What are that compose an Home Automation components?
First, an Home Automation System is made up of 3 general components:
- Brain;
- Smart devices; and
- Controlling Component.
It is true that some smart system will work with only 2 home automation components: Smart Device and the Controlling component. And, in this case the control is most often an app or a “hands-free” multipurpose controlling device.
But most and more complex home automation system works with the 3 components working in harmony.
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Now, let’s take a look at the different elements composing an Home Automation system.
The Brain
This home automation component could be considered as the command center of your smart home.
And, it’s this piece of equipment that connects all, or most of all, individual Smart Devices and allows two way communication with you through a single point of entry device/system.
Ready made solutions
There are different hubs made by different OEMs availlable on the market.
Also, some of those smart hubs are only working with devices made by the same manufacturer while others can control devices from a plethora of manufacturers.
As such, when selecting a Smart Hub, you need to be careful. You need to identify what smart devices you want to centrally control with their associated communication protocol.
Why?
Because, some Smart Hubs “know” fewer communication protocol then others.
The Amazon Echo Dot is a good example. It’s an awesome, small footprint, voice controlled Smart Hub that can control some smart devices. However, it’s limited to communicate only through Wifi and Bluetooth.
On the other hand, the Samsung SmartThing Smart Hub has a much more varied communication protocol inventory: Wifi, Zigbee, Zwave, Bluetooth and IFTT. As such, this Smart Hub is able to connect to a higher number of Smart Devices.
DIY solution
You don’t need to be a super tech savvy, electronic geek to get into making a DIY Smart Hub.
And, the great advantage of a this solution is the versatility and ease of upgrade of your Smart Hub. As such, using this solution you can potentially add ANY Smart Devices to your Home Automation ecosystem.
A good example for a DIY solution would be a Raspberry pi or as a kit, a cheap and very efficient “card sized” computer, used in conjonction with one of the open source Home Automation software such as: OpenHab, Prota or Domoticz.
Smart Devices
If the smart hub is the brain, the Smart Devices are the legs, arms, eyes, nose of your system.
Indeed, they are the workhorse and they are the home automation components that will follow the commands given by the brain.
Also, these home automation components are used to increase the versatility of your system, without them, your system would not be able to monitor anything or to have any impact on your environment.
Here is a few examples of the functionality that these Smart Devices adds to your ecosystem:
Lighting control.
Probably one of the most simple smart devices to install and use. From lightbulbs to smart dimmers, these controllable component will make sure that you have total control on your house lighting. Many OEM are playing in this arena, GE, Philips and Belkins to name a few.
Energy management.
Energy management includes all matter of devices to monitor and control your energy use. Smart switches, smart plugs and smart strips are all components that are used for energy management. Some Energy Monitoring Solutions requires the help of a certified electrician to install but will give you an integrated view of you complete home energy usage.
Water Management.
If you are a gardener like I am, or if you want your yard green all summer long, there are water management solution that will control your sprinklers. These are mostly useful in area where you have some form of limitation or a reduced water cost during certain hours. Orbit B-Hyve and Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controler are two powerful systems that will help you control your water flow.
Environmental Control System.
This category of smart devices often dovetail the energy management one. Controlling your environment makes for great energy savings. The most popular are Smart Thermostat, such as the Nest learning thermostat and Echobee, will give you all the control you need to make for a comfortable and energy saving environment.
Entertainment.
Most people don’t really know this, but Wireless speakers (those Bose speaker are simply amazing!) are actually smart devices! Smart TVs, projectors and other other devices that connect to your wifi, make sure that you can control all of your entertainment at your finger tips.
Security.
Smart locks, Smart doorbells, motion sensors, water detection devices and security cameras are only a small fraction of the smart devices that can be used to increase your home and loved ones safety.
Smart Appliances.
Already small appliances, such as Slow Cookers and coffee machines have been connected to your wifi for a few years. Also, Smart refrigerators, smart ovens and washing machines are assaulting the market and it’s only a matter of time until they are part of your smart ecosystem.
The Nerves
Our Smart Home now has a brain and some sensory functions. Which is great, but if you cannot communicate with them, there is no purpose to try to monitor and control you home. Most smart devices comes with a companion app that can be used to communicate with it.
And, you only need to download the app and your link will be created!
However, if you want to have an integrated smart home and you want to go through the Home Automation Brain, it will require a bit more work.
That being said, with most COTS system, the addition of a smart device into the system is quite straightforward. Controlling the system is also, normally, quite intuitive using a special dashboard.
Also, most DIY system using the aforementioned software are also easy to modify. And, sometimes you might need to add new hardware to be able to communicate with some devices.
On the software side, the community has already been able to create virtual hubs to be able to communicate with a plethora of smart devices from an increasing number of OEMs.
Additional Components
Although not technically part of the home automation system, some components will play a key role in the well being of your Smart Home.
You internet connection, your modem and your router will all play a critical role in it. Without them you will not be able to control nor monitor your Smart Home and all your little gadgets will be useless.
As such, A high-speed internet connection, a good Wi-fi router with sufficient coverage are critical to the smooth connectivity and operation of your system.
The End
You have now a good idea of what component are required to be able to call your Home a Smart one. With all that information you are almost ready to begin your journey into the World of Home Automation.
The next step is easy.
Just click here to access a good Home Automation: Beginner’s Guide.
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