Sensors in a smart home - a complete list. Five really useful smart home features

Today, there are many elements of an electricity control system - various, temperature, motion and sound sensors. Together with the internal electrical wiring of a house or apartment, they are able to automate the processes of turning on / off the light, heating, control the operation of some household appliances, taking into account time regimes. But it will not centralized system control, that is, you will not be able to control the light and other consumers from a single device.

That's a good system smart House, because with it you can control all consumers connected to the wiring using one device - mobile (tablet, smartphone, remote control) and / or stationary (computer / laptop, system graphical interface). At the same time, all sensors and relays are also present in the system and perform power management in automatic mode.

In addition to elementary household consumers, an intelligent (smart) house can monitor and control communication systems, fire extinguishing, security alarms, telephone lines and many others, including utilities.

However, for complete control of household appliances, for example, regulation of air conditioner or refrigerator modes, the appliances themselves must have a special connector, through which they are connected to the electronic logic controller of the control system. Next, we will consider the basics that will give you an idea about the smart home system, its principle of operation and its constituent elements.

Components of a smart home system

First of all, it is worth noting that today there are many modifications and configurations in which the smart home control system can be implemented. Many manufacturers provide system kits with built-in Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth transmitters (communication modules) sewn into the controller, through which you can control the system wirelessly via a mobile device within an apartment / house.

A variety of smart home system architecture

There are modifications in which control takes place via the Ethernet interface (by wire, via); additional switches need to be connected to them and WiFi routers for wireless control if they are not built into the controller. As for the manual switches, they can also be connected to the central controller wirelessly or via electrical wiring. In general, there is a variety of equipment for a smart home system, and the system consists of the following elements:

• smart home controller (main and discrete input-output modulators);
• expansion and communication modules (switches, routers, GPS/GPRS modules);
• switching elements electrical circuit(relays, dimmers, power supplies);
• measuring devices, sensors and sensors (movement, temperature, light, etc.);
• system controls (remotes, touch panels, PDAs, tablets);
• actuators (valves for water, ventilation, gas, shutters, etc.).

When choosing equipment, it is also important to consider which protocol (method) of data transmission of the Smart Home system is used. For example, the widespread EIB \ KNX protocol uses computer networks, radio channels, power Electricity of the net. There is also the X10 protocol, which uses a home network for data transfer alternating current 230 V: The devices exchange the signal applied at the time of the AC zero crossing. Such signals are radio frequency pulses of 120 kHz, 1 ms duration.

What is a smart home controller?

A smart home controller is a device that manages all consumers, appliances, and also sends a report to the owner about the state of these consumers. It is guided by temperature, air, light sensors to control lighting, heating, air conditioning systems. Can be programmed to do various activities over time, according to a time schedule. In addition to the offline mode, the controller can be contacted through a special interface (computer network, mobile operator or radio network), and control the devices manually.

Appliances controlled by the smart home system controller

It is necessary to select the controller depending on how you want to build the architecture of the control system. For example, there are two types of governance system: centralized and decentralized. At the heart of the centralized control system is a single high-performance central controller that manages all consumers (devices) and engineering networks in home.

In the case of decentralized control, the smart home intelligent system consists of several simpler controllers, each of which has the functions of controlling a specific area - a room and all devices in it, separately lighting groups throughout the house, for a specific purpose household appliances etc. (regional controllers).

Central controller for a modern smart home system, it is a computer enclosed in a small plastic case, which has its own OS (operating system), RAM and many electronic components for switching (controlling) signals: electronic relays, terristor switches, etc.

One of the configurations of the central home controller of the smart home system (on-board wireless transmission module, USB, COM, Ethernet ports)

Also, depending on the configuration, there may be a built-in GSM module for remote control via mobile phone, Wi-Fi transmitter to control the system from anywhere in the house and a graphical touch or pushbutton interface (LCD screen). In addition, connectors for connecting to a computer and/or network equipment: Ethernet, USB.

Such a controller is able to control intelligent equipment such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, utilities, etc. (if such a function is provided in the equipment itself), even reporting to the owner such data as the temperature in the refrigerator, input-output calls telephone line and much more.

