lives independently can get coffee in bed in the morning. To do this, you just need to buy a smart coffee maker called The Barisieur.

This device is also an alarm clock that can be set to certain time, for example, at 7 am. In this case, this machine will start preparing coffee in advance, approximately 5 minutes before the sound signal sounds.

As a result, a person who has The Barisieur smart coffee maker at home will wake up in the morning not only from the alarm ringing, but also from the smell of fresh, incredibly aromatic coffee.

The Barisieur coffee maker alarm clock costs $415.

Thanks to modern technologies, an ordinary home turns into a smart space in which literally every detail has intelligence. At the same time, there are also separate systems that allow you to connect all the user’s smart devices together. An example of such a solution is a device called .

Smart Home technology is familiar to almost every user of digital devices, so there is little point in talking about the features. Smart home equipment is supplied in two versions - an expensive complex package and in the form of components; in the second case, the system must be assembled with your own hands. Consumers who buy an off-the-shelf package may not understand the features, but tech-savvy buyers already have a good idea of ​​the functionality they want.

“Smart home” in every home – how accessible is the technology?

In practice, the use of Smart Home technology depends on the available equipment and software applications with which you can control installed system. Our review will focus on the components offered on the market, and will discuss both price and technical availability.

Readers can choose between inexpensive equipment that provides all the functionality they need, and more expensive systems that offer advanced features, high reliability and security. Both options are available to a wide range of consumers and do not require huge investments.

Available solutions – what are they?

Today you can choose between the following offers:

• specialized Chinese-made equipment and mobile API applications, the level of reliability of which can be improved due to inexpensive Russian-made equipment also produced in China and various desktop systems;
• Russian components that allow you to assemble almost any complex Smart Home solution with the required level of reliability and protection, made by yourself with independently programmable PC-based functions, expandable on a modular basis;

First, let's figure out where to start and how to choose components for your Smart Home. Note that the functionality of the system can be expanded as needed in one or another version. The necessary and optimal equipment package allows you to control lighting and turn on/off equipment, usually carried out not only from remote controls, but also software application installed on a PC or on the user's smartphone.

Smart apartment or small house: how to make your life more comfortable?

Available technologies and their features

Objectively, technology has already become a part of our lives. Today, speaking about Smart Home technology, we are talking about the development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. These are devices that can be connected to the Internet via wired or wireless channels, in the second case via Wi-Fi (with an average range of up to 50, depending on the transmitter) or Bluetooth (up to 10 m).

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are two short-range radio communication standards that are used in home automation systems. Bluetooth can only be used if there is no more than 10 m between the control module and the device, and in practice - no more than 3-5 m. Range wireless transmission Wi-Fi depends on the transmitter and specific installation conditions; radio signals are poorly transmitted by concrete floors.

Despite fairly developed capabilities, manufacturers are not intensively introducing and selling such equipment. The main problem is that the widespread use of technology will lead to an increase in the number of IoT devices that the existing Internet infrastructure is simply not designed for. As a result, those who want to install a Smart Home in their apartment inexpensively will have to understand the intricacies on their own, without relying on large manufacturers.

AliExpress – China will always help out: “Do-it-yourself smart apartment” package

If you want to implement new home automation solutions at low costs, of course, you need to contact manufacturers who sell their products on AliExpress. This portal practically does not offer “Do-it-yourself smart home and how to make” packages, but there is the necessary equipment, which is quite enough for the necessary equipment of an apartment or house.

So, the minimum package of equipment that is available in China at a very affordable cost and applications on the network - let’s call it “Do-it-yourself smart apartment” - includes:

• control of turning on and off household appliances and devices;
• sensory systems;
• lighting control equipment;
• devices for monitoring and security - alarms and video cameras;
• Smartphone API apps available for free on Google Play;
• network cloud applications that make it easier to connect and control home appliances.

Smart Home Equipment on AliExpress

The range of equipment includes relays for connecting devices, dimmers for smooth load control (for lighting and electric heating) and package systems that include control of climate control, lighting, alarms and sometimes a video camera. Full list offers can be obtained by entering “smart home”, “smart home”, “intelligent home”, as well as the names of two Chinese manufacturers Lilovo and Sonoff.

Sonoff releases a Wi-Fi relay for remote control of household appliances from a smartphone. The device is installed on a line with one or more electrical appliances and allows you to turn the power supply on and off from a smartphone using a mobile application.

The advantage of this device is that it is always available online, can be connected via the telephone network (PTSN) and allows you to set an individual work program using 8 built-in timers. Through the relay, you can control the operation of any household appliance with a power of up to 2.2 kW using the eWeLink mobile application, available on Google Play IOS and Android.

