The smart home system is an integrated device for managing all engineering networks. Thanks to modern technologies that create engineering systems, you can combine them using a single control center. If you don’t know how to make a “smart home” with your own hands and configure its operation in the most efficient way, you can familiarize yourself with a detailed description of the system’s operating features using instructions and videos posted on the Internet.
Advantages of using wireless technologies for a smart home system
The main advantages of using the system " smart House"The following may be included:
- short time for installation and debugging of the circuit- when creating a system, there is no need to lay wires, thereby reducing the cost of consumables and labor
- minimal damage to the finishing of the apartment- the use of wireless technologies allows us to almost completely eliminate installation and construction work
- “smart home” works when sensors are installed at any point - this feature allows you to obtain the most accurate indicators of the condition of each object
- network configuration flexibility- due to the absence of wires, there is no binding of interior objects and work groups to a specific location
- ease of system expansion- installation of new touch sensors does not entail global changes in the interior
- system mobility- the smart home system can be easily dismantled and moved to another facility, for example, in case of moving
- high speed and data protection- modern wireless technologies have more secure protocols, and their operating speed is very high
These are just the main advantages of the smart home system, which also include ease of use, high image level, and the ability to monitor what is happening even when you are away (using video captured by cameras).
How does the smart home system work?
Structure « smart home» is quite simple, but at the same time it allows you to cover the maximum number of necessary objects (sensors and cameras are used to shoot video). To effectively equip a “smart home”, the diagram should look like this:
- climate control (heating and ventilation system, air conditioning system)
- security (surveillance system using video recorded on cameras, technical and fire safety, burglar alarm)
- electric drives (control of gates, blinds, other automatic equipment)
- entertainment system (video, audio)
- weather and watering plants
The most popular among consumers is the light and electrical load control unit. This function allows you not only to turn off the lighting in all rooms at the same time, but also to bring the illumination level to the required value (minimum, average, maximum).
Controlling the climate in your home allows you to get the required temperature by setting up the system once. In the future, the “smart home” will independently regulate the operation of engineering subsystems to create a favorable microclimate.
Security alarms provide protection against intrusion local area, as well as directly into the house itself through windows and doors. To make this system function more smoothly, cameras are installed around the entire perimeter that record video around the clock. The entertainment system involves watching videos in equipped rooms, as well as listening to your favorite audio in all areas of the home.
Why should you install a weather station?
To control the weather and watering of plants, it is necessary to install a local weather station, which will inform residents about the following indicators:
- temperature changes
- humidity level
- wind strength and direction
- precipitation
If the level of precipitation is below the standard value, the smart home will be able to turn on the irrigation system.
How to create a “smart home” with your own hands
What you can get if you know how to make a “smart home” with your own hands:
- balanced functioning of all integrated devices
- detailed logging of everything that happens
- monitoring the operation of each device separately, as well as the system as a whole
- reduction of system response time to changes, as well as detailed analysis of what is happening
- prevention of emergency situations, as well as work to eliminate consequences
- reliable feedback from the smart home to residents
- Ease of Management
To install a “smart home” system, you can purchase it ready-made or read the instructions located on the Internet (video, text), which describe how to make a “smart home” with your own hands.
How the installation work is performed
What you need to do to create a smart home system with your own hands:
- equip the server
- configure web server
- organize computer video surveillance to increase the level of security
- connect security analog web cameras and alarm system
- set up an internet connection
- install a network using connected sensors and other actuators
- connect temperature sensors and lighting system
- create heating system control
- connect everything network engineering to a unified “smart home” system
Before you start creating a “smart home”, you need to select a central control unit (preferably a computer). This device will help ensure the versatility and ease of use of the system. Using a computer, you can perform a large number of diverse tasks within one system, as well as small subsystems. Thanks to the development of modern equipment, as well as its equipping with the most common protocols, the integration of subsystems into a single “smart home” system becomes very simple.
Once you have decided on a control device, you need to connect cameras to it that provide video recording to increase the safety of residents. After such procedures, you can connect to video surveillance using a remote desktop, even without being at home. In addition to cameras, it is necessary to connect an alarm system and special sensors.
You can also connect 1-wire sensors to the server, with which you can automate switching on and off house lighting depending on climatic conditions; the information obtained can be used to control temperature regime inside an apartment or house.
Owning your own country house is the dream of many, but it is very important that it be carefully thought out and comfortable for living. For example, many people want to make a “smart home” with their own hands. What is it and how can you think about it so that your home is not only beautiful and well-planned, but also functional?