Regional controller , a discrete input-output modulator is a low-power logical electronic control unit that implements smart home technology (for comparison, the frequency of the microprocessor CK is about 500 MHz, the RK is about 50 MHz), as a rule, it does not have an operating system and is system-configurable. It can be configured for any elementary scenarios by time or by signals from certain sensors.

Programmable controller of the smart home system with an interface (connector for connecting to the network) Ethernet

He manages elementary tasks and events. For example, a light sensor connected to it gives a signal (when it gets dark); the controller sends a signal to the executive relay or group to control the lighting. It also notifies the owner of each action. In other words, a discrete I/O modulator is a kind of intelligent programmable electronic relay.

Such a device also consists of electronic components for network switching and an intelligent part: a microprocessor with memory. It (depending on the manufacturer and configuration) may have USB, an Ethernet interface and other ports for control, programming and reporting to the owner.

What are expansion and communication modules for a smart home system.?

Expansion modules are devices connected to the controller and expanding its functionality. To some extent, adapters, doubler-triples and measuring devices are also expansion modules. Such devices can be built into the controller, connected separately through a specially designed connector or a common Ethernet, USB and other interfaces. Due to the fact that manufacturers of smart home systems use various systems encryption of data transmission, when choosing an expansion module, it is important to pay attention to its compatibility if the controller is purchased from another manufacturer.

On the right - smart home system controllers with built-in wireless data transmission modules

Communication expansion modules for a smart home system, they are devices for transmitting data wirelessly or wired. The first include well-known Wi-Fi routers that connect to the controller in the same way as to a computer, via Ethernet or USB (there are also specially “sharpened” branded modules with their own connection system). Less commonly used are separately connected GSM/GPRS modules (since they are usually built-in), with the help of which the smart home system can communicate with the owner via SMS alerts to his phone number. There are modules for wireless communication Bluetooth (radio signal) and IR (transmission by means of an infrared beam).

GSM and Wi-Fi wireless communication modules; wired ethernet switch

For the wired method of expanding communication, switches are used - devices that connect several clients (computers, controllers and other intelligent devices) to one local network. They are required for the device. decentralized system smart home when there are several regional controllers, as well as to create common network with computers and other smart devices using the appropriate interfaces. With a long signal transmission distance, special digital amplifiers - repeaters - are used to amplify it.

Functionality expansion modules smart home systems have the most diverse functionality, and, as a rule, are connected to a common or special interface connector. They expand the list of controller functions, for example, the voice message module makes it possible to control the system using sound (voice) commands. It is also possible to make the smart home control system play audio messages (greetings, warnings, congratulations, etc.) on the speakers.

Expansion modules for controlling complex mechanisms, stepper motors, etc.

It is also worth noting the expansion of functionality by means of adapter modules, which can be used to achieve compatibility of various device standards. Special control modules are designed to control various specific devices (motors, door opening/closing mechanisms, ventilation valves, and much more) and electrical circuit switching elements. So, the smart home controller does not have power over power circuit breakers (plugs, circuit breakers), and when the machine control module is connected and controlled machines are used, the function of turning them on / off by means of the controller becomes available. To connect lighting controllers (dimmers - see below) to the smart home system, special expansion modules are also required.

What are the switching elements of the smart home system circuit.?

The concept of switching an electrical circuit should be understood as closing / opening it, as well as regulating voltage and other parameters electric current. Voltage regulators (lighting), converters / transformers, power supplies, circuit breakers and relays - all these are switching elements, without which the installation of a smart home system (as well as any electrically conductive system) cannot be performed. They may have built-in overload protection and short circuit and work, opening the circuit, thus performing a protective function.

A simple diagram of a smart home system with a controller, switching (control) elements of an electrical circuit and elementary consumers (in this case, lighting lamps)

Circuit breakers designed to protect electrical wiring from overload or short circuit. They are selected according to the power for which the electrical wiring line controlled by them is designed. For the smart home system, there are both ordinary manual and controlled circuit breakers.

The image shows simple single-pole circuit breakers.

The first have in their design a mechanism that, when heated due to overload, opens the circuit, and can also be turned off manually. Controlled machines have a special interface output to the control module, through which the main controller and the owner can control them remotely without looking into the control room at all.

