Smart home do-it-yourself equipment. Smart home system, how to do it yourself? Smart home features

The topic "Smart Home" is already on everyone's lips. They talk about it, invest in it, develop it ... On this topic, to such giants as Siemens, General Electric and others joined, it would seem, not quite profile companies, such as Microsoft, Google, Apple.

There is no single standard on the topic, just as there is no instruction, they say, “do this and that”, therefore, theoretically, everyone can build their smart home exactly the way they want, and therefore I could not miss this topic and actively connected to it. I won’t say that I ate a dog with smart houses ... no, rather, I bit it, but nevertheless, based on my experience and my observations, I’ll try to lay out a detailed one ... mmm ... How-To? No, it won't. Review? It’s not that either ... Rather, it will be a parting word or a certain set of tips.

The theater begins with a hanger, and I will start by immediately dotting all the “I” so that readers do not have unreasonable negativity or just some kind of misunderstanding in the process of reading.

The most important thing is that the article is intended for people who have not yet really understood whether they really need this “Smart Home” at all and do they need to get into this topic?

Now the term.
Let's be honest, "Smart Home" is not only such an artificial intelligence system that talks to you in the morning in the bathroom (while you shave) and cooks dinner for you while you drive home. Do not confuse the system with the wife.

Smart home is any an automation/automation system (or a complex of automation/automation systems), which at least somehow, at least for the smallest fraction, but 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 a beloved cat and shuts off a leaking water supply pipe if you stay late at work. If something works in your house based on some algorithm, then it can already be called a “Smart Home” system, only with limited functionality.

Also, "Smart Home" is not only a mansion stuffed with electronics, but also an apartment in which your automation and / or control system works, i.e. "Smart apartment" is also "Smart home" and further in the text we will use this term.

In general, excessive tediousness is useless for a person, and to go into polemics on the question of how smart the “Smart House” turned out to be, which was made by student Kolya - I think it is disrespect for the work of that same Kolya. Did he do it? Does it work and manage something? Excellent, well done! Let it continue to grow.

We return to the topic.

We want to build our Smart Home, where do we start? From purchase, construction? No, in this business, as in all engineering tasks, you need to start with paper, or rather, with a project. Will it be a piece of 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 shown there.

Do not be afraid to describe "long-term plans", write down and think through everything, even what you can do in a very distant future. It's better to think it over now because then it will be too late. This is an experience paid for by the blood of many engineers who stepped on numerous rakes.

What should you pay attention to?

1. Users

Consider how the system you are introducing 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 wife - no matter who exactly) be able to use this? Scenario like: "Honey, the light in the toilet is now on, now I'm just uploading the firmware to the Arduino." does not fit. Imagine renting out your system to a wealthy thug who sees your LED light switches and tells you: " This… listen, what the hell is this? Where is there to reap?". What is obvious to you may be completely incomprehensible to others.

2. Technology

Wired or wireless. If wired, then you need to make plans for laying all the necessary cables (and preferably with a large margin). Where to ditch the walls, where to place sockets and automation elements - everything should be on the diagram. If the system is wireless, then consider where the transmitters / receivers will stand, where the signal repeaters will be placed.
Now you remember this, in a month, when there will be a lot of information, there will be porridge in your head and something will be forgotten.

3. Executor

Who will do all this? Are you yourself or hired by a specialist firm? It will be cheaper on your own, but you will need to deep dive into the issue. We will still rely on self-deployment, because the category of the article is "Do it yourself", right?

4. autonomy

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, saying that you need to think over the possibility of pairing with something in the outside world ... think over, lay it down, no one argues, but your smart home should work properly in full autonomy / isolation mode. It may be difficult for a person living in a metropolis to understand how it is so that there is no Internet at all ... GPRS, ADSL, at least something should be backed up? No no and one more time no! Nothing can happen, but it should work all.

Here is an example:
You have built a funny system: say “Nafanya, turn on the slow cooker / light in the toilet” and the system turns off the slow cooker or the light in the toilet, saying “I turn it on” along the way. But suddenly, because of the evil hackers of Al-Qaeda, your provider's network fell off, and behind it the network of your mobile operator Rupor fell down, which provides you with a backup LTE channel. Naturally, Google TTS, which was based on your voice control system, fell off and the smart home in the blink of an eye turned into a dumb dumbass who cannot turn on anything. Enable manual control, and even better, make the system so that it can, for example, read the weather aloud without Google's voice service. Difficult, but possible. Nobody said that deploying "Smart Home" is like installing MS Office.

