Household appliances for a smart home. Smart control devices for a smart home. Wi-Fi relays from Russian manufacturers

The smart home system helps save time and make life much more comfortable. The elements of a smart home are, first of all, a control device, as well as equipment that executes commands, and a central controller. You can give commands to this system even from a distance using a mobile phone or tablet. A properly configured smart home system helps you save money every day and keeps all family members calm and in a good mood.

Equipment for organizing a “smart home”

Home automation is becoming more popular every year, and the variety of equipment for every taste and budget allows everyone to create an atmosphere of comfort in their home.

A smart home is based on a system that consists of many elements:

1. System management. This includes everything you need to command your home and get the actions you want. Depending on the chosen method, it can be a computer or tablet, mobile device, touch panel.
2. Controller. This is the main module, the basis of the entire system, which controls the discrete input and output.
3. Various sensors, temperature measuring instruments, sensors. They allow you to maintain the required level of comfort in the room and customize it at the owner’s request.
4. Modules expansion and connections. They connect the entire system to the control device.
5. Actuators, without which the functioning of a “smart home” is impossible. This includes relays that are produced in blocks, dimmers, and LED systems.

There are a large number of ready-made smart home projects, the equipment for which is sold as a kit. Installation of such a system does not take much time, and you can do it yourself. For connoisseurs of true comfort and those who want to completely customize their home to their needs, there is the opportunity to assemble the system yourself.

The advantages of this solution:

• You can connect absolutely all equipment and any communications in the house to a single control center;
• independent selection of the highest quality or budget equipment and software;
• choice of information transmission path.

Self-installation of the equipment will allow you to fully explore all the functions of the system, easily re-equip it if necessary and change settings.

Smart home control

A smart home is significantly superior to humans in terms of reaction speed and instant execution of all commands. This is especially nice when you want to relax after a hard day and not be distracted by little things, like the lights not being turned off and the need to make coffee. Correctly configured system performs all daily activities independently: makes toast and coffee, sends a robot vacuum cleaner to clean, fills a hot bath. There is no need for a person to interfere with the programmed process, but sometimes force majeure occurs that requires the participation of the owner.

There are 4 levels of control, from the most primitive to the modern, which does not require any effort.

Level one

In this level of control, various sensors constantly monitor the movements of the residents of the house, adjusting the level of comfort. For example, a temperature sensor can cause a room to heat up to a certain temperature when a person enters it. And the motion sensor turns on the light as soon as activity begins in the room.

Switches and regulators also belong to the first level. With their help, the owner can independently adjust any parameters, for example, the lighting level. Having selected a new mode, you can save it and make it one of the standard ones.

Level two

Control panels and panels that allow you to configure the system. The undoubted advantages include the ability to completely change settings and regulate the operation of various devices. The disadvantages include the individual focus of these control methods.

Each function requires your remote control or panel, the air conditioner will not “obey” the vacuum cleaner controls.

Level three

This is one of the most popular management levels, which is significantly inferior to all others.

These include:

1. Stationary and portable universal control panels. These are touch screens from which you can control absolutely the entire house. They can be fixed in one place or moved at the request of the owner and depending on the plan of the smart home
2. It is possible to change any settings and intervene in the work process.
3. Smartphone, tablet, computer. They work on the principle of universal panels when connected to the network.
4. Voice control. Incredibly convenient, but takes some getting used to. Directions must be given clearly and in a moderate volume.
5. Remote control. Allows you to send a command to the “smart home” while being outside it. This requires a tablet; some functions can be programmed via SMS.

Using one of these methods will help you feel the beauty of the smart home system.

Level four

The administrator has full access.

There can be several of them, controlled from a computer. A code word is required for access. In addition to the home owner, access to the fourth level of control is often given to engineers who maintain the system. The administrator has the ability to fully manage the entire building

Control areas of the smart home system

The smart home system allows you to easily control almost everything in the room. It doesn’t matter the area, the number of rooms, the complexity of the equipment and its quantity, or the layout - a smart home can cope with any apartment, cottage or office.

Using the system you can control:

1. Lighting. Initially, the owner adjusts the light according to his own parameters, for example, when darkness falls, the sensors give a signal and the street lights come on, and in the house the curtains are closed and the lamps are turned on. If necessary, you can adjust the settings using the controls.
2. Microclimate in the room. The system itself will heat the room when a person appears or at a certain time, and will maintain an economy mode if there is no need. Humidity, air composition and much more are adjusted automatically.
3. Ventilation and air conditioning. A constant flow of fresh air and prevention of overheating of the room can also be configured or adjusted independently.
4. Garden care and the surrounding area. Heating the water in the pool, cleaning it, watering the lawn and much more will happen automatically with the smart home system.
5. All household appliances and appliances in the house. If necessary, the system will brew coffee and make toast, send the vacuum cleaner to clean, and turn on the dishwasher.