Relays and relay blocks - these are power circuit control elements using a signal from the controller. The signal may look like a low power current, usually 24 V (again, there is no single standard, there is different systems and manufacturers) or other signal.

In the image - electromagnetic relays for controlling one and several lines of the power circuit

Unlike circuit breakers, relays do not have protection and the circuit closing / opening mechanism looks the opposite: when a control voltage is applied to the electromagnetic part, the latter activates the armature and closes the contacts of the power supply circuit (220 V) by mechanical influence. The most elementary relay for controlling one phase power line has three inputs and one output: zero and phase control of an electromagnet (24 V which), power phase input (220 V) from a protective circuit breaker and its output to the consumer.

Voltage regulators (lighting) are mainly used to control the supplied power and voltage for lighting fixtures. The basis of such regulators is a circuit element - a rheostat, a device for controlling lighting. For an ordinary power circuit, it is a mechanism with a slider enclosed in a box with the dimensions of a switch and also has an on / off function.

Dimmer controlled manually (right) and remotely controlled (left)

A new type of smart home control system for lighting groups contains a device called a dimmer (it is also connected to the controller through a special control module). This device is designed to control one or more lighting power groups and is controlled by the controller in automatic mode or remotely by the owner, which is convenient. Another advantage of the dimmer is that through it the controller can control the brightness of the lighting, guided by the data on the level of illumination received from the light sensors.

Power supplies, transformers, converters - these are devices of complex architecture that are designed to change the parameters of the electric current, if necessary, in a particular section of the circuit or throughout the circuit.

Power supply from 220 V to 12 V

They are used due to the fact that some consumers are designed for other current characteristics than alternating 220 V / 50 Hz, supplied at home in the CIS and Europe. For example, take the same lighting: there are special fluorescent, neon and other highly decorative lighting that operate on 10/12/24 V DC. In order to achieve such characteristics, a 220-10V, 220-12V, 220-24V power supply is mounted on the corresponding section of the circuit. Such devices can operate in one mode, for example 220-24V, or in all three of the above.

What are measuring devices, sensors and sensors in a smart home system.?

These devices are like organs of smell and touch for a person: they give an idea of ​​what is happening in the environment. Thanks to modern measuring instruments, sensors and sensors (of which the variety is very large today), the controller of the smart home system receives data on temperature, humidity, degree of illumination and atmospheric pressure outside and inside the room.

In the figure, sensors with elementary functions

There are instrumentation to monitor the condition engineering communications: pressure and accounting for water consumption and gas leakage with an electronic interface that allows you to transfer this data to an intelligent smart home system that will build reports and send them to the owner.

Gauges and sensors analog The traditional model uses low-voltage current up to 24 V, as a rule, as a data transmission, and small-section electrical wiring as a transmission medium. For example, the most elementary light sensor contains a photocell with an input and an output through which a low-voltage current phase passes. This photocell changes resistance when light hits it, thus giving different current parameters in different time days.

The figure shows elementary analog sensors that respond to household and carbon dioxide gases.

The controller receives these values, processes them and, accordingly, sends a signal to turn on / off groups of lighting fixtures, as well as control the lighting level (if a dimmer is available). A roughly similar system, only with different working elements, is available in temperature control sensors (based on their data, the intelligent home system controls heating), movement and noise (light, alarm), gas and water leaks (control of valves that shut off gas and water) and much more.

Sensors and sensors digital new generation have advanced functionality and are smart devices. For example, modern multifunctional motion sensors are capable of not only outputting data to the controller in two parameters: 1 (“yes”, there is movement) or 0 (“no”, there is no movement).

The figure shows a digital air humidity control sensor.

They are able to measure the distance from the sensor to a moving target, detect delays in the movement of an object, and much more. All this is processed by the microprocessor built into the sensor and fed to the controller in the form of digital signals. It is worth distinguishing sensors from control and measuring devices: sensors and sensors detect events, and control and measuring devices detect the physical quantities of the measured body, object (speed, weight, volume, etc.).

Instrumentation - these are more complex, unlike simple analog sensors, devices that contain new smart home technologies and control a wide range of parameters, provide them physical units measurements. Digital barometers, water and gas meters, the same voltage - all these are control and measuring devices.

