Smart Home in wireless technology - a guide
(Sponsored) Smart Home wireless technology - a guide
The hallmark of smart home systems being developed today is to expand their capabilities while simplifying how they are installed and configured. At the moment, the average smartphone user, able to set up Wi-Fi access, will be able to automate their home without the costly involvement of specialists.
When we become the owner of a secondary market flat or house, we are additionally burdened with the baggage of very costly renovations and building alterations to bring the property up to a satisfactory level of quality. What if we want to become the owner of an automated home?
Smart home technology enthusiasts opting for the installation of a smart home system that does not require the wiring to be laid out for it can save hundreds of zlotys with this choice.
Smart Home how to get started? `
The smart home systems market is growing rapidly. There are now at least a few starter kits available in the shops to start the adventure of automating the home and improving the security of the household. The kits vary in their wealth of equipment and price spectrum. A set allowing the control of temperature, humidity, containing motion detectors, a contraption can be purchased for a few hundred zlotys. There is no upper limit, as the Fibaro systems start at amounts well over PLN 1,500. It is worth choosing a system which we will be able to install on our own, thus not generating additional costs. In many cases, the installation of the systems is very simple and does not trouble the average user. Let us look at how to start such an installation.
Why ZigBee technology?
Alarm and smart home systems must be based on a reliable communication protocol for the individual devices that make up the system. The system should work properly even if one of its components fails. For this to happen, the network formed by the nodes should be of type mesh . A broken node in such a system is intelligently bypassed and an alternative path is found, so that communication and management of devices is still possible. The ZigBee communication protocol provides just this type of device interconnection.
Another characteristic that underpins this system is its energy efficiency. Thanks to minimal energy requirements, the end devices, specific detectors, are able to operate without changing batteries for many years, ensuring the safety of the occupants and increasing their comfort of life.
Heart of the Smart Home system - hub/central unit
The construction of each smart home system begins with a discussion of its heart, the hub often referred to as the gateway device this often supports several communication standards, which allow the system to be controlled on the one hand and the user to control it remotely on the other. The user controls the hub via an app available for smartphones, connecting to it via the internet and Wi-Fi. In addition, the hub can act as a siren and warn of detected threats with a light signal.
Configuration, management, arming the system, querying detectors for their status, all these functions are performed by this device.
Secure window openings, doors, gates
A signal that a window or door has been opened while we are away from home indicates an attempted burglary. In order to detect this type of unauthorised action, windows and doors should be secured with a multifunctional sensor. The reed switch is a small component consisting of two parts, which are fixed in parallel on the moving window/door sash and its frame. The multifunctional smart home sensor is also suitable for securing office cupboard doors storing important company documents, garage doors, ceiling flaps leading to the attic, etc.
Motion detectors
Motion sensors detect the presence of people in guarded premises. They allow the user to obtain information about an approaching attacker and can also determine the occupancy of rooms in the house. As the installation of the sensor is simply a matter of sticking it to a selected spot on the wall, the user only needs to be mindful of its detection areas in order to make optimal use of its capabilities.
Flood detector - bathroom guard
The flooding detector is distinctive due to its design. It consists of a detector and a probe which, thanks to its small size, can be placed even in inaccessible areas at risk of flooding. Here again, the advantage of wireless communication of the system components is worth emphasising. Installation of the detector takes seconds and requires no chiselling, no destruction of tiles, wall structure or additional wiring. It is a good idea to protect all rooms with water and sewage system valves with a flood detector. This is most often the floor area around the shower, bath, washbasin, washing machine, wc, but also the dishwasher and sink. In detached houses, we should consider protecting basements. Particularly in hard-to-reach or infrequently visited areas, it is worth placing a flood detector to prevent the damage that a water leak can cause.
Autonomous sensors
Alarm systems can include standalone sensors that will also serve their purpose without being connected to a hub/central unit. This type of device can include sensors for detecting chad and smoke detectors. The standalone sensor in such cases is equipped with systems to warn the user of the danger, such as a siren and an LED beacon. The downside of using these system components autonomously is the lack of control and monitoring, available remotely from the hub management application.
Remote management of a smart home system
The strength and usefulness of the Smart Home is determined by its ability to be managed remotely using mobile devices. The system administrator, thanks to the appropriate application, can monitor the home environment, as well as remotely issue commands to household appliances. How easy it is to use the app to configure the chimney detector and update it can be seen in the example instructional video of Ferguson's SmartHome system.
Intelligent socket - remote control of electrical appliances
With smart sockets, the user gains the ability to remotely control connected devices. It becomes possible to schedule the activities of these devices and create scenes involving them. An additional plus is often the ability to monitor the electricity consumed by a device.