"Smart home": what is it?
Experts say that such a system is based on the complete automation of all components of housing. For example, if you don’t want to get up at night and turn off the lights in the hallway, you can do it much easier: one remote control can solve several problems at once. To make a “smart home” with your own hands, you will have to work hard, and therefore many people prefer to ready-made systems offered by various companies. For example, using a variety of controllers, sensors, wires, and actuators that are hidden in the walls of a building, you can simultaneously control all components of your home: electricity and water supply, lighting and ventilation. At the same time, the owner’s participation in this process is minimal - controlled exclusively by the remote control.
How it's done?
The modern Smart Home system is thought out to the smallest detail. That is, the owner of such housing can keep under control all the vital components of his cottage or apartment. At the same time, most companies that specialize in such structures install the Smart Home system taking into account the wishes of customers. It is noteworthy that each such development is individual, it is created for a specific object, and accordingly, the design solution is completely different for each specific case.
"Smart Home" system for an apartment or country cottage suggests that the object will be filled with a kind of “electronic servants”. Moreover, this is not only and not so much televisions, refrigerators and home theaters, but heated floors, air conditioning and ventilation systems, boilers and pumps. Plus sources Of course, installing all these systems yourself is not so easy, but it’s still worth trying to make your home “smart”.
Where to begin?
Our house is a kind of puzzle that needs to be assembled correctly. That is, we must saturate it with the help of various technical devices, communications that will work for our convenience. To make a “Smart Home” with our own hands, we need to combine a number of components into a single, stable working system. Moreover, it is quite possible to create an elementary structure yourself. To do this you just need to have certain skills:
- Know electrical engineering and be able to operate various electrical devices and work with current.
- Understand the principles of construction automatic systems, that is, understand what controllers are, what signals they give.
- Be able to program to create a desktop or mobile operating system and interface through which control will be carried out.
- Clearly understand the algorithms by which the Smart Home system will work.
- It is good to know the equipment used.
That is, our task is to combine all solutions into one in order to control the entire building via a computer or mobile device. Let's try to figure out what equipment is needed for the Smart Home system.
First: warning system
Timely prevention of accidents is a guarantee that the owner will not worry about the breakdown of any structure or leaking pipes. If you install an automatic one in your home, you can keep it under control. permissible load to the power supply network. In this case, even in the event of a short circuit, the electricity supply will be turned off, and the equipment itself will be safe and sound. If you suddenly forget to turn off the iron or tap, the sensor will definitely warn you about this, and if necessary, shut off all systems.
Second: power supply
The Smart Home system (it is quite possible to install certain of its components with your own hands) assumes that the power supply must be reliable, especially if the lights in your area are turned off quite often. To protect your equipment and home in general, you should install stabilized power supplies in your smart home, which have a built-in battery. This will keep all systems operational in the event of an emergency. In order not to think about possible power outages, you can install a diesel generator and backup power units in your home. Thanks to automatic control, the fuel level in the generator will be under constant control, and the load on the network will be distributed evenly.
Third: burglar alarm
Protecting your home plays an important role, including in the “Smart Home” system. Installing an alarm with your own hands will not be difficult. For example, sensors can be placed along a fence that encloses an area, on walls, windows, doors, and also in rooms. If at least one of them suddenly works, all warning systems that are programmed in a specific algorithm are activated. Such a system will consist of a presence sensor, a control panel, a source uninterruptible power supply with a battery (in the event of a power outage it will work for about 6-7 hours), a siren, and a tablet key reader.
Fourth: lighting control
It is necessary to competently manage the Smart Home system. With your own hands (the diagram must be drawn up together with competent designers), you can develop a lighting control system, thanks to which you can significantly save on the maintenance of the house and create comfort in it. Select quantities and types lighting fixtures necessary depending on the room in which they will be installed, how the interior will be decorated, and so on. At the same time, everyone can arrange the lighting system the way they like and need it. The main thing is automatic control, when the owner of the house does not have to think about whether he turned off the lights or not. You can configure the system so that the lighting will turn on when a person approaches and go out when he leaves.
Fifth: energy consumption
To limit the amount of power your home consumes, you should definitely install an energy management system. Thanks to this solution, you can avoid serious problems that may arise if the power reaches its peak. For example, if your cottage has heated floors powered by electricity, the power supply may be overloaded. By creating an intelligent system, floors can be seamlessly integrated into different rooms until the house warms up completely. This will avoid sudden surges and network overload. In addition, the presence of such a system will lead to the fact that as the power approaches the peak, the generator will turn on itself, and as soon as it decreases, it will turn off.
