It is easy to do home automation on your own. You need to get some cash, hit the aisle in the hardware store to purchase equipment and you are on the road to automation.
Doing home automation on your own is easy. You need to get some cash,
hit the aisle in the hardware store to purchase equipment and you are on the road to automation.
Start with automating the lighting system around your home. It is easier to work with and hence most people start their do-it-yourself home automation projects with it. As you get hands-on experience with home automation, you can progress on to more advance projects such as automating your home theatre.
The good thing about do it yourself home automation is that you know more about your needs and requirements around the house and can have a tailored smart home.
There are two ways you can go about the task of having an electronic home:
· Starter kits
· Assembling your own home automation system
Starter Kits
For beginners, starter kits are the best option. You need to struggle with several individual products. Starter kits for a lighting system consists of switches, plug in module (to control the device, in this case the lights) and a remote or touch interface.
Assembling an automation system for a smart home
There are many steps involved here. Let's go through them one by one.
Choosing software: This will act as a foundation for the entire home automation. It integrates the different automated systems around your tech home. Two of the recommended soft wares are Activehome and Powerhome. Activhome allows you to control appliances from your computer. It is available through X10, home automation hardware manufacturer. Powerhome is for advanced users and lets you build timed sequences and routines to suit your needs. When buying newer devices, make sure that backward compatibility exists, so that your newer devices work with the old.
Choosing software for a customized system: If you want to go for weather monitoring for instance, you will have to buy software for it, such as Virtual Weather Station. This home technology acts as a bridge between the basic software (e.g. Powerhome) and the weather stations (which are climate sensors).
Choosing hardware: The hardware, installed at the electronic home, will carry out the commands given by the system. Hardware will include the following components:
Server: It gives commands and can include from plug-in controllers and timers to computers.
Interface: Needed to connect computer to electrical wiring and the modules to computer.
Module: Receives commands for the devices. Types include appliances module and light modules.
Other equipment includes switches, motion sensors and remote switches.