Hot water temperature and flow control instrument

Unlike analog devices and sensors, modern digital ones have their own calculation system based on a simple microprocessor; they process signals and feed the data to the smart home controller in finished form, thereby partially unloading its processor. Digital instrumentation and sensors use a dedicated interface as the communication medium.

What are the elements and methods of managing a smart home system?

The control of the intelligent (smart) home system can be done in three ways: wireless local, remote wireless, wired local, remote wired. Control devices are included with the system - these are graphic control panels with touch or push-button input, remotes with receivers tuned to a certain frequency. Devices not included in the kit, such as mobile compact computers (smartphones, tablets) are configured using special software for remote control via worldwide information networks.

The smart home system can be controlled by remote control, control panel and mobile devices

Wireless local control method with a limited radius is made using control devices via a local (local) radio signal, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless radio networks. In principle, in this way you can control the system from anywhere in the house and even while being on personal plot nearby. However, in big houses, you may need additional radio points, wireless signal amplifiers. Control is carried out by consoles, touch panels, mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that have a built-in or externally connected transmitter of one or another WiFi networks, Bluetooth or proprietary RF signal.

On the tablet screen - software for monitoring indicators and devices connected to the smart home system

Wireless remote way management available if the smart home system has been installed to global networks or communication expansion modules that provide access to them. These networks include GSM / GPRS (control by means of mobile communications), Mobile Internet, a special dedicated radio signal. The presence of access to the GSM / GPRS network allows the system to send SMS, MMS and voice messages to the phone number of the owner of the house. It is also theoretically possible to control via the voice menu. Tools for managing smart home systems via global networks are, as a rule, smartphones, as well as tablets and laptops with built-in transmitter modules for mobile Internet.

Wired local control method , depending on the data transfer protocols used for the smart home system, it may have data transfer media over a twisted pair (computer network cable), electrical wiring(system protocol X10) or some other cable. In each regional and central controller, the smart home control system provides an output for wired communication with control devices, as well as information exchange with other smart devices that are “subordinate” to it. If there are several devices, then the interface is expanded using a switch (see "communication expansion modules" above), creating several branches. For the wired local control method, the control panels and switches (button and touch) that come with the kit and separately are used, and it can also be controlled via a computer or laptop connected to the cable.

Touch control panel for the smart home system, combined with an intercom

Wired remote control method smart home systems - this is a network larger than the local one, that is, the house is controlled from the outside via a laid cable connected to the internal control network. As a rule, this method of control is used in the management of automated processes of buildings. In general, for home use of this (management of systems through regional conductor networks) you do not need to know.

What are the actuators of the smart home system.?

Unlike relays, which can partly be called executive elements (giving a command - the relay closes / opens the circuit), actuators controlled by smart equipment for the smart home system are complex electromechanical products, devices designed to test high mechanical loads.

On the image, you can observe objects that can have built-in actuators of the smart home system

The working body of more complex devices (drives for opening / closing gates, blinds, etc.) is an engine, for less complex devices (valves, locks) - a core driven by an electromagnet. Most are controlled from low-voltage current up to 24 V inclusive, but there are also high-power drives rated for 220 V.

Electromechanical opening/closing drives gates, gates, doors, windows, blinds and curtains; electromechanical parts built into the furniture, making it motorized. In the kit, they can have a connection interface and a remote control.

The girl controls the window mechanism of the smart home system using a wireless remote control

Advanced drive models have elementary systems automated control: built-in sensors and setting options for speeds and extreme opening/closing positions. Today, most often there are autonomous drives for curtains and blinds that are not controlled by an intelligent smart home system: controlled from an infrared transmitter remote control and having no connection with a smart home controller. However, such devices are also considered separate elements smart home.

Low, medium and high pressure is more simple mechanisms For driving water networks(including fire extinguishing), gas pipes and ventilation. Valves are used in control systems: gas - in gas control systems, water - control of water supply, flood prevention and fire extinguishing.

The image shows a water valve controlled by a smart home system.

Very good for health, and it is worth noting the system ventilation valves, which is triggered by sensors carbon dioxide(CO2). The system weathers the gas harmful to humans and creates a favorable microclimate. Such elementary mechanisms include electromagnetic locks and other elements of access control to the premises that are part of the smart home security system. Such devices basically do not have microprocessors, they have only two positions: open and closed.