Sixth: sockets must be normal
The simplest thing you can do for the Smart Home system is to equip sockets with your own hands. This solution is economical, since it is enough to have an antenna and the ability to control it from a distance using a key fob. The essence of such a system is that all sockets in the house are connected via a single electrical circuit. Accordingly, when receiving a command to turn on, for example, a kettle or toaster, the devices begin to work at a certain time set by you. In addition, the presence of such centralized system allows you to turn off all turned on electrical appliances with one press of a button on the key fob.
Seventh: heated floor
Today, such floor coverings are very popular, and this despite the fact that installation is not cheap. This floor is comfortable and pleasant to walk on; it is always warm and safe. Modern warm coverings can be water or electric. If you install a Smart Home system in your home, you can constantly control the temperature in the room. Moreover, it is controlled via remote control. An intelligent system is the key to maintaining the optimal temperature for living in a house or apartment. At the same time, energy consumption will be rational, and therefore beneficial for the owners.
Eighth: heating system
Agree, the ability to independently regulate the condition and degree of heating of the batteries in the house is worth a lot. IN ordinary apartments we can't just turn them off, for example, if it gets too hot. In a “smart home” this is easy to do, because it radiator heating has built-in intelligent modules. Thanks to them, a certain temperature is maintained in the room, which is automatically changed using the remote control. This system can be easily implemented into any interior without causing any harm to it.
This is done simply: control valves are installed on ordinary radiators. They can be controlled automatically using a control panel that has a built-in temperature sensor. If you make a more complex configuration, then in it the valves and remote controls are connected via a radio channel, and adjustment and control can be carried out via a computer or the Internet.
There are a huge number of solutions and technologies to make your home “smart”, that is, functional and well-equipped. Many of them are quite simple. There are some things you can do yourself, such as installing an anti-icing system for roofs and stairs, or automatic design water supply And some systems should only be installed by professionals, for example if we're talking about about power supply devices. In any case, it is worth spending money and making sure that your home meets all modern requirements for reliability, safety, and quality.
The topic “Smart Home” is already on everyone’s lips. They talk about it, they invest in it, they develop it... On this topic, to such giants as Siemens, General Electric etc. seemingly not entirely specialized companies joined, such as Microsoft, Google, Apple.
There is no single standard on the topic, just as there are no instructions, they say, “do this and that,” so theoretically, anyone can build their own smart home and exactly the way they want, and therefore I could not miss this topic and actively joined it. I won’t say that I ate the dog with smart houses... no, rather, I took the bite, but nevertheless, based on my experience and my observations, I will try to post a detailed... mmm... How-To? No, it won't work. Review? That’s not it either... More likely, it will be parting words or some set of advice.
Theater begins with a hanger, and I will start by dotting all the “Is” right away, so that readers do not have any unfounded negativity or simply some kind of misunderstanding during the reading process.
The most important thing is that the article is intended for people who have not yet really understood whether they even need this “Smart Home” and whether they need to get involved in this topic?
Now the term.
Let's be honest, a “Smart Home” is not only a system with artificial intelligence that talks to you in the morning in the bathroom (while you shave) and prepares dinner for you while you are driving home. There is no need to confuse the system with the wife.
Smart home is any an automation/automation system (or a complex of automation/automation systems), which somehow, even the smallest fraction, makes your life easier. It doesn’t matter what it is: automatically turning off the light in the toilet after a person leaves and closes the door, or a system that itself waters house flowers, feeds your beloved cat and shuts off a leaking water supply pipe if you stay late at work. If something in your home is triggered based on some kind of algorithm, then it can already be called a “Smart Home” system, only with limited functionality.
Also, a “Smart Home” is not only a mansion stuffed with electronics, but also an apartment in which your automation and/or control system operates, i.e. " Smart apartment" - this is also a “Smart Home” and further in the text we will use this very term.
In general, there is no need for a person to be excessively boring, and to get into a debate on the question of how smart the “Smart House” turned out to be, which was made by student Kolya, is, in my opinion, a disrespect for the work of that same Kolya. Did he do it? Does it work and control something? Great, well done! Let it continue to grow above itself.
Let's return to the topic.