Sonoff products are also available in Russia. The price in China is about 6 dollars (without remote control), in Russia - 2000 rubles (with remote control). The relay is offered in two versions for 10 A and 16 A; in the second case, in addition to all kinds of household appliances, a boiler can be connected to the mobile application.

Other models of electrical accessories work similarly, allowing you to connect several devices at once, for example, Sonoff Sensor-AM2301. Moreover, control is implemented with different timer values.

The manufacturer produces three models of Sonoff Wi-Fi relays:

• Sonoff World On – Wi-Fi relay with connection to a mobile application (for household appliances and cameras);
• Sonoff World On TF – Wi-Fi relay with sensors, for example, for a climate control system (for boilers and air conditioners);
• Sonoff World On RF – Wi-Fi relay with remote control, for example, for gates and doors with magnetic locks.

Sonoff also produces touch-sensitive dimmer switches for lighting devices with continuous adjustment, which can simultaneously be connected to Wi-Fi and a mobile application.

For devices to be accessible on the Internet, they must be connected using one of the available methods. One of the successful and inexpensive options is the Broadlink home automation router, which supports 4 types wireless communication WI-FI, IR, RF and 4G.

With it you can connect all home devices via a SIM card to mobile internet. It is better to choose the services of an operator with a new communications infrastructure, in particular, one of the MTS packages with per-megabyte pricing.

XIAOMI produces a whole range of relays, dimmers, sensors for home automation. First of all, you should pay attention to Wi-Fi humidity and temperature sensors, door and window sensors, smart sockets and inexpensive IP cameras. The equipment of this company is distinguished by its simplicity and affordability along with high build quality.

The manufacturer produces package solutions for apartments and small houses - this is Xiaomi Smart Home Suite. This package is widely offered in Russia and belongs to the luxury equipment category. The price category of these sensors is slightly higher than devices from Sonoff.

Lilovo touch switches only work with remote controls. Their key feature is the ability to smoothly adjust the lighting, elegant design and different color options. Switches from this company can be used to turn on and off household devices without an internet connection.

Wi-Fi relays from Russian manufacturers

In China you can purchase products from Russian manufacturers who assemble electrical accessories on a Chinese base. Russian Smart Home DC Wi-Fi relays are available at a lower cost than Sonoff, and are considered more reliable and accurately pick up the signal. The consumer disadvantage of the Smart Home relay is the absence of a plastic case, but this is the simplest, most reliable and inexpensive way to integrate household devices.

API applications for smartphones on Google Play

• eWeLink is an application that allows you to connect a seemingly unlimited number of Smart Home devices and supports products from Sonoff and a number of manufacturers. The disadvantages include some latency in Russian networks; it is advisable to connect to the application through the interface of a mobile provider, and not wired PTSN (public telephone network) channels.
• Smart Home from Alltek Technology Corp. - this is another universal mobile app, to which you can connect lighting devices, alarms, heating and a number of other home devices. Some users o this application reviews better than eWeLink.

On Google Play you can download a whole range of mobile applications for connecting home automation devices, differing in different levels of versatility and stability.

Home automation devices can be connected using local PC-based and cloud-based applications. Each of these options has a number of advantages. Applications in the “cloud” are designed for low-cost use of Smart Home technology with a wide range of functions, but in such systems the issue of security and unauthorized access to home devices remains open.

Stationary package offers in a secure cloud environment or for PCs are designed for automation of country houses, public buildings and institutions. This application guarantees a high level of security and reliability.

Smart Home Applications:

• Bitdefender is a packaged application for securely connecting home automation devices, which allows you to safely use the functions of any external cloud;
• Friendly-tech.com offers a range of home automation products including IoT device management with an admin console and user interface via mobile services, including using the cloud (IoT SaaS)
• IoT Home Guide is available as a package for fairly large home automation systems, as well as through API applications from partners OpenHAB, Home Assistant and Eclipse SmartHome.

Clouds "Smart Home":

• Sharp Cloud Smarthome System is a developed cloud system for home automation; an arbitrarily complex automation system for both a home and an entire neighborhood can be built on it;
• Cloud Based IoT Platform GO+ is a Russian free platform with a small number of users.

Russian equipment from the company “Reasonable House” is distinguished by high reliability and build quality. The manufacturer offers various electrical accessories, sensors, and relays for building arbitrarily complex systems using Smart Home technology with a guaranteed level of security. The devices allow you to create home automation systems with an individual set of functions; software is available for mobile devices, PCs and tablets.

Video instructions for assembling and operating the Smart Home

Conclusion

The equipment we have described will allow you to create various solutions for the automation of residential premises and household plots, ranging from inexpensive budget solutions for apartments to full automation of large country houses. It is worth noting that web platforms for managing home automation devices are not currently being developed due to a concept problem.

Buyers are offered to install local systems PC-based or create private clouds managed by ready-made applications. The user can choose for himself and assemble the most suitable option for automating an apartment or house.