The Smart Home security system uses several sensors to control the entry of "intruders" into the home. First of all, this wireless sensor movements. It recognizes moving objects by infrared radiation. top-end configurations are capable of not only detecting the presence of an object, but also determining the distance to it, reading its dimensions and even its approximate mass. The signal from the sensor is sent to the Smart Home controller, and then, depending on the installed software and settings, the system notifies the security agency and the owner of unauthorized entry into the house, the location of the intruder and his movements. The main disadvantage of motion sensors is that they can be fooled. The sensor reacts to body temperature, if a person wraps himself from head to toe in warm clothes, he will go unnoticed. For this reason, it is recommended to combine infrared sensors with inductive ones, as well as to use them in combination with video recording cameras.

Another sensor for monitoring unauthorized entry - window and door opening/closing sensor. It is installed on a jamb or frame, controls the entire perimeter of the object. The principle of its operation is the same: when triggered, the sensor sends a signal to the controller. For added security, windows can also be fitted with glass break sensor.

Security and safety sensors in KEY

Intelligent Lighting

The already familiar motion sensor can be used not only for security purposes, but also in the construction of an intelligent light control system. Such sensors are most effective in the corridors: the light turns on at the moment when a person passes by.

Ideally, if the motion sensor will be paired with light sensor, which can be built into the motion sensor itself: if natural light enough, the light does not come on. .

In rooms, it is most reasonable to build an intelligent lighting system on presence sensors(they are more sensitive than motion sensors), but even better is to use photoelectric sensors in doorways. They determine when a person entered the room and when he left.

Emergency protection

To control the occurrence of such emergencies as water leakage, fire, gas leakage, there are special sensors.

Flooding protection:

• water leakage sensor- works at hit of moisture on sensitive electrodes. Installed in risk areas (bathroom, toilet).
• water pressure sensor- gives a signal about a change in pressure in the pipeline. Depending on the indications, he decides on the need to shut off the water.
• humidity sensor- more commonly used in a climate control system, but will also be useful for leak control if the main sensor does not work.

Humidity sensors in KEY

Protection against fire and explosion of household gas

Appropriate sensors are used to control smoke and gas leakage:

• smoke detector- determines the level of smoke in the room and, if necessary, sends an alarm signal to the unit security and fire alarm. Some smoke detectors have built-in alarms, so they can also be used as a stand-alone device.
• gas leak sensor- determines the concentration of gas in the air and, in case of excess allowable rate, sends an alarm signal to the Smart Home controller.

Climate control system

The Smart Home climate control system can use two types of temperature sensors:

• outside temperature sensor- sends information about the outside temperature to the Smart Home controller, which in turn can turn on the ventilation system or change the heating mode.
• sensor room temperature - works in a similar way, serves to maintain comfortable temperature conditions in the premises.

In addition, the climate control system uses humidity sensor. With its help, "Smart Home" regulates the operation of the air conditioner and humidifier. Indications window opening/closing sensors can also be useful in the air conditioning system. If you coordinate the operation of heating and ventilation systems, you can significantly save on electricity.

"Big brother is watching you". Fortunately, George Orwell's gloomy predictions from his ingenious dystopia "1984" did not fully come true. But in terms of total surveillance, reality has largely surpassed the writer's fantasy. In the 40s of the XX century it was hard to imagine technical capabilities available today.

Moreover, not only people monitor each other, but also engineering systems mutually control their activities. The ubiquitous visual control is provided by a video surveillance system, registration of visits - access control. A whole army of sensors connected to "smart" controllers provides people with personal, property safety, comfort, office, public building and car.

They can be conditionally divided into two groups: sensors that track movement and sensors that respond to environmental parameters.

Motion sensors

They are also used in the construction of intellectual. Two types of sensitive elements that are actively used in security systems ah: reed switch and acoustic detector glass breaking.

reed switch- an electromechanical device that is triggered when the contacts open.

Acoustic glass break detector- Responds to sound when glass breaks.

When you try to enter the building through the doors or windows on which they are installed, the sensors send a signal to the security system controller.