We want to build our “Smart Home”, where to start? From purchase, construction? No, in this matter, as in all engineering tasks, you need to start with paper, or rather, with a project. Will it be a piece of chewed paper with diagrams and drawings that only you can understand, or will it be something drawn in *CAD... the main thing is that at least you understand what is depicted there.
Don’t be afraid to describe “long-term plans”; write down and think through everything, even what you can do in the very distant future. It’s better to think about everything now because then it will be too late. This is an experience paid for with the blood of many engineers who stepped on numerous mistakes.
What should you pay attention to?
1. Users
Consider how the system you introduce will be handled by users, i.e. residents of your home or members of your family. Will people who are not technically savvy (old people, children or a wife - it doesn’t matter who exactly) be able to use this? Scenario like: “Honey, the light in the toilet is about to turn on, now I’m just updating the firmware to the Arduino.” doesn't fit. Imagine that you are renting out your system to a rich “redneck” bandit, who, seeing your LED-backlit switches, will tell you: “ This... hear, what kind of crap is this? Where is there to go?". What is obvious to you may not be completely clear to others.
2. Technology
Wired or wireless. If it’s wired, then you need to make plans for laying all necessary cables(and better with a large margin). Where to lay out the walls, where to place sockets and automation elements - everything should be on the diagram. If the system is wireless, then think about where the transmitters/receivers will be located, where the signal repeaters will be located.
Now you remember this, in a month, when there is a lot of information, your head will be a mess and something will be forgotten.
3. Executor
Who will do all this? Are you yourself or a hired company specializing in the topic? It will be cheaper to do it yourself, but it will require you to delve deeply into the issue. We will still rely on self-deployment, because the category of the article is “Do it yourself”, right?
4. Autonomy
When thinking through the functionality and capabilities of a smart home, always count on the fact that there will be no Internet in the house. Of course, many smart guys will object to me, they say, you need to think about the possibility of pairing with something in the outside world... think it through, lay it out, no one argues, but your smart home should work properly in complete autonomy/isolation mode. It may be difficult for a person living in a metropolis to understand how it is possible to have no Internet at all... GPRS, ADSL, at least there should be something back up? No no and one more time no! Nothing may happen, but it should work All.
Here's an example:
You have built a funny system: say “Nafanya, turn on the multicooker/light in the toilet” and the system turns off the multicooker or light in the toilet, simultaneously saying “Turning it on.” But suddenly, due to the evil hackers of Al-Qaeda, the network of your provider fell off, followed by the network of your mobile operator Rupor, which provides you with a backup LTE channel. Naturally, Google TTS, which was the basis of your voice control system, fell off and the smart home in the blink of an eye turned into a dumb dumbass who couldn’t turn on anything. Make it possible manual control, or better yet, make the system so that it can, for example, read the weather out loud without Google's voice service. It's difficult, but it's possible. Nobody said that deploying a Smart Home is like installing MS Office.
Second example:
You managed your smart home through an Android application, but after the malicious hacker attack described above, your smartphone was unable to contact the cloud service and command the smart home to turn off the forgotten iron. Write your own application that can work remotely via a mobile operator’s 2G network or via Wi-Fi if you are within the coverage area of your home access point.
5. Next moment, which must be remembered when designing, follows from the previous one: The “core” of your automation system.
Your home may have a router (ADSL, LTE or something else), a switch or some other network switching device, but a smart home must be controlled by a “core” - a separate and independent device. Under no circumstances combine network traffic management and home management in one piece of hardware. Nowadays there are many routers on which you can install firmware with a miniature copy of Linux, and many people who are familiar with this topic try to attach everything that comes to mind to such routers. Personally, I love routers that allow me to fine-tune everything I need more precisely, but I don’t think it’s right to install controls on a device that wasn’t originally designed for it.
Your home may be left completely without a network, but home automation should work, or vice versa, home automation may “fail,” but this should not drag down the work of the LAN (local area network).
6. Kernel placement
Underneath all this fuss with the router, switch, control system core, backup power systems, etc. you need to allocate a separate place: a closet, a closet, a closed niche/mezzanine. Anything where there is ventilation (the equipment will get hot and you need to think about cooling) and where it won't be in the way/in your eyes. Your system should not spoil general view housing and make negative changes to home comfort.
If you have a basement, then it is better to deploy your “mission control center” there. 
7. Expenses
Perhaps this should have been inserted somewhere closer to the beginning, but if the previous points were not fully worked out, then the matter may not come to expenses.