Even in the last century, many science fiction writers presented the concept of a fully automated residential building in their novels. “Smart” household appliances do all the necessary work, freeing up time for relaxation and other daily activities. Of course, humanity has not yet achieved such a result, but we can say with confidence that the creation of a full-fledged “smart home” is not far off. Already now a large number of household appliances from different manufacturers supports the possibility remote control, it is enough to have a regular smartphone at hand.

Even in the last century, many science fiction writers presented the concept of a fully automated residential building in their novels. “Smart” household appliances do all the necessary work, freeing up time for relaxation and other daily activities. Of course, humanity has not yet achieved such a result, but we can say with confidence that the creation of a full-fledged “smart home” is not far off. Already, a large number of household appliances from different manufacturers support the possibility of remote control; it is enough to have a regular smartphone at hand. In this article, I presented the most interesting, in my opinion, options for household appliances that can be controlled via a smartphone connected to the Internet.

Climate control

As in any market, the “SmartHome” niche has its leaders, cheaper analogues and outsiders. Well-known manufacturers offer high-quality and functional products, but most often they cost too much money, forcing the average buyer to look for cheaper options. Fortunately, there are now a large number of relatively inexpensive and functional devices on the market.

For example, the miniature weather station CliMate is capable of highly accurate monitoring of air humidity, temperature and ultraviolet radiation levels, and then synchronizes with a mobile application on iOS and Android devices every 15 minutes and transmits statistical information.

Honeywell Smart Thermostat with using Wi-Fi synchronizes with your smartphone, after which you can control it using special application. The device is also capable of analyzing data from your smartphone and adjusting to maintain a certain climate, and if the owner leaves the house, the thermostat starts working to save electricity.

Another important device for maintaining a microclimate is an air purifier. Recently, Xiaomi introduced its own air purifier model with remote control, which features a minimalist design and the function of purifying air from formaldehyde.

Lighting

An attribute that every home has is a lamp. So why not get creative when purchasing these small but important appliances? For example, interesting option can become LED smart lamps with the ability to connect to home network Wi-Fi.

There are a large number of such lamps on the market. This is also “smart” LED lamp from LIFX with the ability to adjust the brightness of the light throughout the day, LED smart lamps with adjustable warmth of light from TP-Link, LED lamp Hue Connected Bulb from Philips and many others. IKEA recently introduced a cheaper alternative to Phillips lamps - TradFri smart lamps, compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit platforms with voice control.

Electricity

If you decide to gradually create your own “smart” home, then you should pay attention to smart sockets. The situation here is approximately the same as with lamps. Many companies do not hesitate to copy from each other, take away and add features, and reduce prices in order to remain in an advantageous position among competitors. Today there are two types of such sockets on the market: stationary, installed directly instead of a regular socket, and overhead modules.

Among the popular inexpensive models with the ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network are: BroadLink sockets, D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug, as well as a smart socket from SonoFF. With these devices, you can turn on or off any electrical appliance, adjust the time it turns on/off, and much more, anywhere in the world using your smartphone and the Internet.

Safety

Today, to feel safe, there are not only durable steel doors, but also special locks with a hybrid unlocking method and the ability to synchronize with a smartphone. Most often, such locks can be opened in three ways: mechanically using a key, a digital PIN code entered on a digital display or through a mobile application. Locks can be made in both classic and non-standard versions. In the second case, the device will have stylish design, pin pad, keyhole and nothing more.

Speaking of security, in addition to locks, for some reason the picture of CCTV cameras immediately appears. As with other areas of the smart home, there are also a ton of price tags. One of the most practical and budget models today is the Xiaomi Yi Ants Smart camera. An extremely simple device for daytime video surveillance of a room, which connects to the application via Wi-Fi with the ability voice message. A more serious option in terms of quality and capabilities is the Canary video surveillance camera with a high level of data encryption with integrated sensors for humidity, light, motion, temperature, etc. The camera performs well in both daytime and nighttime with support for iOS and Android devices. An alternative to CCTV cameras is door peepholes. The SkyBell WiFi model allows you to synchronize with your smartphone via Wi-Fi and when guests arrive, receive a notification and communicate with them from anywhere in the apartment.

If it makes no sense for you to buy devices such as CCTV cameras or smart locks separately, then you should purchase a universal security system, of which there are now dozens on the market. For example, the Senti system can replace a CCTV camera, a weather station, a motion sensor and a voice communication system.