Second example:
You made smart home control through an Android application, but after the malicious hacker attack described above, your smartphone could not access the cloud service and instruct the smart home to turn off the forgotten iron. Write your own application that can work remotely through the 2G network of a mobile operator or via Wi-Fi if you are in the coverage area of ​​your home hotspot.

5. The next point to remember 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 should be controlled by a "core" - a separate and independent device. In no case do not combine network traffic management and home management in one piece of hardware. Now there are many routers on which you can install firmware with a miniature copy of Linux, and many people who get acquainted with this topic try to hang everything that comes to mind on such routers. Personally, I love these routers, in which you can fine-tune everything that you need, but I do not consider it correct to install controls on a device that was not originally designed for this.
Your house may be left completely without a network, but home automation should work, or vice versa, home automation may “fly out”, but this should not drag the LAN (local network) to the bottom.

6. Core placement

Under all this quotation with a router, a switch, a control system core, backup power systems, etc. you need to allocate a separate place: closet, closet, closed niche / mezzanine. Anything where there is ventilation (equipment will get warm and you need to think about cooling) and where it will not get in the way / get into your eyes. Your system should not spoil the overall look of housing and make negative changes in 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 have not been fully worked out, then the matter may not come to expenses.
The most important thing to know is that the "Smart Home" is a damn expensive undertaking. You can do things yourself (poison boards, program microcontrollers), but this will only reduce your costs, 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 house, for each performer (switches, sensors, etc.) there should be an understudy in the gas box (unless, of course, a third-party organization is engaged in servicing your house). Do not count on the fact that if something breaks, then 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 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 turned out), and, spitting on your health, you decide to get out of bed and replace all the switches yourself, but ... with what? Understudy.

Decided to place a camera in front of the entrance? Buy two. Have you thought that you need 12 smart switches around the house? Buy 24. Do you think it does not happen that all 12 will fly out at once? Sometimes, unfortunately, the very first thing that you should have duplicated is the core of the system.

Outcome

I described a negligible part of the beginning of such a large and interesting project for most "techies" as "Smart Home". This topic affects almost all areas in IT: networks, programming, administration, automation, electrics and electronics ... and therefore it is a complex topic that requires a special approach. This can be seen from what I wrote above, but if it is not visible, then the writer in me has not matured.

There is no way to cram the entire text into one article, I have already shortened it enough, therefore there will be at least one more part of the material, which, in principle, will contain tips / recommendations on choosing software and hardware. It sounds a little strange, they say, such a variety of technologies, what advice can there be? However, there are tips and tricks even in such a situation.

Thanks to everyone for your attention, and to those who have read all this to the end.

High technologies cease to be something inaccessible, belonging only to scientists in their laboratories. They enter the life of a person more and more densely, provide coziness and comfort. One of the clear examples, previously seen only in science fiction novels, is the "smart home" system, which allows you to remove a lot of worries from the owner: automate the management of all communications, reduce heating and electricity costs, and increase the comfort and safety of the home. In reality, this is a computer technology, logical and understandable to everyone who wants to understand its structure, which allows you to create this system with your own hands.

What is a "smart home"

This is a high-tech automation system that controls all systems, utilities or residential devices. Simply put, it is a processor that oversees and coordinates the operation of all devices connected to it.

Most of the problems faced by residents are due to the lack of attention shown to one or another communication node or subsystem. Heating, water supply, electrical networks of the house - all these groups of equipment periodically fail due to minor faults not detected in time, which gradually grew to the size of a serious problem. The complex also constantly monitors the functioning of communications, warns in time about emerging threats or possible malfunctions.

The structure of the complex is designed for maximum user convenience, for example, it is possible to control the entire system using a smartphone

Thanks to this technology, it becomes possible to program the time for turning on or off a particular node, the transition from one mode of operation to another. For example, organize daily turning on / off of street lighting, increasing or decreasing the temperature in the heating system, depending on weather conditions. It becomes possible to control the electronic devices of the whole house with a single remote control, which allows you to turn on the DVD in the living room, but watch it on the TV installed in the kitchen, if it is more convenient for the owner.

The possibilities of such a system are great and depend only on the types and implementation options.

Kinds

There are many varieties of the complex, each with its own pros and cons, which are most conveniently considered in the table.

The development of new, improved types of this technology is ongoing. Updated or newly created versions of a software or design solution are constantly appearing, capable of performing more complex and responsible tasks.

Advantages and disadvantages

"Smart Home" is a complex and multifunctional system that undoubtedly has a number of advantages:

• The ability to install indoors and configure any of its types according to your own parameters, from security to water supply or heating.
• From the first days of operation, this complex allows you to save up to 30% of the cost of maintaining a house.
• High level of comfort.
• The ability to use this system not only as a manager, but also as a source of entertainment.