The most important thing to know is that a Smart Home is a damn expensive endeavor. You can do something yourself (etch boards, program microcontrollers), but this will only reduce your costs, and not eliminate them altogether.
The next most important thing to consider at this point is duplication. The purchase of any equipment and performers should be doubled and always rounded up. In your home, for each performer (switches, sensors, etc.) there should be a backup in the stash (unless, of course, a third-party organization is involved in servicing your home). Don't count on the fact that if something breaks, you will go to the store and buy it.
Example:
The tension jumped. Although the protection worked, some of the built-in light switches burned out. I You got sick yesterday and are lying at home with a temperature of 39.2 degrees. Let's say that you are a courageous man (that's a pun), and, not caring about your health, you decided to get out of bed and replace all the switches yourself, but... with what? Understudy.
Have you decided to place a camera in front of the entrance? Buy two. Have you figured out that you need 12 smart switches around the house? Buy 24. Do you think it’s possible that all 12 will fly out at once? It happens, unfortunately, that the very first thing you have to duplicate is the system kernel.
Bottom line
I described a negligible part of the beginning of such a large and interesting project for most “techies” as the “Smart Home”. This topic affects almost all areas of IT: networks, programming, administration, automation, electrical and electronics... and this makes it a complex topic that requires a special approach. This is clear from what I wrote above, but if it’s not visible, it means the writer in me has never matured.
It’s impossible to cram the entire text into one article; I’ve already shortened it enough, so there will be at least one more part of the material, which, in principle, will contain advice/recommendations on choosing software and hardware. It sounds a little strange, they say, there is such a variety of technologies, what advice can there be? However, there are tips and recommendations even in such a situation.
Thanks to everyone for your attention, and to those who read all this to the end.
Having a house outside the city is everyone's dream. Therefore, every family, having financial capabilities, tries to purchase or build housing that would meet modern living standards. Recently, smart home projects have become extremely popular. They not only allow you to properly plan the space, but also guarantee the owners maximum comfort and convenience.
General characteristics
A “smart home” is the housing of the future, in which the operation and control of all systems is carried out automatically, providing the premises with a high level of security and all necessary conditions for accommodation. In such houses, labor costs for management are completely eliminated, since setting the temperature, lighting, and other things is not done manually. In addition, the building is equipped with special monitors with sensors that can identify in advance potential threats to both its own systems and the residents themselves.
In the event of power outages, heating malfunctions, smoke or unauthorized entry, the unit instantly notifies the owners and independently corrects the problems.
The main advantage of a smart home is that its flexible control systems can significantly save energy costs, since in the absence of residents, all appliances are switched to an economical mode. Thanks to the built-in programs, such an installation will regularly carry out all the instructions of the owners, often predicting them independently. Therefore, we can say that after installing such an innovation, a “non-staff butler” appears in the home. The only disadvantage of the installation is the high price, but it justifies itself over time.
Kinds
To do Vacation home as comfortable as possible, many owners install a “smart home” system, which helps not only save energy resources, but also precious time by automatically managing all communications and entertainment centers. Depending on what functions and capabilities are available in the installation, it is divided into several types.
Wired
Consists of switches, sensors and climate control devices. All equipment is controlled using a wired panel, which receives signals. It is located in the main panel and cables are supplied to it. The advantages of a wired installation include high reliability, as well as high click speed. After pressing the button, the program starts without delay, which saves residents from long waits; the scripts, if installed correctly, do not freeze. In addition, the control elements are characterized beautiful design. They are usually equipped with smart switches and a variety of integration systems.
Thanks to a wired smart home, it is much easier to adjust the temperature in the rooms, as well as control the video and audio rooms. He serves long term, since the devices do not contain batteries that require constant replacement. Switches in in this case fireproof and low-current are used. In order for the system to work reliably, before installing it, it is necessary to select the location of the panel in advance and route the cables there.
If a country house is built of wood, then the owners need to first coordinate the project and prepare a place for electrical wiring.
It is also recommended to install a wired device during home renovation, when the wiring has not yet been done according to classic scheme. This will be difficult to do in a finished building. For installation, a large shield with a width of up to 60 cm and a height of up to 150 cm is usually used. Installation work It is best to carry out with the help of experienced specialists, since the equipment is expensive and the slightest mistake can lead to a whole series of troubles.
