Home Automation Questions

Post by **evanes** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:35 am

Hi,

I am also just starting with the subject of domotica. I have started some experiments using klikaan klikuit (home easy) for light control with rfxcom for pc interface.

I would like to create a system where I can control many modules from a pc, night lighting outside, movement detection, curtain control at dusk and dawn, web cam control. Some problems I have already solved: Curtain control between harrison and rfxcom is very easy for instance. But for many others I hardly know where to begin.

The problems I am now facing is choosing the right lighting control system. Perhaps someone here can help me in the right direction....

What I think I want (this is a wish list, compromise is possible):
- 2 way communication, I want to send a command and I want to know the status.
- Functionality in commands: on, off
- Functionality in commands: set dim level to x. Also I want modules to remember last dim level.
- Hardware functionality: connect to wall switch for manual operation of on/off/dim
- Must be reliable (this issue is perhaps solved by 2 way communication)
- Quick (does not have to be instant but should not be slow as a snail)
- Programming possibility (would like to program driver myself.)
- Computer interface prefer ethernet ( I use vmware, usb or serial can be done but I prefer ethernet)
- Modification in Electrical installation possible
- Modification in Electrical house wiring not possible (have just completely redecorated my house, and yes I know I should have thought of domotica before that....)

What I have already found....
- X10 is not for me, it is unreliable and slow.
- Xanura looks good but is slow and expensive due to my 3 fase electrical system, and 3 fase makes it even more slow.
- RF systems first looked "unprofessional" but
- KlikAan KlikUit works but is limited in 2 way communication and set dim level.
- rfxcom have excellent ethernet functionality for send and receive of commands.

Looking for information on:
- Moeller XComfort, seems to have 2 way and set dim level. But have not found any programming/protocol info..
- I am not an electrician but I understand that I cannot add a xanura actor in a "hotel schakeling" when there are only "switch wires" (schakeldraad)?
- When I have a switch directly connected to a light, can I then safely add a xanura actor, even when there is no blue wire? (I seem to think so...)

Any information to get me on the right track will be very much appreciated!

thank you

Evert

Post by **Jfn** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:28 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">- I am not an electrician but I understand that I cannot add a xanura actor in a "hotel schakeling" when there are only "switch wires" (schakeldraad)?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Correct. Besides providing power to the modules, the blue (N) and brown(L) wire are also used to transmit the PLC signals.
X10, A10, Xanura etc all use PLC (Power Line Communication) signals at 120KHz to transmit information. The reason for PLC being relatively 'slow' is that signals can only be transmitted during the 'zero-crossing' of the AC power.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">- When I have a switch directly connected to a light, can I then safely add a xanura actor, even when there is no blue wire? (I seem to think so...)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No, you do need N (normal --> blue wire) and L (phase --> brown) wire for the reasons I mentioned above.

A hotel-schakeling is possible with one actor only. Search the forum, I know it is mentioned somewhere.

As for pricing of the modules, I too have a 3-phase installation and did a quick calculation to know how much it would cost me to fit all light-switches with an Xanura SAIX12 actor. I would need 14 actors. Including a phase-coupler, a CTX35 computer interface and 3 filters it would set me back nearly 3000 euros. I find those Xanura modules are overpriced. But then again, what is the alternative?

Als het niet gerepareerd kan worden dan is het niet kapot!

Post by **l0rien** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:48 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Jfn
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">- I am not an electrician but I understand that I cannot add a xanura actor in a "hotel schakeling" when there are only "switch wires" (schakeldraad)?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Correct. Besides providing power to the modules, the blue (N) and brown(L) wire are also used to transmit the PLC signals.
X10, A10, Xanura etc all use PLC (Power Line Communication) signals at 120KHz to transmit information. The reason for PLC being relatively 'slow' is that signals can only be transmitted during the 'zero-crossing' of the AC power.

A hotel-schakeling is possible with one actor only. Search the forum, I know it is mentioned somewhere.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

To clarify: You can create a 'wisselschakeling' or 'kruisschakeling' with just 1 DAIX12 or SAIX12. You will only need the neutral in one of the two switches. See the picture below originating from this topic([http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=813])

The DAIX12 and SAIX12 are local actor and interface. Because of this, pressing the switch locally is very fast with only a small delay for the relais to switch, hardly noticable.