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Smart Light Switches. Compiled by Austin Stoker ECE 5320 Spring 2012 Dr. Chen. What is a Smart Switch. They vary from simple network (IP) protocol driven relays to complex dimmers with power monitoring and built in motion sensors. Different protocols. X10
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Smart Light Switches Compiled by Austin Stoker ECE 5320 Spring 2012 Dr. Chen
What is a Smart Switch • They vary from simple network (IP) protocol driven relays to complex dimmers with power monitoring and built in motion sensors
Different protocols • X10 • Old, started by pico electronics in the 1970s • Primarily used over the wire communication. • Has extended to wireless but with limited bandwidth • Remains the most common protocol • Everyone agrees it’s not the best but they don’t agree on what the best is.
How over the wire works • 60Hz AC have an “off” moment
How over the wire works • At the “zero crossing” data is transmitted • The data is either a 1 or a 0 • A command is 14bits long
How over the wire works • 4 bits for the “house code” or group code, a letter A-P • 5 bits are for the device code 1-16 • 5 bits for the action code http://homeautomationgeek.com/signal-relay/x10/how-x10-works/
Protocols, Problems • The X10 protocol problems • Commands can get jumbled • Slow, 4 commands per second max • The actuators cannot send back a status message
Protocols • Insteon • Peer to peer • Dual band synchronized • Somewhat compatible with X10 • Wired and wireless for redundancy
Protocols • Z-Wave • Wireless • Large device selection
Protocols • ZigBee • Very similar to IP (Internet protocol) • DIY friendly • Not exclusively a home automation standard so it allows for more flexibility.
Protocol Details • Zigbee networks can have different arrangements • Each arrangement requires one command node • The star arrangement requires the coordination node to be at the center
Protocol Details • Other Zigbee arrangements include • Tree structure • Mesh structure
Products • Z-Wave • Vizia RF • $60 • Includes LED • Same dimensions as normal switch http://www.zwaveproducts.com/layout/manuals/45011Zig.pdf
Products • Zigbee • Large( as shown comparing it right to a a regular switch left) • Dimmer capable • $65 http://homewireless.org/wp/2010/05/centralite-light-switches-review/
Products • INSTEON • 8 button • $75 • Status LED http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100654841
Products • X10 • cheap $20 • Non dimmer • Simple • Wired only http://www.smarthome.com/2032/X10-WS4777-or-PLW02-W-Three-Way-X10-Master-and-Slave-Switch-Set-White/p.aspx
Products • GE Remote Switch • Easy install • Not truly network connected • Cannot be controlled remotely • $50 http://www.amazon.com/Z-Wave-Wireless-Lighting-Control-Switch/dp/B0035YRCR2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332273075&sr=8-1
Products • Carlon HW2162 Wireless socket switch • $20 • Not capable of computer interfacing
Products • Lutron switch • $77 • Controls upto 6 devices
Conclusion • For general use the X10 is simplest and pretty robust. Not lightning quick or fancy but well established and pretty cheap