IP cameras - remote home monitoring
Smart Home system administrators concerned about application alert signals have the ability to view and record video from their home thanks to IP cameras. Current cameras provide Full HD video recording, have a built-in microphone and speaker, and LEDs to illuminate the room in night-time conditions. Thanks to the motors installed in the camera, the user can rotate the camera from their smartphone or tablet, monitoring the room in which it has been placed.
Infrared transmitter - one to rule them all
Smart home systems can include IR transmitters. These are devices that can be taught to operate and control all the white goods/appliances that normally need to be managed by an IR remote control. Using a single transmitter, we can remotely control the TV set placed in the room, the DVB-T/S/C receiver, home cinema, air conditioner, roller blinds, LED lighting and so on. Timers and the ability to create scenes are very useful functions of the IR transmitter.
Smart Home - it's the present
The smart home is slowly becoming ubiquitous. ZigBee technology, used to manage household appliances/RTVs, is now being used by some of the world's biggest companies. The LG smart fridge, the Indesit’u smart washing machine are just a few examples of the use of this wireless protocol. Developments in the technology itself are making it more accessible and cheaper every year. Home management from a smartphone by a Kowalski is not a distant future, but a turn of events for which we are already mentally ready. SmartHome Security Kits show how easy it is to do it yourself.
Sponsored article //gulson
The hallmark of smart home systems being developed today is to expand their capabilities while simplifying how they are installed and configured. At the moment, the average smartphone user, able to set up Wi-Fi access, will be able to automate their home without the costly involvement of specialists.
When we become the owner of a secondary market flat or house, we are additionally burdened with the baggage of very costly renovations and building alterations to bring the property up to a satisfactory level of quality. What if we want to become the owner of an automated home?
Smart home technology enthusiasts opting for the installation of a smart home system that does not require the wiring to be laid out for it can save hundreds of zlotys with this choice.
Smart Home how to get started? `
The smart home systems market is growing rapidly. There are now at least a few starter kits available in the shops to start the adventure of automating the home and improving the security of the household. The kits vary in their wealth of equipment and price spectrum. A set allowing the control of temperature, humidity, containing motion detectors, a contraption can be purchased for a few hundred zlotys. There is no upper limit, as the Fibaro systems start at amounts well over PLN 1,500. It is worth choosing a system which we will be able to install on our own, thus not generating additional costs. In many cases, the installation of the systems is very simple and does not trouble the average user. Let us look at how to start such an installation.
Why ZigBee technology?
Alarm and smart home systems must be based on a reliable communication protocol for the individual devices that make up the system. The system should work properly even if one of its components fails. For this to happen, the network formed by the nodes should be of type mesh . A broken node in such a system is intelligently bypassed and an alternative path is found, so that communication and management of devices is still possible. The ZigBee communication protocol provides just this type of device interconnection.
Another characteristic that underpins this system is its energy efficiency. Thanks to minimal energy requirements, the end devices, specific detectors, are able to operate without changing batteries for many years, ensuring the safety of the occupants and increasing their comfort of life.
Heart of the Smart Home system - hub/central unit
The construction of each smart home system begins with a discussion of its heart, the hub often referred to as the gateway device this often supports several communication standards, which allow the system to be controlled on the one hand and the user to control it remotely on the other. The user controls the hub via an app available for smartphones, connecting to it via the internet and Wi-Fi. In addition, the hub can act as a siren and warn of detected threats with a light signal.
Configuration, management, arming the system, querying detectors for their status, all these functions are performed by this device.
Secure window openings, doors, gates
A signal that a window or door has been opened while we are away from home indicates an attempted burglary. In order to detect this type of unauthorised action, windows and doors should be secured with a multifunctional sensor. The reed switch is a small component consisting of two parts, which are fixed in parallel on the moving window/door sash and its frame. The multifunctional smart home sensor is also suitable for securing office cupboard doors storing important company documents, garage doors, ceiling flaps leading to the attic, etc.
Motion detectors
Motion sensors detect the presence of people in guarded premises. They allow the user to obtain information about an approaching attacker and can also determine the occupancy of rooms in the house. As the installation of the sensor is simply a matter of sticking it to a selected spot on the wall, the user only needs to be mindful of its detection areas in order to make optimal use of its capabilities.
Flood detector - bathroom guard
The flooding detector is distinctive due to its design. It consists of a detector and a probe which, thanks to its small size, can be placed even in inaccessible areas at risk of flooding. Here again, the advantage of wireless communication of the system components is worth emphasising. Installation of the detector takes seconds and requires no chiselling, no destruction of tiles, wall structure or additional wiring. It is a good idea to protect all rooms with water and sewage system valves with a flood detector. This is most often the floor area around the shower, bath, washbasin, washing machine, wc, but also the dishwasher and sink. In detached houses, we should consider protecting basements. Particularly in hard-to-reach or infrequently visited areas, it is worth placing a flood detector to prevent the damage that a water leak can cause.