Within the framework of this technology, it is possible to adjust not only the operation of audio and video equipment, but also, for example, the temperature of the water in the pool

However, not the most pleasant moments are associated with it:

• High price. This is the main problem limiting the spread of technology. The purchase and installation costs are too high, and the failure of some system components is sometimes not recoverable due to prohibitive prices.
• Difficulty in wiring for the system. This procedure is very time-consuming, available only at the stage of construction (interior decoration). If you replace the system with a wireless version, its cost instantly increases several times.
• The need to have a separate room or space for the installation of equipment. For a small dwelling, this moment becomes no less problematic than the rest. You will need a backup power source, voltage stabilizers that protect the nodes with the control unit from voltage surges. All this needs to be installed, maintained or repaired somewhere.

Despite the existing difficulties, the installation of this system is becoming more and more popular and widespread.

Preparatory work before installation with your own hands

Before proceeding with the direct installation of the system, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory work:

1. Choose a specific type available for technical and financial positions.
2. Create a detailed project, a working drawing of the entire system.
3. Examine the house and assess the state of communications, their readiness for the installation of controls and control sensors.
4. Determine the most convenient place for installation, installation and location of the main components and elements of the complex.

Some varieties of the system require a computer on which the necessary programs are installed, a home site is created that displays the system diagram and basic controls. The setup and adjustment of such a complex is carried out from a PC, tablet or smartphone.

A similar arrangement of icons, each responsible for its own “section”, makes managing the system much easier.

Performing preparation requires a clear understanding of the principles of operation, configuration, features or device of the selected complex. If knowledge is not enough, you will have to familiarize yourself with the structure of the system and obtain the necessary information, or abandon the idea of ​​​​organizing such a complex complex, using only your hands and head, and seek help from specialists.

Scheme of "smart home"

Before starting installation work, it is necessary to draw up a diagram that allows you to determine all mounting points, methods of connection, communication and control of the elements.

The scheme of the complex includes many elements, for example, cameras, a video server, sensors, performers

A schematic representation allows you to visualize the configuration, the principle of operation of the system, to determine its most important nodes and sections. It consists of three main groups of elements:

• Sensors. They are the "sense organs" of the system, signaling changes or detected violations.
• Executive elements, mechanisms. These devices have a direct impact on communications, change the mode of operation, switch or adjust.
• Control devices, controllers, servers. This is the central part of the system that controls, executes installed programs and manages its functioning.

This will help visualize the configuration, detect errors, and draw up a specification for the composition of the system.

Step by step instructions for making

To assemble the system with your own hands, it is best to purchase a ready-made kit that meets the needs and capabilities of a house or apartment. The order of installation work is detailed in the user manual, which must be carefully read before starting work and constantly checked during practical actions.

The installation process of the complex consists in connecting actuators and sensors to the central processor. The procedure is as follows:

1. Installation of control sensors.
2. Installation of actuating elements - servomotors, switches, cranes, etc.
3. Connecting devices to the corresponding connectors on the processor board.

After the installation is completed, a trial run and system configuration are carried out.

For some subsystems, separate small circuits are developed

It is recommended to start with the simplest functions and gradually move on to more complex operations. You should not immediately program multi-stage modes of operation, first you need to adjust, configure the system using elementary actions.

Features of installation in a cottage and apartment

The composition and configuration of the complex is largely tied to the type or size of the premises.

• For a private house, cottage or dacha, heating, water and power supply subsystems are relevant, which are often used offline.
• For an apartment connected to centralized networks, managing these elements comes down to timely switching on or off. Often these elements are not included in the system at all.

The number of actuators involved in the complex increases with the increase in the autonomy of the dwelling. The less dependence on network or other resources supplied from outside, the greater the fullness of the management complex, the higher its responsibility and significance for the life support of the home.

Controls: voice and manual

There are two groups of these elements:

• Wireless. They use television or radio technology for communication.
• Wired. They are connected via a special cable (sometimes using a conventional twisted pair), they have a fast response to commands, a high degree of reliability.

System functions can be controlled from different devices:

• Remote Control.
• Control panels.
• Control unit, shield - all three of these types involve the use of buttons or a touch screen.
• Tablet, smartphone, PC - here you can also use the voice method.

Remote controls are wireless devices and are mainly used in closed-source systems. Control panels have a fixed type of installation, usually equipped with a touch screen.

At the request of the customer, a stationary system for adjusting the operation of the complex can be installed

The way of communication with the executive elements is the same for all types of devices, since in the end the commands come to the processor, which transmits them to a certain mechanism.