Some system variants have a “presence simulation” function. It makes it possible to leave your home without worry, while others will assume that someone lives in the room. The smart home will open the curtains in the morning and close them at night. You can set the lights, music or TV to turn on periodically. Imitation of a barking dog or projected silhouettes of people on the windows will help you relax peacefully away from home, without worrying about the safety of your property.

Management - from simple to complex

The smart home system makes life much easier, helping you save time and enjoy comfort. A large selection of system options will allow you to assemble a “smart home” depending on the size of the room, the number of functions and financial capabilities.

Manufacturers of system equipment are constantly improving production, making it easier for buyers to care for their home. Having installed the most modern and complete set of equipment, you can forget about household chores, entrusting them to a “smart home”.

Country cottage at the finishing stage, the cable has already been installed “for automation”

Repair and construction work should always be carried out with reference to the future. Further plans for the arrangement of housing, the type and quantity of equipment used, the possibility of simply changing the parameters of the premises due to new circumstances (for example, the birth of a child) - all this is taken into account in advance, even at the project stage, thereby saving time and money. To a large extent, this applies to private country houses.

"Smart Home" - intelligent control system, combining engineering networks and electrical equipment of the house. In recent years, “smart home” systems have been on everyone’s lips – when conducting communications in a cottage, the owner is increasingly considering the possibility of adding automation functions. It is convenient, modern, saves energy resources and provides a high level of security. However, the implementation of such a system is not limited to the banal purchase and installation of individual smart devices. A kettle or toaster with smart functions is good on its own. But it's about more than that.

It is recommended to make a “Smart Home” project for a house or large apartment based on a “wired” home automation system. Such a system implies the presence of specific electrical wiring through which all engineering systems, electrical appliances, video cameras, sensors are connected into a single network. Therefore, its successful implementation should also begin and be thought out in detail at the stage of construction or major renovation of a building.

This does not mean that a “smart” system cannot be installed at all without gating the walls in a house with classic electrical wiring. For this purpose, there are separate smart devices and wireless solutions that allow you to connect them into a single network, but with a large number of devices and a large area where they are located, wireless solutions can be unstable. The functionality of such a “lightweight” system will lag significantly behind that of a full-fledged “wired” smart home.

What is such an electrical network? What are its advantages? Is this really beneficial and what should be taken into account for the best result?

What does electrical wiring look like in the Smart Home system?

It’s worth mentioning right away that for a “Smart Home” you need a detailed project - as-built documentation for cable installation, which indicates the location of the cable, diagrams of electrical panels and “bindings” of all elements. Often, with classical electrician, the electrician decides how to organize the electrical wiring. In a Smart Home, all decisions are made at the design stage, and installation occurs strictly according to the project.

The smart home project contains complete working documentation for electrical installation

From the point of view of electrical protection, the Smart Home project has all the usual attributes of modern classical wiring: . Regarding the connection of final equipment with switches, there is one important nuance. In a simple electrical network, any device, say a light bulb or a group of them, is directly connected by a power cable to a switch. By interrupting or completing the circuit, it turns the light on or off. A more complex implementation may use multiple control elements to enable tripping from different locations. But the essence remains the same. One wire goes through the switch (or through each of them, if there are several) to the light bulb.

Visual representation of a classic electrical circuit

In contrast to this In the Smart Home project, the wire system involves the use of two types of lines:

• power (220 Volts for powering electrical equipment);
• informational (low current).

Each of these cables (one from the device, and the second from the switch) is connected to, in which the automation system modules are located. The signal from the switch via a low-current data wire reaches the controllers located in the panel. They process this signal and supply power to electrical equipment via the second wire, the power wire. Thus, in a “smart” system, control of devices occurs indirectly - through controllers. Their operating logic can be programmed as needed, for example, to turn on the lighting immediately, with a delay, or based on a signal from a sensor. This achieves the required level of automation.

In an automation system, loads are connected not through switches, but directly into the switchboard

What are the benefits and benefits of smart wiring?

The obvious benefit of using such wiring in a Smart Home project is possibility of automation and ease of control of any number of different devices(by devices we mean lamps, AV equipment and the like). There is also something else.

