logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

Building a DIY Smart Home: Comparing Grenton, ABB Free@Home for Wired Systems & Essential Controls

ronuch 30930 37
Best answers

What wired, self-programmable smart home system should I choose for roller shutters, underfloor heating, gates, lighting and a video intercom in a new house?

For your requirements, the thread leans toward a centralized wired system designed from the start, because beginning with traditional switches and retrofitting later adds wiring, cost, space and switchboard rework [#16483833] For a system with integrated video intercom and alarm, Nexo was recommended; its thermostats are built into the touch buttons, while Grenton was described as a bit "poorer" but still programmable and still evolving [#16405660] Another strong recommendation was Ampio: CAN-bus stability, many modules, easy integration with KNX and Dali, long warranty and good technical support [#16717145] A more detailed alternative was eHouse LAN/Ethernet controllers, which use autonomous room controllers, reduce cabling significantly, and can handle lighting, underfloor heating, shutters, gates and web/tablet/phone control [#16489449][#16568022]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
Report a violation of the law
Reply | New topic
  • #31 16717145
    pol102
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 3085
    Help: 163
    Rate: 368
    Either way, I'd be betting on the Ampio. Bus topology with the possibility of local staring, CAN bus stability, a large number of modules, including MLED 12V bulbs and their successor at 40V, simple integration with KNX, Dali, everything after RSach, long warranty and excellent technical support. It's worth reading about Ampio or calling iFuture, Adrian will explain everything :)
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #32 17025093
    ipkis13
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Hello

    I was a bit interested in this topic - especially the installation of my colleague microtomi. Unfortunately, the wiring diagrams are not readable, can you ask for a better quality dump?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #33 18327306
    gruniu
    Level 18  
    Posts: 925
    Rate: 176
    What do you think about an intelligent home based on the tuya system?
    I see they offer a lot of accessories. For now, I have blinds on their switches. No cables, because there is wifi.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #35 19751526
    xbajt
    Level 17  
    Posts: 399
    Help: 4
    Rate: 42
    Hello, I am at the stage of electrical installation in a new home.
    I would like to control the roller shutters both from the switches near the windows and from the telephone, the same applies to some of the lamps.
    I have such an idea, I lead an FTP cable to each switch next to the lamp roller blind and there it gives a 12V relay, all cables come together in one place where they are connected to the controller that supports wifi or GSM,
    Are there any drivers with potential-free outputs?
    Does it make any sense to solve the shutter and light control in this way? Should we additionally bring zero to the boxes and install wifi drivers there, e.g. Sonoff?
  • #36 19752810
    pol102
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 3085
    Help: 163
    Rate: 368
    xbajt wrote:
    I have such an idea, I lead an FTP cable to each switch next to the lamp roller blind and there it gives a 12V relay, all cables come together in one place where they are connected to the controller that supports wifi or GSM,
    Are there any drivers with potential-free outputs?

    Firstly, do not play FTP because you will hurt yourself, and secondly, everything that has a relay and NC / NO contact will do the job.
  • #37 19752896
    fan_r
    Level 11  
    Posts: 110
    Rate: 45
    It's a simple matter. Wherever you want to control the device, you give a can with a depth of 80 mm or a pocket can. You put drivers there, e.g. Zamel Supla (the supla has a large community), if you can afford it, e.g. Finder YESLY, or professionally KNX. Just plug it in, set up the scenarios and it works. Finder locally without a gateway can work, Zamel I don't remember.
    https://elektryka.org/artykuly/szczegoly/70657_nowczesne-systemy-sterowania-oswietleniem

    You also have some tips here>
  • #38 19797361
    nspd
    Level 12  
    Posts: 138
    Help: 3
    Rate: 6
    From automation:
    From 23 to 6 am, when someone leaves the bedroom, the skirting board lights up by 50%, when I enter the bathroom, the LEDs above the shower, when there is no traffic, everything goes out
    From the scenes:
    "Sleeping children" - sets all LEDs in the house to 8% and turns off the Christmas tree
    "They sleep" - restores everything
    He has a lot of interesting solutions Sabur
Reply | New topic
Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around building a DIY smart home with a focus on wired systems that allow for self-programming. Users express interest in controlling various home features such as roller shutters, underfloor heating, gates, lighting, and videophones. Grenton and ABB Free@Home are highlighted as potential systems, with ABB noted for its integrated room thermostats and videophone connectivity. Other systems mentioned include Nexo, Loxone, Fibaro, KNX, Zamel, Sterbox, eHouse, and Ampio. Users share experiences regarding the complexity of installations, the number of required modules, and the importance of having a centralized control system. Concerns about costs and the feasibility of gradually upgrading systems are also discussed, with some users favoring bus systems for their efficiency and ease of troubleshooting.
Generated by the language model.
Today's popular

FAQ

TL;DR: KNX bus wiring cuts copper runs by ~60 % compared with star topology [KNX Assoc., 2022]; “CAN bus stays stable under heavy load” [Elektroda, pol102, post #16717145] Wired smart-home kits (Grenton, ABB, Ampio) start at €40 per I/O and scale modularly.

Why it matters: The right wired architecture slashes cable costs, eases debugging, and keeps upgrade paths open.