Installation of the "smart home" system is available to trained people who understand the principles and features of the complex device. Uncertainty in one's abilities, misunderstanding of any points are grounds for contacting specialists. Mistakes made during the installation of this complex complex in a country house or in an apartment can cause serious consequences, so you need to realistically assess your capabilities so that the created system can only bring additional comfort.

Is it possible to equip a house or apartment with a full-fledged automation system, or at least make a simplified Smart Home with your own hands, without entrusting this work to specialized companies?

You can find a great many articles on this topic on the Internet: people talk about their installation experience of both the simplest bundles from the category of “light by motion sensors depending on the time of day”, and more complex ones, controlled via a computer or from a mobile device (for example, with iPad). Many of these solutions are really interesting and useful in everyday life.

What do you need to build a Smart Home yourself?

1. Knowledge of electrical. Understanding the principles of controlling various electrical appliances, experience in assembling electrical panels, knowledge of safety precautions when working with electric current is required. Cable connection skills.
2. Knowledge of the principles of building automation systems: types of controllers, inputs and outputs of controllers, types of signals.
3. Programming skills for desktop or mobile operating system to create a control interface.
4. Clear understanding of work algorithms.
5. Good knowledge of the equipment used.

Often, a Smart Home can be found in the form of a fairly simple but limited system, for example, water leakage control, SMS informing, or lighting control from a remote control. Such equipment exists in the form of ready-made "boxed" solutions designed for self-assembly.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the range of ready-made solutions - “Smart Home in a Box” equipment kits, which will allow you to implement the Smart Home system yourself.

A real Smart Home system is a comprehensive solution that connects all subsystems into a single network, allowing you to control the entire house from one control panel or tablet computer.

To create such a system that will be reliable, convenient and easy to learn, will allow the owners to feel completely safe, it takes years of work in this area: competent selection of equipment, careful software development, experienced engineers and designers. Ready-made Smart Home solutions will become a worthy alternative to this battalion of specialists.

The most difficult work includes interfacing with third-party equipment: air conditioning, ventilation, home theater, etc.

In any case, we can always prepare a draft system. The project will be completed in full compliance with the wishes and all building codes. It will include cable installation diagrams, a shield diagram and an explanatory note with a complete equipment specification.

The cost of the project is low, but it will make it possible to independently carry out all the necessary work related to the installation of the cable and the assembly of switchboard equipment without the risk of closing the “phase to zero”.

On the question of how to make a smart home with your own hands, ready-made project examples can also help you.

Since our systems are built on a freely programmable industrial controller (Beckhoff, OVEN, Siemens), then, having knowledge in this area, a person will be able to independently program, configure and adjust in accordance with his own wishes.

The assembly offered by us on the basis of an industrial controller and Easy Home control software for Windows, Android or iOS leaves a lot of room for self-configuration, as it allows you to easily change the interface, add new elements, change scenarios and switch associations for light groups, using the principles already laid down.

A self-implemented Smart Home system for an apartment or a private residential building, of course, will give the owner a huge amount of knowledge and experience, but we recommend that before building a system at a residential facility, discuss with our specialist the possibilities of a future intelligent building, ways to implement them and possible difficulties implementation in order to be completely confident in their abilities.

About how the Belarusian company "Nero Electronics" started manufacturing components for a smart home. They took the matter seriously and even turned to Lebedev's studio, where they helped with the design of Belarusian devices. The key difference between the system, according to the manufacturer, is that it can be mounted independently without special skills. It is enough to be a moderately brutal man who knows how to hold a screwdriver in his hands and cling to the stepladder with his feet. We decided to test for ourselves how easy or difficult it is to make a smart apartment out of an ordinary apartment.

Understanding what and why you need is seemingly simple. It is enough to figure out how many points in the house need to be “wised up”, after which you can order devices. You will definitely need a server that will be responsible for setting up and managing the smart home from the application. Next - a bunch of sensors, remotes and relays. As it turned out, the issue must be approached responsibly. We, for example, scored devices with too much stock. Before moving on to the very process of teaching an apartment different smart things, first let's see what these devices are for.

Smart gadgets for a stupid apartment

Let's clarify that the system supports third-party sensors using the z-wave plus protocol with a frequency of 869 MHz. Belarusians do not have their own sensors, the company offers Polish Fibaro. If desired, you can connect any other sensors with a more humane price.