At first glance, it may seem that the implementation of a Smart Home project will require several times more cable than for classic wiring. But this is not true for two reasons:

• a low-current information cable (bus) passes through all the switches of the house, connecting them with the automation modules in the panel - thus, its length depends more on the size of the room than on the number of lamps, sensors and other devices (but with the selected star topology, all it will be the other way around).
• the power wire passes from the panel to each device or group of devices, bypassing the switches responsible for their operation, so its length is less than the length of the same cable with classic wiring.

Thus, “smart” electrical wiring is a completely rational solution that does not require an unreasonably large number of power and information cables. In some ways, it is simpler because there are no power wire “loops” from the panel to the switch, and then to the chandelier or other devices. The information bus is the same for all Smart Home devices.

There remains one important question that needs to be answered if you want to create your own Smart Home project: “What type of information cable (bus) should I use and what will be the geometry of its connection to numerous devices?”

Type and topology of the information bus of intelligent systems

Fundamental in this matter will be two factors, on which it will depend on what type of tire to include in the project, and what configuration should be followed when laying it:

• Today there are a large number of manufacturers offering their automation protocols. Creston, KNX, HDL, Teletask, Vantage - this is not a complete list of everything that is available on the smart systems market. Internet, television, and telephony use different wires, depending on the service provider and other factors. Likewise, most automation protocols require their own type of information bus, which must be taken into account at the design stage.
• Exactly how the wires are laid - the network topology - will depend on the type of system being implemented. There is a concept of decentralized systems, each element of which has intelligent functions for processing incoming signals. In such a “Smart Home” there is no need to send command streams to the central processor. In another case, signals from all switches must first be sent to the “heart” of the system, and only then to the actuators.

In some situations, the same type of system from different manufacturers (for example, decentralized from HDL and KNX) may have the same cabling. As for the use of open standards (for example, KNX type), there is no need to change the cable geometry when using equipment from other manufacturers.

Although all this should be taken into account at the stage of creating a Smart Home project, this is not a limitation in the use of “hybrid” systems - when different automation protocols or equipment from different manufacturers are used. Sometimes this may be the best solution to get maximum efficiency. Everything just needs to be planned in advance.

The KNX automation protocol supports various communication media, including IP and radio. But most often a special wired bus is used, to which all equipment is connected. The device connection geometry can look like:

• lines;
• wood;
• stars.

It is possible to combine these types. One segment, which is the simplest element of the topology, includes up to 64 nodes. The maximum number of segments combined into one line is four. Up to 15 lines are combined into one area. In turn, up to 15 areas can be combined at the top level of the system. Thus, the size of the system is calculated by the number of possible devices, equal to: 64 nodes * 4 segments * 15 lines * 15 areas = 57600 pieces.

As for the size of the premises in which a Smart Home project can be implemented, they can be quite large, since KNX smart wiring has a maximum distance between instances of connected equipment - up to 700 m, and the cable length in a segment - up to 1000 m.

The Smart Home system implies a special rational option for laying cable routes, in which an intermediate link is used (between the control element and equipment) in the form of logical controllers. To maintain the operation and efficient functioning of such a network, other devices are used, depending on the need. Wiring methods will depend on the automation protocol vendor, its type (centralized or decentralized), and the need to use equipment from other manufacturers.

To take into account all these points and outline the concept of the future system for yourself, it is best to discuss these issues with a company that is a Smart Home integrator at the very early stage of a major renovation or construction of a house. Then your building will be fully prepared to not only become “smart” now, but also to easily adapt to changing conditions that require adding, removing or reconfiguring smart devices.

06.11.13

Let's begin our consideration of this category with light switches.

They are familiar to everyone, are very easy to use and reliable in quality. It would seem that what can be added to this simple and at the same time ingenious design to improve its characteristics?

With the introduction of smart home systems, this was achieved by developing the so-called smart switch. In fact, this was expected, because in a “smart home” all equipment operates at a new level of technical progress.

In appearance, it is almost impossible to distinguish them from ordinary ones, because even their dimensions do not differ, which makes it possible to replace them mutually, because the same socket fits them. However, in terms of the set of functions performed, the difference is felt immediately. There is no automation in conventional switches, and it works autonomously.

Smart switch is a component of the “smart home” system, and its operation is carried out automatically. Among the functions we can highlight the ability to control lighting intensity, which is most often performed by dimmers.

The switch can be controlled manually or using signals from the control panel. It is designed in such a way that one can control an entire group of switches. At the same time, the remote control has small dimensions.

Its operation is based on radio signals, and not on infrared radiation, like conventional television ones. Therefore, it is not necessary that the remote control be directed specifically at the signal receiver, especially if the switch must be hidden for decoration.