Sensors that track the movement of an object around the room can be called “smart”. These are motion and presence sensors. Tracking sensors are able to simultaneously track several zones in the surrounding space, roughly determine the distance to the object and even its approximate mass and volume. With the appropriate computer hardware and software, the security system will show the exact location of the object and its movement on the building plan.

Motion sensors based on the technology of tracking changes in infrared or ultrasonic fields, they are used in security systems and for automatic. Infrared sensors used in the lighting system are equipped with a light sensor. Some models are also IR remote receivers.

Presence sensors similar to motion sensors in terms of the principle of operation, but more sensitive to changes in parameters. Except infrared, exist capacitive and inductive appliances. The latter are able to accurately determine the presence metal objects in service areas. Presence indicators too sensitive for security systems, they are used to control lighting and home appliances (for example, air conditioners).

With all the advantages of motion sensors, they have significant disadvantage: an attacker can bypass them. For example, an IR sensor that responds to elevated temperature human body, you can "deceive", from head to toe wrapped in warm clothing. This is difficult to do, but theoretically doable.

Therefore, security officers always insist that a combination of sensors be installed on the object entrusted to their care various types actions. In this case, indeed, full protection can be guaranteed.

It is difficult to build a full-fledged system of intelligent lighting and maintaining an optimal climate only on motion and presence sensors. If the object is not moving for a long time, the signal is not received. There is no exact certainty that there are people in the room.

Software"smart home" allows you to remember how many people are in the room. Determine that a person has entered or exited will help installed in doorway or in the corridor photoelectric sensor.

These devices respond to the movement of foreign objects in a narrow tracking beam. Smart home software allows you to remember how many people entered and left the premises.

The same sensor is installed on the entrance and garage automatic gates, barrier. "Smart Home" will know if the car drove into the gate completely and if anyone is standing in the opening. The gates will close automatically, but they won't slam on the trunk of the Bentley or pinch the tail of the dog that happily ran out to meet the owners.

At specially protected secret objects, or simply because of an unlimited budget, laser displacement sensors are used instead of photoelectric ones. Unlike conventional optical sensors, they are not capable of errors, they will also react to the fruit fly. And they work for long distances and are able to determine the exact location of the object.

Hollywood spy thrillers like to show the main characters using acrobatic maneuvers to cross an obstacle course marked with extremely bright beams the color of freshly spilled blood. In fact, if the air does not contain a large number smoke and water vapor (fog), the laser beam is not visible. Only a trained specialist is able to determine the presence of a sensor.

Sensors that respond to environmental parameters

These sensors are designed for joint work with engineering systems. Almost every home equipped with modern system, there is a temperature sensor. And probably not alone.

Outdoor temperature sensor will supply the system with data on the air temperature outside. Its readings, coupled with the forecast of a home weather station, will help determine the optimal mode of operation of the heating and ventilation system.

Room temperature sensors and devices on the supply and return lines of the coolant contribute to maintaining comfortable temperature in separate rooms.

Gas leak sensor will give a signal to the remote control and report a leak with a shrill signal. If the gas inlet to the house is installed stopcock with solenoid valve, fuel supply will be cut off.

Fire sensors react to the presence of smoke in the air or an increase in temperature above a critical value. Very important and necessary devices.

Leak sensor if water gets on it, it will close the valve embedded in the water supply.

Water pressure sensor sends a signal to the controller about a change in pressure in the pipeline. Depending on the nature of the changes, the smart home will decide whether to turn off the water.

dampness sensor will inform you that there is something in your house: there is a leak, the windows are not closed, there is a problem with heating.

Unlike a car Rain sensor"smart home" does not include wiper blades. Its readings, together with a home weather station, which also includes a humidity sensor, determine the operation of the automatic irrigation system of the land.

Sensors - sensory receptors of the "nervous", without which the "brain" of the system will be blind, deaf and useless.

AT modern houses all greater value acquires automation, which allows you to reach a new, previously unavailable level of comfort and coziness.

Complex automatic systems used in residential areas, was called "smart home". The operation of such a system is based on special control elements and a wide variety of sensors that record and transmit environmental parameters and other important information.

Smart home: sensors

Sensors in residential premises are divided into several types, each of which performs a strictly defined function, and only their integrated use can achieve energy savings, ensure the highest level safety and property protection.