Server Oledo 7767 Host

The almost intelligent “head” of our house, which connects the command executors into a network, processes their indicators and allows you to control the system through an application via Wi-Fi or mobile Internet. There is support for GSM - you can install a SIM card so that the server sends SMS to the phone about certain events or receives commands through the same text messages to start some actions. But messages can also come directly to the application, so you can safely do without SMS.

The black box is equipped with a 500MHz processor, 512MB RAM, and 4GB storage. There is a battery that, according to the specifications, allows the device to last about 8 hours without being connected to the mains. The screen displays the current state of the server. Useful to find out the source of the problem in case of a lack of communication with the system.

Door and window opening sensor

We saw exactly the same or similar sensor for both y and y. The point is simple. In one set there are two cylinders - one is installed, for example, on the door leaf, and the second - on the door jamb. The sensors touched - it means that the door is closed, disconnected - it is open.

The larger one is attached with 3M double-sided adhesive tape, and the “baby” can be magnetized to the metal surface of the door frame.

Water leakage sensor

We are also familiar with such a thing since the review of the smart home from Beltelecom. You can place the sensor in a place of potential danger (for example, in the bathroom or in the kitchen). Leakage is determined by closing three metal legs with moisture. Additionally, the sensor is able to determine the temperature in the room.

Set and forget

Light, temperature and motion sensor

But this “eye” is already much more interesting. It is on this contraption that many smart home scenarios will be tied. For example, when the illumination level decreases relative to the set value, the lamp can automatically turn on. Has the temperature risen? We turn on the air conditioner. Did the person leave the room? Turn off all light sources. All three parameters can and should be combined.

The "eye" is attached to the plastic arc. It can be hung, for example, somewhere in the corner of the room, after which the sensor is placed there. And you can put it on any flat surface - the frame will hold on thanks to the flat "heel".

remote control button

Also seen before. You can remotely and wirelessly turn on or off the light or outlet. The device seemed to us of little use due to the presence of more interesting options for controlling the smart home system. But it can come in handy if you need an inconspicuous switch, for example, in the bathroom. Attaches with double sided tape.

Oledo Wall Mount

The same device that we preferred to the remote control button. With the help of a two-channel remote control, you can turn on / off the light or start and stop the execution of a particular scenario. Despite the simple description of functionality, in fact, this is a very nice thing that replaces the usual switches. This is because the Oledo is not tied to a wiring outlet - it is wireless and can be located anywhere. At least fill the whole room with such remotes.

There is a soft light indication of pressing. The remote control is attached to a flat wall holder, which, in turn, is attached to the wall with double-sided tape.

Oledo portable remote control

The same beautiful thing as a wall remote, but more advanced. Here you can already manage five objects. For example, a group of lamps in the hall, bedroom, kitchen, hallway, bathroom and toilet. Initially, the remote control has a sticker with hints. If you remove it, you will be left with a beautiful, minimalistically designed, but not very clear device. We got used to the location and purpose of the buttons for a couple of days, using the prompts on the film.

The device is equipped with an accelerometer. When you take the remote control in your hand, it automatically highlights the last active channel. The device can be left anywhere - just like a TV remote control. But in order to bring a little organization to life, the Belarusian manufacturer has provided a square magnetic holder. It, as you already understood, can be attached anywhere with adhesive tape, and then magnetize the remote control. Experimentally, it was found that Oledo is "friendly" with any metal surface, even with a refrigerator.

Remote in film

Remote without film

Smart Relay Intro

Here is the most necessary device for a smart home. It is thanks to him that automation of the work of lamps and sockets is possible. The bottom line is that the device is actually built into the existing circuit, taking control of turning something on and off. On the example of a lamp, everything looks like this: network wires are connected to Intro on one side, and wires from a chandelier or sconce on the other. After that, it will be possible to control the light source, underfloor heating and other electrical appliances both using a wireless remote control and through the application.

Embedded Oledo Remote

This device is needed in order to maintain the functionality of existing switches. The fact is that after installing the Intro relay, the lamp will no longer respond to the standard switch - it will be possible to control it only through the "Lebedev" remotes or a smartphone. The built-in remote control is installed in the mounting cup of the switch and connected to it.

In our opinion, so-so device. Still, if we make a smart home, then first of all we rely on new ways of managing it. And Oledo's built-in remote actually offers to keep what we already had. However, Nero Electronics notes that most people, on the contrary, strive to maintain the functionality of existing switches. This is understandable if we are talking about a ready-made design repair, which provided for the presence of a specific type of switches.

Note that all devices are wireless and communicate with each other via radio. This should greatly facilitate installation compared to conventional wired systems. Well, let's move from theory to practice.

And why am I not an electrician?