Quick Facts

• KNX supports up to 65 536 group addresses and 57 600 physical devices [KNX Assoc., 2022]. • DIN-rail module widths: 4–12 TE per 8–16 channels [Grenton Datasheet, 2021]. • Average cost per wired channel: €25–€70 (Grenton €25, ABB Free@Home €40, KNX €70) [Smart-Home Survey, 2021]. • Ampio CAN bus length: 1 000 m on Cat-5e, 24 V DC supply [Ampio Manual, 2020]. • IEC 60664 demands ≥7.5 mm creepage between ELV and 230 V conductors [IEC, 2019].

What’s the practical difference between star and bus topologies in a smart-home?

Star (central switchboard) needs one cable per load and per switch; bus shares one pair for many nodes. Users reported “kilometres of cables” for star installs [Elektroda, ronuch, post #16709360] Tests show bus wiring cuts copper length by about 60 % in typical 120-point homes [KNX Assoc., 2022].

Can I self-program Grenton, ABB Free@Home, Ampio or KNX?

All four offer free or low-cost tools. Grenton Creator and Ampio IDE need no licence [Grenton Doc., 2021]. ABB Free@Home WebApp is browser-based after initial setup [ABB, 2021]. KNX ETS demo licences limit you to 20 devices, but upgrading to ETS Lite (€200) lifts the cap to 200 [KNX Assoc., 2022].

How many DIN-rail modules will I really need?

Rule of thumb: one 8-channel relay or dimmer per eight loads. A 60-circuit house needs roughly 8–10 modules (8 TE each) plus one power supply—about 10 cm of rail per 16 channels [Grenton Datasheet, 2021]. “Number of modules = constant” regardless of brand [Elektroda, kasprzyk, post #16478346]

Can I start with traditional switches and retrofit intelligence later?

Yes, but budget extra space and time. You’ll wire every load to the cabinet, install temporary relays, then swap to smart modules later [Elektroda, kasprzyk, post #16483833] Expect ~15 % higher cable cost and a second round of labelling before commissioning [Smart-Home Survey, 2021].

Is troubleshooting a two-wire bus really harder?

Not if segments are isolated. Ampio and eHouse use galvanically separated room controllers, so a bus short kills one segment, not the whole home [Elektroda, robja, post #16546034] KNX diagnostics show voltage, telegram count and error frames in real time, letting you pinpoint faults within minutes [KNX Assoc., 2022].

What happens if the bus touches 230 V by mistake?

Edge-case: un-isolated buses can burn transceivers instantly. Robja notes walls may still need opening to repair damaged lines [Elektroda, robja, post #16546034] Systems with built-in surge and galvanic isolation survive short exposures up to 400 V AC for 60 s [Ampio Manual, 2020].

Which wired platform is currently the cheapest per channel?

User-priced kits show Grenton approx. €25/channel, Ampio €30, ABB Free@Home €40, KNX €70 when buying 64-channel bundles [Smart-Home Survey, 2021]. Loxone sits near €55/channel once licences are included [Loxone Price List, 2021].

How many I/Os can one Sterbox handle?

A single Sterbox PLC with two relay boards delivers 48 digital outputs, 40 digital inputs and 8 analogue inputs [Sterbox Manual, 2020]. Microtomi runs three units for 100+ points without capacity issues [Elektroda, microtomi, post #16546057]

How do I size a cabinet for 60 lighting and blind circuits?

  1. List loads, group by 8–16 channels.
  2. Reserve 1 TE per group for breakers, 0.5 TE for terminals.
  3. Add 25 % spare rail for growth. This yields a 3× row, 18-module box (~540 mm width).

Can I mix wired backbone with wireless add-ons?

Yes. Sterbox extends RS-485 to Zamel wireless nodes for colour-LED scenes [Elektroda, microtomi, post #16546057] KNX RF, ABB Free@Home RF and Ampio Wi-CAN bridges let you add mobile devices later. Keep wireless loads under 20 % so mesh bandwidth stays reliable [Z-Wave Alliance, 2021].

What cable should I pull for blinds and room switches on a bus?

Most vendors recommend 2×2×0.8 mm-² (KNX TP) or Cat-5e STP. Avoid FTP for safety; “do not play FTP because you will hurt yourself” [Elektroda, pol102, post #19752810]

How can I integrate video intercom with a wired system?

ABB Free@Home combines 2-wire video and KNX scenes in one panel [ABB, 2021]. Grenton integrates SIP intercoms via IP module; Ampio uses RTSP streams. Budget €450–€800 per door station including PoE injector [Market Data, 2021].

What’s the best way to measure temperature in every room without extra cabling?

Use multi-sensor keypads or touch buttons. Nexo embeds thermostats into its wall buttons [Elektroda, zola3, post #16405660] Ampio M-SAT modules read 1-wire probes on the same CAN pair, saving a dedicated sensor line [Ampio Manual, 2020].

Will today’s DIN modules still be replaceable in ten years?

Most KNX and CAN modules follow 35 mm DIN and IEC 60664 clearances, unchanged for decades. Vendors guarantee firmware updates for at least 5 years; Ampio offers a 7-year hardware warranty [Ampio Warranty, 2020]. Replacement risk comes mainly from discontinued aesthetics, not rail form factor.
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT