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You may have been forced out of your easy chair to take that famous family vacation and felt the need to have your lights automatically turned on to give your home that lived in look.
Perhaps you're just too lazy to get off your butt and turn that damn kitchen light off. Whatever your need, there's a answer...
The most
popular solution is by X-10 USA Activehome. Their modules have
essentially become an industry standard. Radio Shack, IBM, RCA
and X-10 themselves are just some of the companies making compatible
modules.
Basically,
there are a variety of modules you can plug into an outlet. Then
you plug whatever item, a lamp or appliance perhaps, into the
module. You then plug a controller into another outlet somewhere
else in your home and by pressing a button on the controller you
can control the item. Many modules allow dimming or controlling
the device on a timer.
You can also control items through RF (radio frequency) controllers that look just like a TV remote control or a car alarm key chain.
Check back here for automation projects and stories from other people.
Your best bet is to purchase a small set at your local Radio Shack to insure the system will work in your home or apartment. X-10 modules work using your existing lines in your home and all homes are wired a little differently. Once you get the set try varying the location of both the item you want to control and the controller itself. That way you can be sure you can expand your system in the future.
Basic X-10 controllers only work one-way. That is, the controller sends a signal to a module, and that's it. New modules, called X-10 PRO by some, are two-way and a controller can also ask for the status of a module. Some of the newest fancy devices and controllers need the two-way style to work properly, some do not.
The Linksys HomeLink Phoneline 10M network starter kit offers connectivity between two PCs over a
home's existing phone lines so there's no extra hardware to buy. Every standard telephone jack in the
home is capable of hosting a PC, thus transforming the home's telephone wiring into an easily expandable
network. The Linksys starter kit uses new HomePNA-compliant technology that allows your phone line to
carry computer data as well as regular telephone voice service simultaneously. You can talk on the
telephone, share files, and share resources such as a cable modem or DSL connection at 10 Mbps
all at the same time.
Rex - an X-10 compatible module that uses motion detection and barks like a dog.
Hal 2000 - allows your system to accept voice commands.
Controllers that can operate your blinds and drapes.
X-10 USA Activehome - good information and some great online deals!
Some magazines on the web include Popular Home Automation and Electronic House, both provide some excellent ideas and how-to's on getting your house wired.
Home Automation Systems, Inc. is the biggest single source we could find for all your home automation needs and they just came out with their new catalog. Check out the new patio door opener on page 129!
While we haven't had a chance to order from them yet, Quiller tells us that Advanced Services has some great deals. And we agree, let us know what you think of these guys!
Talk back:
If you've had any experience, good or bad, while wiring your home or dealing with any of the companies we've mentioned, please let us know!