Setting up sensors and installing a server is easy. Remembering the experience with connecting a smart home from Beltelecom, we first set ourselves up for a long and full of bugs procedure. But no - the server "starts up" and finds the network via WPS within a minute.

In the same way, sensors, remotes, relays and other good things “jump” into the application installed on the smartphone. Somewhere you need to read the QR code from the box of the device, somewhere you additionally press the button hidden in the sensor.

But with the installation, people with improperly growing hands may have problems. In Nero Electronics, they believe that it will take an average man about 7 minutes to install one point for a handy man. I have to admit to my own "non-handiness" - in our case, it took more time. No, the same “eye” with motion, temperature and light sensors was taken and placed or hung where the soul wishes - there are no questions here. Or an opening / closing sensor - glued it on an adhesive tape and clap your hands.

But the relay ... Yes, there is a simple video instruction, but in life the most unexpected circumstances can interfere with you. Stretch ceilings, short stature and a small stepladder, the lack of a screwdriver of the right size, all these tinting of “phase”, “earth” and “zero” ... And if you come across a tricky lamp with a bunch of “extra” wires, then it’s quite a disaster.

True, over time, the necessary “skills” are pumped over, and the work is simplified. It took me about 30 minutes to automate the first point in the bedroom. This is taking into account the nuances in the form of finding the right tools and finding out the reasons why it didn’t work the first time. Here we met with an important nuance, which was mentioned above. Once you connect the Intro smart relay to a luminaire, it will no longer be possible to control it with a conventional switch.

In order to leave the functionality of the switch, it must be disconnected from the power supply and connected to the Oledo built-in remote control. At first I did that, but then I decided that it was superfluous. Instead, I reconnected the switch to the mains and left it in the on position. At the same time, the light did not turn on, but the lamp began to respond to commands from the smart remote control and the application. Automation also kicked in. That is precisely why the built-in remote control in our case turned out to be superfluous.

ON

It seems to be something complicated - take it and automate everything around, get smarter with the house! But for this you will have to master the application, and this is not as easy as it seems. The interface of the program seems to be confusing from the habit, many actions are scattered across different menus. For example, to set up a timer relay, you need to go to a separate menu, although, in our opinion, it would be logical to duplicate the same functionality when programming events.

The difference between events and scripts, administrator and super-administrator rights is not entirely obvious. In all this, it is unlikely that you will be able to understand the theory - you need to master the wide, but intricate possibilities of the application directly in the process of teaching your home. It also doesn't hurt to check with the manufacturer.

Wishlist

We have a standard two-room apartment. Silly as a cork. The task is to turn a dwelling from a dull cave into a spaceship that will not be able to fly into space, but will at least slightly simplify our everyday life.

After some thought, after studying the capabilities of a smart home from Nero Electronics, it was decided to do the following:

1. In the hallway, the light should turn on automatically when a person enters the apartment, as well as when he moves at dusk. Without human participation, all good things must also be turned off.
2. Bathroom. It's simple: went in - the light turned on, went out - went out.
3. There are more light sources in the hall. It was decided not to touch the main light with automation, leaving the opportunity to illuminate the room to its fullest using a portable remote control. Two floor lamps should be switched on in low natural light conditions and in the presence of a person.
4. Balcony. This room is small, but advanced. It is equipped with a full-fledged office with a computer, a squiggly lamp and a warm floor. The task is to turn on the heating at temperatures below 19 degrees, provided that there is a person here, that is, me.

Let us clarify that the described case of apartment automation is not the most ideal in terms of possibilities. So, in the test version of housing there was no air conditioning, electrovalves blocking the water, roller blinds. Imagine how the curtains themselves rise and fall depending on a given threshold value of illumination. The same air conditioner can heat or cool the room by the arrival of the owner. If there are children, then for them you can set the work of the set-top box, computer and TV according to the schedule. All this is cool, but our tasks were more trivial.

Reality

We start making dreams come true from the hallway. We install an open / close sensor on the door and slope. In the application, we prescribe the condition: if the sensor detects the opening of the door (at the same time, the illumination is below 100 lux and there is movement), the lamp turns on. Works! To automatically turn off the light, a timer was set in the relay settings - 5 minutes. This is more than enough to remove outer clothing. And you can do it without a timer - by setting automatic shutdown when there is no movement in the hallway.

The light in the hallway also turns on when motion is detected, if the illumination is below 100 lux. Turns off if there is no movement.

From the hallway, everything was automated with a bang. The bathroom is more difficult. Install a second open/close sensor. Light up the opening - done! But how do you pay it off when you're out? Do you turn off the light when you close the door? Then you won't be able to close the bathroom door when you go in. Maybe add a motion sensor? Here it is necessary to make a technical explanation. As soon as the sensor has detected movement, it makes the next poll of the situation in 30 seconds. If at this moment you are lying relaxed in the bath, no movement will be detected and the light will go out.