Wireless
Unlike the previous version, in this system the actuator signal is transmitted to operating devices not via wiring, but via a dedicated radio channel. This allows you to significantly save on electrical wiring and installation. Such installations can be placed in houses with completed renovations and a regular wiring diagram. Due to the fact that each switch is “wireless”, it becomes possible to set different lighting effects by pre-programming the function keys. Installation of these systems does not require project preparation, therefore they are ideal for wooden buildings, and its price is quite affordable.
A wireless “smart home” powered by a radio channel directly depends on the quality of communication, so various interference from phones and electrical appliances can negatively affect its functionality. In addition, the quality of radio communication also depends on building material walls, and if the wiring is too scattered along the walls, the signal level will be minimal. In the case when the system is controlled by batteries, they should be changed regularly, otherwise at the most inopportune moment something may not work.
Some wireless systems consist of radio equipment that is powered by alternating electricity, so they require a neutral wire. To avoid problems with the installation of such an installation, it is recommended to immediately lay an additional neutral wire under the switch. They put it in a box. The disadvantage of the device is that it is difficult to establish stable functionality in it, since in the house you will have to manage not only floor heating and lighting. In addition, the security of the installation is low and “hackers”, using an external communication signal, can quickly disable it.
Centralized
Its operating principle is based on programming modes that come from a single logic module. As a rule, the device is represented by a controller having many outputs. The controller is pre-loaded with a unique program responsible for managing communication systems and actuators. Thanks to such technologies it is possible to use huge selection complex scenarios and any equipment. The advantages of the device include the ability to control in one window, create complex tasks, taking into account the condition of the home owners, time of day and lunar cycle. In addition, it is possible to connect any type of equipment to the system.
As for the shortcomings, they also exist. First of all, such a centralized “smart home” completely depends on the human factor, because it works according to a program written by a programmer, and if contact with him is lost, then the entire system will need to be completely reprogrammed. Secondly, during installation you should install a high-quality controller, otherwise if it fails it can stop the entire system. Thirdly, it is high cost.
Decentralized
The operation of a “smart home” in this case is based on the use of a microprocessor with a non-volatile board. Therefore, these systems are considered the most reliable and if even one equipment malfunctions, the entire system will fully continue to function. The installation is easy to maintain, and if there is a need to create a new script, then an additional logical block is simply used for this. Today, you can find many decentralized systems on sale that differ in functionality and design.
Unlike previous options, when installing the installation, many devices are placed in the panel, so it is recommended to give preference to well-tested manufacturers, otherwise you may encounter their failure in the future.
Necessary equipment
Before installing a smart home system in your country home, you need to create correct project and purchase all the necessary devices.
Depending on personal preferences, the equipment set may vary, but the minimum set should consist of:
- sensory system;
- adjustments with which equipment and lighting will be turned on and off;
- monitors where video surveillance will take place;
- alarms;
- controller;
- application programs for smartphones containing the necessary gadgets;
- cloud network channels that simplify connecting and managing devices.
How to install and configure?
Installing a “smart home” is quite accessible with your own hands, but since installation and technology require correct execution, then it is best to seek help from specialists. The contractor will begin by determining the features of the object, then propose the most suitable project. After the design, an estimate will be drawn up, which will include control devices and a system diagram.
If the owner of the house is confident in his abilities and can do the installation himself, then he needs to complete the following steps.
- Before the beginning repair work a network of cables should be laid in the housing and a server cabinet, racks under it should be installed and everything should be covered with mounting boxes. In the technical room you need to place equipment for electrical supply, a switch, and connect the automation to the modules.
- After the renovation of the premises is completed, you can install acoustic speakers and a control system by connecting touch panels. Next, you should perform a test setup of the system.
- The final stage will be the final setup of the equipment and test work, after which the installation is put into operation. If the design and installation are carried out correctly, the “smart home” system will begin to function effectively and fill the home’s interior with harmony and comfort. To reliably hide it from prying eyes, even at the stage of finishing the room you will need to skillfully hide auxiliary equipment and wiring.
From the above we can conclude that installing a “smart home” is labor-intensive, since most of the time is spent on creating a project and installing equipment. In this case, the speed of work depends on the number of installations, wall material and housing area. Typically the entire process takes up to two weeks, including script programming.
Control systems
Typically, modern city apartments and houses outside the city use purification systems, air conditioning, lighting, and also install a security alarm and video audio equipment. Therefore, by equipping their home as a “smart home”, its owners have a unique opportunity to conveniently manage this entire “orchestra”. In order for automation to occur quickly and without failures, such an installation is divided into subsystems: security, climate control, lighting, multiroom and home theater. Each of them is characterized by its own type of management.