Very often, “smart homes” are equipped with a universal remote control, from which you can control all household appliances and lighting fixtures. To do this, just connect them to a common relay.

Very often, such switches are programmed for soft start, which can significantly extend the service life of lighting devices, since the occurrence of peak currents is eliminated.

The next most common control device is motion sensors.

They give a control signal if any movement is detected within their viewing radius. Any lighting device or sound warning system can act as a receiver of this signal.

This is why motion sensors are most often integrated into lighting and security systems. They have become widespread in the organization of automatic street lighting. When approaching a gate or house, the light will automatically turn on and you won’t have to look for the keys in the dark for a long time.

For those who believe that this system is uneconomical, since it can turn on randomly, they are mistaken. Since motion sensors work in conjunction with volume and light sensors, which virtually eliminates false alarms.

In addition to motion sensors, the smart home has gas, smoke, temperature, humidity sensors and reed switches. They are used to prevent emergency situations at the initial stages, as well as for timely notification of the residents of the house and the relevant services.

Reed switches They are a sealed contact and are used in security systems to prevent entry through doors and windows. Humidity sensors are used mainly in automated irrigation systems to determine when water is turned on/off.

This article describes a small number of control devices for a “smart home,” but their presence in the house can make life much more comfortable.

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You probably already guessed that in the near future houses and apartments will become “smart”. But perhaps you didn’t realize the scale of the invasion of devices into living spaces. presented a rating of the best gadgets for a smart home, and we figured out how to organize your apartment using newfangled devices.

Don't leave the room: smart locks

To begin with, you should take care that your technologically advanced apartment does not become a tasty morsel for unscrupulous visitors. Agree, it would be stupid to lock a house full of devices with a simple and, what’s worse, easy-to-understand lock for burglars.

Lockitron Bolt

This lock uses Bluetooth to detect when you and your smartphone leave the premises. Access rights can be granted to friends and family members. Every time someone enters or leaves the apartment, you receive a notification on your phone.

August Smart Lock

A more well-known version of a “smart” lock, which has already gained trust and popularity. It runs on batteries and syncs with your smartphone via Bluetooth. The application converts the list of contacts into a list of those who are allowed access to the apartment. August can also automatically close the door behind you, send notifications when someone enters the room, and much more.

All-Seeing Eye: Surveillance Cameras

To know everything that happens in the house, you simply need modern surveillance cameras. Moreover, new solutions for the home are small, convenient and very cool.

Butterfley

The square chamber is equipped with everything you might need. She can recognize movement and shoots video in Full HD format. Inside there is 16 GB of internal memory, a powerful battery, an accelerometer and a magnet for wall mounting. Synchronizes with your smartphone and sends all notifications to it, broadcasts videos and reports the most important things.

Nest Cam

Unlike the previous version, Nest Cam has a wider viewing angle and can record sound, ignoring extraneous noise. The camera can not only save video, but also tell you at what minute this or that event happened. The camera can be placed on a shelf or mounted on a wall.

Arlo

The waterproof wireless camera syncs with your smartphone. If you place several of these devices in your home at once, you can manage them using a cloud service. You can view images from four cameras on your phone screen - there is a special application for this. There is a motion sensor and night vision mode.

Cocoon

One device can control everything that happens in the house. It uses proprietary technology that senses activity in any room through sound. It does not require additional sensors. Of course, it has a camera and synchronization with a smartphone. You will receive a notification if Cocoon detects anything strange. There is also a very cool feature: as soon as the device is discharged or someone disconnects it from the Network, you will also know about it. The cloud service will detect the absence of the gadget on the Internet and send a notification to your phone.

Canary

Intel

This little camera does more than all of the above. In addition to basic functions, it also has a built-in sensor that determines the air condition. Its humidity, temperature and composition will be recorded and transmitted to your smartphone. In addition, there is a camera, a sound sensor and a siren.

Breathe deeply: thermostats and filters

A “smart” home also means an ideal climate inside. Monitoring this is much easier with the help of a technological thermostat. In addition, it is possible and necessary to control the air condition in the apartment with special filters.

Nest

The third generation of Nest thermostats just got even cooler. This device controls the temperature, remembers your daily routine and sets the climate accordingly. In addition, the gadget can be controlled from a smartphone, and it can switch to energy saving mode when no one is at home. Sudden changes in temperature and humidity are perceived by Nest as a cause for alarm - and the thermostat will definitely send a notification about this.

AWAIR

A small device monitors several indicators at once. AWAIR constantly monitors temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide content in the air, the presence of toxic components and dust. The data is compiled into a short summary, after which AWAIR offers its own solutions to problems.