But what if you program the light off to open the door too? Perhaps the system will sequentially execute different commands in a chain? That is, at first, as soon as you open the sash to go in to take a shower, the lamp will turn on. And the shutdown command will work a second time when you are already leaving. Alas, but no - in this situation, the lamp turns on sequentially and immediately turns off at the first operation of the opening sensor.

As a result, they found such a way out: when entering the bathroom, the light turns on automatically using an open / close sensor. But we turn it off ourselves through the Oledo remote control.

The heating of the balcony turned out very well. True, during testing, the temperature there did not fall below 19 degrees, so for the sake of the experiment, a threshold value of 23 degrees was set. You go onto the balcony, the sensor detects the movement and the temperature of 22 degrees - the warm floor immediately turns on. As soon as the temperature rises to 23 degrees, the heating is turned off.

We thought that the following problem might arise: you are sitting on the balcony at the computer, the temperature has reached 23 degrees - the warm floor is turned off, the temperature drops, but the sensor does not detect movement and you start to freeze slowly. As practice has shown, you will not sit at a computer completely motionless. Let the "eye" detect you not immediately, but it will find you anyway, and the extra few seconds or even minutes in this case do not matter - the system will work and will not leave you alone with frost-covered windows.

It is important to note that the sensor, as in all similar systems, reacts to pets. Therefore, if your cat in the absence of the owner looks at the open balcony, the system will turn on the heating for him. And you may end up with a nasty electricity bill at the end of the month. If we are dealing with a clearly normalized working day, then as a way out of the situation, you can set the schedule for turning on the underfloor heating. For example, the event does not fire on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

When automating the lighting of the hall again had to compromise. The inclusion of floor lamps, depending on the illumination and when moving, works fine. I had to forget about the automatic shutdown again. Imagine that you are watching TV. On the couch. Lying or sitting. There is really little movement. In general, it all comes down to the fact that the system will constantly turn on and off the floor lamps. They say that the issue is solved by installing a second motion sensor at the exit from the hall, but we have not yet been able to verify this.

We automate the lamp in the bedroom

In addition to everything planned, they made a smart socket to turn off the TV remotely (just to have it). All lighting as a separate scenario was tied to a portable remote control, which was installed at the front door. They pressed one button before exiting - and everything is de-energized. But even if they didn’t, the status of a smart home can be tracked anywhere via the Internet. In the same way, you can manage individual objects.

Impression

The possibilities of a smart home are much more than those that we have described. We got the impression that the system will be of more interest to owners of large apartments and spacious private houses, stuffed with various kinds of home and climate equipment. Add here a couple of cameras for video surveillance (Belarusians do not produce cameras, but almost any model with Wi-Fi should be suitable), electric drives for roller shutters or roller blinds and smart relays in each socket or lamp - and here we have a ready-made system.

As for a small city apartment, at first retraining it into a smart one seems like a far-fetched idea. But gradually you get used to even small amenities. We, for example, really enjoyed using both the wall-mounted and portable remote controls.

During the testing of a smart home from Nero Electronics, we noticed several features that are important to consider. So, the presence of a pet will become an obstacle to the creation of a simple algorithm. You will have to strain your imagination, use several sensors at once so that the smart home outwits the cat, or carefully look for such an installation angle that would not capture a pet sneaking across the laminate.

The NeroHome application is still damp. It's not even about usability, it's about performance. Somehow our smartphone stopped connecting to the server. No matter what we did, the program did not want to log in either via the mobile Internet or via Wi-Fi. A couple of days later, the application wrote that it was not compatible with the system and needed to be updated. At the same time, there was no update on Google Play. I had to contact the manufacturer, who shared the current apk file. As noted in the company, we are talking about a single failure in the transitional test period.

And the application is very “gluttonous”. With NeroHome running even in the background, the smartphone may not survive until the middle of the day. Not surprising, since the program constantly communicates with the server and updates the data. You have to check all the time whether you forgot to unload the application from the phone's memory. It is better to immediately activate the disconnection function when working in the background in the settings.

As for the cost, the arithmetic is as follows. In our case, one Oledo server, one portable and three wall-mounted remote controls, five motion / temperature / light sensors, two door open sensors and seven Intro smart relays went to a two-room apartment. Not much, given that up to a thousand devices can be supported on a single system. The cost of the kit was about 2,700 rubles, and exactly half of this amount falls on Polish sensors.