Conventionally, all sensors for a smart home are usually divided into 2 large groups: parameter responsive environment and tracking the movement of objects.

Sensor types:
— surround acoustic;
— temperature;
- gas contamination;
- illumination;
- movements;
- IR sensors;
- capacitive and inductive;
— presence indicators;
— photovoltaic;
— laser movement sensors;
— gas leakage sensors;
- leaks;
— pressure of water, gas;
- rain;
- dampness indicators;

All of these devices are used in conjunction with intelligent control, which allows you to collect data and analyze them in a complex. Thanks to this, the error-free and safe operation of the “smart home” systems is achieved. For example, with computer regulation, the garage door will not just open for a while for the entry or exit of a car. Before closing the gate, the system will make sure that the car has not stopped in the aisle.

An analysis of the weather outside, together with the readings of indoor temperature sensors, allows you to calculate and maintain the optimal mode of functioning of ventilation and heating systems. This is achieved by supplying the correct signal to the return line for regulating the flow of the coolant.

Description of sensors

The most complex are the smart home detectors responsible for detecting the movement and presence of objects. Systems based on them automatic lighting, security. They, as a rule, closely interact with the intellectual part of the entire system. Also for one such network of sensors are often shared different devices that differ in the principle of operation. For example, infrared sensors are installed simultaneously with motion, presence and light sensors.

Smart home software plays an equally important role as correct location and setting up all other components. For example, the motion sensor may not respond when a person is in the room long time does not move, and program analysis allows you to remember exactly where and how many people are in the house.

The most commonly used detector in smart home systems is the temperature sensor. Based on them, heating works, which is one of the main systems of any home.

Fire sensors monitor the state of the air in the house and are triggered by a sharp increase in temperature above a critical value or in the presence of smoke.

Dampness sensors allow you to determine if the windows in the house are closed, if there are leaks anywhere or problems with heating.

Thanks to various sensors, the operation of smart home systems will become more convenient.

However, in order for the devices to function effectively, it is necessary to carefully approach their selection and configuration of operation parameters.

When selecting, installing and configuring motion (presence) sensors, potential users face a number of difficulties.

So, buyers not only confuse terms or types of sensors, but sometimes they have a poor idea of ​​what functions certain devices perform.

Motion sensor or presence sensor

Motion Sensor monitors movements in the controlled part of the house (sensitivity zone), while infrared detectors are most often used. At the same time, a built-in photosensitive element registers the level of illumination, and if the latter is insufficient, the device turns on the light.

Presence sensor equipped with more advanced optical system and is able to detect even the slightest movement (such as turning pages).

This more accurate and expensive device is equipped with a light level recorder.

In addition, there are hundreds of varieties of sensors (for example, one of the longest product lines of B.E.G. has more than two hundred models).

As practice shows, installing the “best” (that is, the most expensive in the series) device does not solve the problem.

What to do?

Sensor selection options

The last parameter is the load power, determined by the number of connected lamps or other devices.

Sensor type. Models are available for dry, wet and cold environments (e.g. garages) as well as for outdoor installation.

A separate type - devices of narrowly directed action for corridors, galleries and other elongated premises. Some occupancy detectors are equipped with multiple output circuits, one for lighting and the other for example for an exhaust fan.

Finally, there are presence sensors for bathrooms.

They are equipped with a sound sensor: by the sound of water, the device understands that the owners are in the bathroom. In this case, the light will not go out, even if the storms are retracted and there is no movement. There are also sensors.

Mounting options for sensors.

In addition to the standard ones, sensors for mounting in dropped ceilings(for example, B.E.G. has such models).

This installation option allows you to mount devices flush. Externally, such a sensor is difficult to distinguish from a halogen lamp. Installation. Can be ceiling and wall. The last way often used in rooms with too high ceilings (optimal height placement of most ceiling models - 2-3 m).

Before installation, the sensor must be configured. The body of the product has one or more regulators.

With their help, the illumination level (the threshold value at which the device is triggered), the sensitivity level, the response delay time and special operating modes are set, for example, when the light is only turned off by the sensor, and lights up when the key switch is pressed.