Autonomous sensors
Alarm systems can include standalone sensors that will also serve their purpose without being connected to a hub/central unit. This type of device can include sensors for detecting chad and smoke detectors. The standalone sensor in such cases is equipped with systems to warn the user of the danger, such as a siren and an LED beacon. The downside of using these system components autonomously is the lack of control and monitoring, available remotely from the hub management application.
Remote management of a smart home system
The strength and usefulness of the Smart Home is determined by its ability to be managed remotely using mobile devices. The system administrator, thanks to the appropriate application, can monitor the home environment, as well as remotely issue commands to household appliances. How easy it is to use the app to configure the chimney detector and update it can be seen in the example instructional video of Ferguson's SmartHome system.
Intelligent socket - remote control of electrical appliances
With smart sockets, the user gains the ability to remotely control connected devices. It becomes possible to schedule the activities of these devices and create scenes involving them. An additional plus is often the ability to monitor the electricity consumed by a device.
IP cameras - remote home monitoring
Smart Home system administrators concerned about application alert signals have the ability to view and record video from their home thanks to IP cameras. Current cameras provide Full HD video recording, have a built-in microphone and speaker, and LEDs to illuminate the room in night-time conditions. Thanks to the motors installed in the camera, the user can rotate the camera from their smartphone or tablet, monitoring the room in which it has been placed.
Infrared transmitter - one to rule them all
Smart home systems can include IR transmitters. These are devices that can be taught to operate and control all the white goods/appliances that normally need to be managed by an IR remote control. Using a single transmitter, we can remotely control the TV set placed in the room, the DVB-T/S/C receiver, home cinema, air conditioner, roller blinds, LED lighting and so on. Timers and the ability to create scenes are very useful functions of the IR transmitter.
Smart Home - it's the present
The smart home is slowly becoming ubiquitous. ZigBee technology, used to manage household appliances/RTVs, is now being used by some of the world's biggest companies. The LG smart fridge, the Indesit’u smart washing machine are just a few examples of the use of this wireless protocol. Developments in the technology itself are making it more accessible and cheaper every year. Home management from a smartphone by a Kowalski is not a distant future, but a turn of events for which we are already mentally ready. SmartHome Security Kits show how easy it is to do it yourself.
Sponsored article //gulson
Comments
This system (and probably all others on the market) is at best an automation system. It lacks intelligence. [Read more]
Because such has not yet been created. So there is nothing to cling to. When touchscreen phones are called Smart Phones nobody screams and when automation is called smart there is smoke. [Read more]
For me, wireless communication is always a topic for a longer discussion. On the one hand, it is now possible to build miniature devices, powered by batteries and communicating wirelessly with the rest... [Read more]
Don't you think that half of these are gadgets that are not at all necessary and make life very complicated? I've stuffed a lot of electronics into my house and now I'm servicing it, and I can see that... [Read more]
In my opinion, sensors and other 'smart' gadgets powered and communicating via UTP are the best (when building a new house). No more problems with range, power supply or interference. And twisted-pair... [Read more]
@submariner I was waiting to hear from a practitioner who uses a similar system. It's certain that a lot of gadgets are redundant, however everyone may have different ideas and needs. For example, for... [Read more]
Unnecessary gadgets are e.g. control of lighting via the net: when I'm lying in bed, I don't really want to look for a smartphone, for example, which is usually not at hand, and it takes time just to launch... [Read more]
Maybe it should shout ? Today we hear "premiere at 12:30 and 17:10" - what do you mean two premieres ? Unfortunately we make a lot of mistakes but that doesn't mean it should be passed over in silence.... [Read more]
Everyone will expect different functions, so it is good that there are different products available. E.g. for me it would be important to monitor (e.g. flooding/smoke) rooms such as the basement attic,... [Read more]
Price on Allegro around 160-170PLN and already achievable which used to be a miracle. [Read more]
Maybe it's old-fashioned, but I must admit that I am surprised by the sheepish enthusiasm for the possibilities of modern home electronics. It's as if getting up from a chair and switching a light was... [Read more]
Fundamental considerations if you are securing your home like this because you want to save money on an alarm system: - immunity to interference, operation when there is no communication with an element,... [Read more]
If our great-grandmothers got up and saw metal birds flying with thunder they would surely have even worse thoughts than the mate. Progress (whatever it may be) will not be stopped by the mate. There... [Read more]
I'm not fighting against progress, I'm just pointing out that sometimes we behave like kids who heard about Pokemon. Mankind survived for a million years without Pokémon until suddenly massive advertising... [Read more]
I for one have already cured myself of this approach (I used to have a similar one). It's a matter of those who buy a router and leave WiFI unprotected with default passwords to the panel. You can't cure... [Read more]