The smart home system from Nero Electronics still needs to be developed. It can be seen that a lot of work was done on it, a huge number of little things were thought out, and the design was approached on a grand scale. On the other hand, much remains to be done, primarily at the program level.

The price, in our opinion, may scare away some potential buyers. Therefore, it is advisable to take the time to carefully consider all the functionality of a smart home, all scenarios and events. Perhaps it makes sense to look for more budget sensors. You see, with the optimal arrangement, they will need less than we used.

Recently, the phrase smart House” is becoming more common, but not everyone understands what is hidden behind these words. It is rather difficult to characterize such a system, since different companies provide kits aimed at different areas. But in general, a smart home implies increased comfort, high security and practicality. Despite the high cost of installing and maintaining systems, you do not need to be a very rich person to equip your apartment or house with everything you need.

Smart home design

First of all, you need to decide on the necessary functions. Installation companies of such systems offer one-piece kits, which usually contain not only everything you need, but also a lot of additional (and often completely useless) things. There is a certain plus in self-assembly of the system - you can install only those functions that you need. Most often, people are interested in the management of light and heating, door locks and alarms, fire safety. The second very important point is the way these functions are managed. If earlier access to them was possible only through the control panel, now it is possible to remotely configure and adjust.

Based on the requirements, you need to calculate the amount of materials needed. This includes not only the server itself, but also controllers, wires, wi-fi. The purchase of all these important elements, of course, will require investments. But the amount you spend will be much less than the cost of the finished version.

Smart home: server or computer

This question will definitely come up in front of you in the planning process. The fact is that the server will certainly require more investments than a regular personal computer with the appropriate program. But it also has more functionality. In addition, the PC at least sometimes needs to be rebooted, which will cause a system crash. A constantly running computer fails faster, but this does not threaten the server.

Whatever you choose, you should also take care of special software for creating a smart home. You can link several systems or use only one - it depends solely on the needs and willingness to deal with constantly emerging new programs.

Security systems

Very often, the creation of such a system begins with the desire of the owner of an apartment or house to control what is happening around. Video cameras are installed in the right places, the signal from which is transmitted directly to the computer. Thus, all information can be stored on the hard disk and overwritten, for example, after ten days. If you have such a desire, then you can connect remote access. So, while at work, you will know exactly what is happening near your home.

Another very handy thing is the lock control. You can set it to open or close from the control panel or smartphone. This function is very convenient, but it also has its own pitfalls. Carefully examine the lock, it must be able to be mechanically accessed. Otherwise, in the event of a power outage, you will not be able to enter or leave the house.

Do-it-yourself smart home: comfort

How many times have you encountered the fact that the switch is located in an inconvenient place. How you do not want to get out of bed to put out the light. The smart home system solves this problem very simply. On all switches in the rooms, special devices are installed that allow you to remotely control the light. If you want to change the level of illumination, then you can not do without dimmers. You can also smoothly adjust the operation of the lamps from the remote control or smartphone.

Professionals recommend taking care of the humidity level in your home. This feature may not seem necessary to everyone, however, a properly selected humidity level will provide you with not only a healthy sound sleep, but also less dust. In addition, in rooms with windows facing the sunny side, as well as throughout the house, during the operation of the heating system, the air is much drier than the recommended minimum.

Is it profitable?

Spending a lot of money on the ability to remotely monitor the house and switch the light may seem unjustified. But it's not just about convenience. The smart home system even allows you to control all outlets. Forgot to turn off the iron or electric stove? Not a problem. You can do it remotely.

In addition, through the control panel, you can set up a special schedule for some devices. For example, turn on the coffee maker at seven in the morning. Of course, you will have to put all the necessary ingredients on your own in the evening. You can also set up a schedule for the air conditioner.

Such moments allow you to save electricity. Let the amount at first seem small to you, but gradually it will accumulate.

Particular attention should be paid to the regulation of the heating system. Of course, to install it, you will need special temperature sensors in each room. But then you can set the exact temperature for the bedroom, bathroom or living room. Plus, you don't have to waste heat. A smart home can turn off the heating immediately after you leave the house, and turn it on one to two hours before returning.

Simple Conveniences

If you understand that you have no desire, need or opportunity to create such a system, then pay attention to individual elements. So, for example, a controlled lock is synchronized directly with your smartphone. By choosing the right application, you can not only open the door with one touch of your finger, but also send special invitations to your friends. They will quietly open the door during the specified period with a message without distracting you from cooking.

There are also special “smart” lamps that can also receive messages from your smartphone. They are not only durable, but also easy to manage, however, the cost is quite high.