A “smart” ventilation system is built directly into the house. It has temperature and pressure sensors, and each of the devices is synchronized with a smartphone and thermostats. Essentially, this is the final part of the entire air quality monitoring system. It seems impossible to do without smart ventilation.

Point

A small device monitors the sounds that are heard in your apartment, records the temperature and composition of the air. Based on this, the device makes a conclusion about the climate in the house and whether everything is in order. Understands when the seasons change, when you leave the apartment and what daily routine is typical for your family.

Tado

This thermostat will ask about everything first, because it is important for it to take into account every detail. Enter details about your home and Tado will figure out how to work with it. In addition, the device can predict the weather and create an appropriate microclimate in the apartment.

Cozy

The small thermostat can be left on the docking station or taken with you, because it is shaped like a small barrel. It will control the temperature around you, concentrating its attention on your well-being. The idea is to heat and cool a specific room, rather than the entire apartment. Then you can save energy and create comfort at the same time.

Let there be light: smart lamps

Probably the most unobvious, but also the most popular devices for a technologically advanced home are “smart” lamps. People really like them - and we understand why!

Lucy

This spherical lamp captures sunlight using a moving mirror and redirects it wherever you see fit. So, you can work all day in natural light, regardless of which side of the world your windows face.

Beam

A small lamp quickly turns into a powerful projector with a speaker. To control Beam, you just need to use a special application.

Twist

The LED light is equipped with excellent speakers, so it can play music using AirPlay technology. And the shade of the glow will adjust to the time of day.

Smart Change

A good solution for emergency situations: even if the power goes out in your home, Smart Change will work for another 4 hours. The rest of the time, these lamps simply save energy.

Emberlight

A beautiful and stylish lamp can be controlled from a smartphone using Wi-Fi. You can turn the light on or off, or set the brightness of the light that is ideal for the situation.

Make yourself at home: gadgets for your room

When planning your home, no matter how you look at it, we will consider one room to be the “main” room. It usually has everything you need for life and entertainment.

Eero

A modern modem promises to bring a fast Wi-Fi connection to every corner of your apartment. Provides “guest” access with one tap. Enhanced data security protection. In general, a simple and powerful device for a smart home.

Apple TV

We couldn't do without a new TV set-top box. It provides access to online services, games and entertainment, allows you to make purchases directly from your TV and is capable of active user interaction.

Luna

One of the recent Kickstarter triumphs, the “smart” mattress cover Luna, will track your sleep and health status, can control the temperature of the bed and can wake you up in the morning. A very simple device will turn your bed into a smart gadget in a matter of seconds.

Little Printer

The charming device will print out a drawing, message or note in no time. Paper for it can be bought for pennies. In addition, Little Printer can “deliver” for you the morning press or fresh photos from family and friends.

The small gadget is a voice assistant that can control your entire home. It is enough to ask him to turn off the light in the kitchen, and the command will be carried out. Ivee also streams music using Spotify and calls Uber. If you set an alarm, the virtual assistant will wake you up on time, and in the morning it can tell you the weather forecast for the whole day. You can even talk to Ivee: the device will tell you about everything in the world using Wikipedia.

Cleanliness is the key to health: gadgets for the bathroom

Everyone should take care of themselves. And with new devices it is much easier and more economical to do this.

Nebia

Nebia's campaign on the crowdfunding platform was supported by Tim Cook himself. He really liked the device that sprays water on a person. Due to this, you can save up to 70% of water consumption - and at the same time not lose at all in cleanliness or comfort.

SmartyBrush

A toothbrush will monitor how thoroughly and diligently you brush your teeth. Frequency of movements, pressure force and duration of the procedure. All data is transferred to the smartphone, generated in the form of visual statistics and analyzed by the application. You can then receive recommendations on how to improve your daily ritual.

The food is served: kitchen gadgets

Haute cuisine has never been so accessible. With new devices, you can not only prepare culinary masterpieces, but also create something like a restaurant right at home.

June

The electric oven looks like a futurist chef's dream. Inside there are temperature sensors, a camera and automatic scales for your dish. Therefore, during cooking, you can get video footage directly from the inside, detailed information about the state of the dinner and recommendations on how to make it better.

Bruno

Smart technologies have also reached the garbage. Bruno is a smart bucket that tells you when it's time to take out the bag and can collect small debris using the built-in vacuum cleaner. It even has its own app that reminds you to keep your house clean.

Cove

The water filter differs from all its counterparts in having special membranes. They are made using laser technology and not only purify, but also enrich the water with useful substances.