Lighting
Groups or individual lamps can operate in different modes; for this purpose, they are given their own illumination level. Control is carried out using remote controls; it is possible to remotely set illusory scenarios for the owners being in the apartment. All lighting sources are controlled by a single remote control, and you can additionally set the date, time or a specific event. The brightness of devices and automatic switching off of lamps when leaving the room are adjusted in the same way.
Climate control
This system controls devices that provide heating, air conditioning, air purification and ventilation. Thanks to the configured settings, the equipment works smoothly in the specified mode. In addition, some projects also provide remote control climate, thanks to which comfortable temperature installed before the home owners arrive. All equipment is controlled from a single remote control, where you can control the heating depending on the date, time and season. The rooms are also additionally equipped with humidity and temperature sensors, which are triggered at a certain time and regulate the climate.
Home cinema and multiroom
This system includes not only players and TVs, but also related equipment: curtains, blinds and lighting. Thanks to well-organized work, the room creates a special atmosphere for watching films. Control can be either voice or automated by pressing buttons on the remote control.
Safety system
It is a unique multifunctional device that is remotely controlled and quickly responds to various alarm situations, including fire safety, alarms and disruption of communications. Fire and security alarm work automatically and turn on immediately after the owners of the house leave. It can be controlled either using a cell phone or a remote control. You can remotely receive signals about gas leaks, water leaks and burglaries. Information is instantly sent to your mobile phone or computer.
The smart home device is ideal for both country house, dachas, and for apartments. Since the system is expensive and its installation is not easy, homeowners who want to install it themselves will be helped by expert recommendations to avoid mistakes.
- You cannot use equipment that does not match the style of the room. Equipment of different designs will spoil the interior of the room, because it is ugly when the panels in the room are arranged in a chaotic order and differ in color from decorative finishing walls For example, a plastic white intercom is inappropriate on a wall with a dark surface. Therefore, even at the design stage, it is necessary to pay attention to such points Special attention and purchase suitable keypads and panels. In addition, the devices must be additionally masked with special plates or frames that blend harmoniously with the rest of the interior elements.
- Installing a large number of control panels on one wall is also not a good idea. For example, floor heating thermostat, climate control, installed simultaneously, remote multiroom and a switch will not only complicate the control of the equipment, but will also look cumbersome. As a result, a “smart home,” on the contrary, will complicate life and will not make it comfortable. Therefore, to prevent this, you should try to place a minimum of devices on the walls, giving preference only to sockets, switches and touch panels. As for setting the temperature in the rooms, it is usually done once per season, so control panels can only be installed in important rooms.
- Many homeowners prefer to install a “smart home” only with wireless control. Certainly, modern life designed in such a way that every person cannot live without a tablet or mobile phone. But if you completely rely on this control method, you may find yourself in a risk zone and lose control over the devices if your smartphone breaks down or the Internet goes out. Therefore, experts advise connecting wireless and wired panels at the same time.
They can be located in the same place, their service life exceeds 30 years. Mobile control is performed using a tablet or phone. In the event of a breakdown or loss of a mobile device, the system can easily be reset to stationary control. It is difficult to break and such panels do not discharge.
- Smart home is considered complex system, in which all components must work smoothly and consistently. Therefore, by purchasing equipment from different manufacturers, such harmony can be disrupted. As a result, problems with incompatibility of equipment will arise, and the installation will not only become difficult to manage, but also serious malfunctions in its operation are possible. To prevent this, it is necessary to select equipment that has the same technical characteristics and information transfer speed. It is also not recommended to use additional auxiliary software and expansion gateways or installers; they will only complicate settings and control.
- Professionals usually build a smart home system based on a software platform and equipment from one manufacturer, whose products are well known in the market and have positive reviews. The right decision will also be the acquisition of one integration platform, which is designed for automated control of climate, lighting, security and fire safety systems, and audio and video equipment. It is reliable in operation, its warranty service is up to 5 years, and most importantly, the platform ensures compatibility of all devices.
- During the installation of a “smart home”, it is important to organize the workflow correctly, using special software applications. At the same time, it is not advisable to create separate scenarios for climate, music or light, as they will complicate control. Each brand offers programs of its own design, so if you install them all, it will be difficult to find the necessary bookmark on your desktop. In addition, to configure, you will need to constantly switch from one program to another and regularly update the software.