Other household appliances

Of course, security systems, smart light bulbs and Wi-Fi sockets are good, but what home would be complete without classic household appliances? But even in this case, manufacturers offer a wide range of “smart appliances” for the home. The Midea three-stage water purification filter has a dedicated chip for monitoring the operation of the system and communicating with a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. The device is capable of continuously monitoring temperature and general mineralization of water, and then transmitting this data to a smartphone. Recently, Xiaomi introduced a kettle-thermostat, with the ability to control via a smartphone. The kettle has the function of maintaining a constant temperature of 1.5 liters of water for 12 hours.

In many homes, it is customary to clean the entire apartment weekly. But you must admit, it is much more convenient to maintain cleanliness than to restore it from the beginning. Robotic vacuum cleaners are perfect for these purposes; they will clean on their own in your absence and then go to the charging station. There are many models of such vacuum cleaners, but not all have the ability to control using a smartphone via home Wi-Fi network. Miniature models of robotic vacuum cleaners, both from little-known Chinese companies and well-known brands such as Xiaomi and iRobot, have gained the greatest popularity.

Agree, it’s convenient when you can start the wash before coming into the house and at the same time be sure that no leakage has occurred during operation of the machine. Washing machine Candy Smart Touch is capable of turning on and sending messages to the user, synchronizing with the application on the smartphone via Wi-Fi.

If we are talking about “smart” household appliances It’s hard to pass by the already sensational Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator, presented at CES-2016. Using a large built-in tablet, you can control the refrigerator: give commands, change temperature conditions, make a grocery list and much more.

The interactive system can also be controlled using a smartphone. For example, when you are in a supermarket and forgot what you need to buy, using the built-in camera and wireless communication, the refrigerator can transmit images freezers to your smartphone.

Light switches

The light switch is familiar to every person; it is a simple, reliable, ingenious invention. Products with such a long history are difficult to improve, much less significantly improve their performance. But now, the era of “smart homes” has arrived, and all household appliances are moving to a new technical level.

A “smart” switch is no different from a “stupid” one; it is installed in a standard box. This is where the similarities end, the circuit breaker is connected to the smart home system and performs a wide range of functions. Similar to dimmers, it adjusts the brightness of a lamp. Can receive control commands from remote controls. The remote control is smaller in size than a cell phone and allows you to control eight switches.

Average cost per circuit breaker and remote control is 10-15 dollars. The main difference from television remote controls, whose operation is based on the transmission of infrared rays, is that light remote controls operate in the radio range. This is very convenient, since there is no need to send the signal to the receiver; it can be invisible or deliberately hidden. The installation location of the radio switch does not affect the quality of its operation.

Modern multi-channel switches control lighting fixtures using X10 standard commands, while lamp sockets are equipped with special adapters and can be programmed to operate in soft start/stop mode, that is, after switching on, the lamp gradually gains brightness, which extends its service life and saves energy .

To increase comfort, universal remote controls are available. They allow you to control the entire set of “smart” household appliances (TV, record player, kettle, music Center, etc.) All this equipment must be connected through a pass-through electrical device- relay module.

Motion sensors

The motion sensor is triggered by any movement in the viewing sector and sends a control signal to the actuator, this can be a lighting device, sound signal and so on. It is very convenient to install a motion sensor to turn on street lighting. Upon entering the courtyard, country house, it will turn on the light for you; a regular switch is usually installed in the corridor and is useless in such cases. Modern motion sensors are equipped with a light sensor, which prevents the lights from being turned on during the daytime.

Currently, the cost of motion sensors has decreased significantly and ranges from fifteen to seventy dollars, all depending on the manufacturer and technical characteristics(view sector size and light sensor included).

Reed switches, gas pollution, rain sensors.

Another type of sensor is used in a “smart home” - a reed switch (sealed contact), which works in tandem with a magnet. When the magnetic strip approaches, the sensor contacts close. This type of device is used to monitor the position of doors, windows, etc. In system burglar alarm Reed switches are not replaceable, although it is easy to come up with another purpose for them.

A variety of control sensors are used to control fire, the principle of operation is varied, some are triggered by the burnout of the control element, others are turned on when the temperature rises, the smoke sensor gives a signal when the brightness of the infrared beam decreases.

Rain sensors are used in irrigation systems or as alarms in case of flooding. The model that is widely used is the Mini-Clik, the price is about eighty dollars, the operating voltage is 24 volts. The hygroscopic head is the sensitive element. When humidity increases, it increases in size and switches on contacts; when it dries, the reverse operation occurs. The design of the device allows you to adjust the sensitivity over a wide range.

The gas sensor reacts to the content of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide in the air; a signal is sent when the concentration of gases is not yet critical. The control signal can be used to turn on a sound or light signal or close a valve on the gas supply line. The cost of devices of this type (Cofem Keepergas Detector model) is approximately eighty dollars. For proper operation the sensor must be placed as recommended by the manufacturer.

Automation of basic systems will significantly increase the comfort and safety of your home. Which devices should be automated is up to you to determine!