In the same way, you need to adjust the viewing angle of the device. For this purpose, overhead plastic curtains are provided in the kit - the so-called signal cutoff filter. The required viewing angle for the sensors is set by removing a part of the shutter, unnecessary plastic is manually broken out along the notches.

Consideration should be given to the maximum permissible load, that is, the number of devices switched on by the sensor command.

Modern LED and fluorescent lamps(unlike incandescent lamps) have an unpleasant feature - they create a very large starting load on the connecting device, due to which the presence sensor may simply burn out.

Optimum load on the connecting wiring accessories(sensors and dimmers) for LED lamps should be 2-3 times smaller rated power loads. In practice, this means that if the sensor is rated for 300 V. then general power LED lamps connected to it does not exceed 150 V.

On a note:

Motion and presence sensors must be installed in such a way that they are not triggered by cars driving along the street or other false signals.

Note: unusually smart doors

The simplest electronic access control system consists of two devices - locking (electromagnetic or electromechanical lock) and a reader. The reader receives the data from the plastic card and opens the lock.

Such doors are installed everywhere in offices, industrial buildings, hotel complexes and residential buildings. Programmatically, the question of the time of access to the premises, the number of visits can be resolved.

But the card code, although it is individual, can be considered fake, and the card can be stolen. Then door manufacturers went further, and biometric detectors were born that recognize a fingerprint, scan the retina, and identify a voice. Smart doors can be integrated with security and video surveillance systems.

It provides additional features- for example, forwarding to your email photos of people coming to the door, with a specific date and time of visit. The day is not far off when a door from afar will automatically recognize its owner and greetly swing open in front of him.

Important: great importance has a lock. If it is unreliable, then, having at least a hundred levels of protection, the design will not be able to provide the necessary security.

The "smart" door is equipped with a cylindrical locking system, protected from opening by any methods - unlocking, selection of keys, drilling, blasting. In case of illegal attempts to enter the protected area, the system will notify the intruder that the object is under protection. Often such a warning is enough to scare off the perpetrator. In addition, the owner will be notified of all attempts to penetrate the host via SMS. If the offender tries to turn off the radio signal, this will also become known thanks to the monitoring station, which continuous mode controls the environment.

Note: Smart windows and how they work

Modern windows can open according to a given program, close in the rain, adjust their light transmission, noise level and indoor temperature.

Currently, handles are gaining popularity among smart window devices that maintain the set temperature in the room by signaling the air conditioning system when the window is opened - as a result, the air conditioner is temporarily turned off. These window handles can be controlled remotely through a special application on a computer or mobile device. Smart handles can be installed on both new and existing windows.

Systems automatic ventilation- like MACO's Window-Matic, which is programmable for up to one month, allow you to open and close windows at a predetermined time. The functionality of such systems can be increased by installing additional touch sensors, thanks to which the sashes will automatically close in case of strong gusts of wind or rain.

Via modern windows You can adjust the lighting in the room. This has become a reality thanks to electro-chromic glasses (developed by NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory, American National Renewable Energy Laboratory), the transparency of which changes depending on the voltage applied to them. The Dutch company Peeg+ has gone further and offers glass with a photovoltaic coating (Smart Energy Glass - SEG), which can not only change its transparency, but also accumulate solar energy. Scientist Sarbajit Banerjee of the University at Buffalo proposed coating glass with tungsten doped with vanadium oxide (V205).

Vanadium oxide can change its lattice structure depending on temperature, undergoing a so-called phase transition. At temperatures below +32°C, this compound is a semiconductor that does not transmit infrared radiation, but does not absorb it either. With more high temperatures the crystal lattice changes, the compound becomes a conductor and begins to absorb infrared radiation. Therefore, when strong heat glass with such a coating, it can work as a cooler, absorbing excess heat.

A few years ago, Samsung unveiled to the public its nano-designed Transparent Smart Window, which is a 46-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels and a contrast ratio of 500: 1.

Conventional LCD panels have a transparency of 5%, a Transparent Smart Window - 15-20 %.

This makes it possible to use the panel as a window. By controlling the device using widgets, you can make the window transparent, “close the blinds”, use the Smart Window as a regular touchscreen for “computer” tasks, and watch videos.

During the day, an external light is used as a backlight; at night, the built-in LED backlight turns on.

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