- Installing one application designed for a smart home will help simplify the task. Thanks to it, you can check the mode of devices in a matter of seconds, automatically update the version and quickly find the desired section in the lists.
- To ensure that the installation provides comfortable living conditions, it is best to entrust its design to specialists, since the slightest inaccuracy in the diagrams can disrupt the operation of the system and damage expensive equipment.
The term “smart home” today means the comprehensive introduction into everyday life of high-tech devices that make it possible to provide high level comfort of residents. Distinctive feature systems of this type is the maximum automation of a number of processes with minimal human participation. In addition, one of the criteria for a “smart home” is centralized management of all devices involved in the complex. The smart home system has a modular design and consists of functionally separated blocks with their full or partial integration into a single system. Each module is involved in performing strictly designated tasks, meanwhile, the blocks can interact with each other.
Possible modular content of a modern smart home system:
- Central control controller, which combines other components and ensures their interaction. Such a controller can be either an industrial solution in the form of a complete device or a regular computer with appropriate software.
- Climate system. It consists of heating and ventilation control units, ensuring the maintenance of a given microclimate in the room.
- Lighting and switching control energy consumers.
- KTSO(complex technical means security). Includes a security and fire alarm system, a video surveillance system and modules for remote notification of the owner about alarm situations.
- System of accounting, collection and storage of data. The tasks of the module include collecting information from metering devices, recording various events and providing data for analysis in order to assess the effectiveness of the entire complex.
- Channels of connection. Networks operating with the TCP/IP protocol in wired or wireless versions are used as data transmission channels. To integrate devices with specialized interfaces into the network, appropriate converters are used.
Each of the above modules can be implemented using various hardware and software. The most common and frequently used solutions are as follows:
Control
As a management controller of a smart home system, the most justified is the use of an industrial single-board computer. Such computers are characterized by their small size, low power consumption, lack of mechanical parts (fans, hard drives) and run on software open source. The number and type of available interfaces can in most cases be changed and supplemented.
It is logical that independent programming of such devices requires certain skills and knowledge. Access to the controller is carried out over the network, using the WEB interface or client applications. There are also ready-made solutions, designed to manage the entire complex and provide the user with a simple, user-friendly interface for configuration.
To control a smart home, it is convenient to use universal remote controls that support the execution of macros - ordered sets of actions. In this case, radio remote controls are more effective than IR remote controls, since they allow control outside the direct line of sight of the IR receiver. A more modern control panel can be a smartphone with specialized software installed on it. 
Climate
Climate control is implemented by assessing the readings of temperature and humidity sensors. Based on the analysis of this data, heating is automatically adjusted, air conditioning, ventilation and humidification systems are turned on or off.
Lighting
This is implemented by installing light, presence, or combined sensors. If necessary, the control controller allows you to control the lighting according to a schedule. When using dimmer devices, not only discrete, but also smooth adjustment of the brightness of light sources is possible.
Security and safety
Complex security equipment may consist of several subsystems:
1. Security and fire alarm system (FS). Presence sensors are used as detection devices, reacting to the appearance of infrared radiation inherent in the human body in the controlled area. Magnetic contact sensors are installed to detect door opening. Fire safety controlled by smoke, temperature and gas leak sensors. Many modern systems security and fire alarm system have a radio communication module that allows you to notify the owner using GSM or 3G networks. Often the OPS allows the connection of any electrical appliances via dry relay, which allows you to block the lock, turn on the lighting, siren, etc., upon an alarm signal. Sometimes the alarm system includes a humidity sensor, which allows timely detection of water leakage.
2. Access control system. Consists of an identification device, identifiers themselves (electronic keys, radio tags, fingerprint), a blocking device (lock, barrier, automatic gates) and is intended to limit access to a room or territory.
3. Video surveillance system. It is a complex consisting of video cameras and video signal processing and storage devices. 
Accounting and data processing
In most cases, this functionality is implemented using a control controller using appropriate software.
Connection
The transport channel is usually the local network, made using wired or wireless technology. To manage the network, a router is used to control all network devices and provide protection from unauthorized access to each of them. Modern high-speed data transmission technologies allow the simultaneous use of a network for exchanging information between computers, transmitting IP television signals, telephony, and operating smart home components.
In addition to the above, smart home systems often use devices that do not interact with the entire complex. These can be devices for automatic cleaning (robot vacuum cleaners), systems automatic watering plants, feeding pets and much more. Despite the fact that such devices are autonomous, their integration with the system is quite possible by simply turning on or off the power supply with the control controller.
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