Questions tagged [home-automation]

Home automation is using electronic systems to control appliances and other electrical systems within a house. Examples include automatic switching of lights, air conditioning, security locks and cooking / entertainment appliances.

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5V Relay, triggered with power on/off [closed]

I am new to this forum and came across it trying to find a solution for what I thought would be an easy problem to solve. I work in custom AV installations and I was hoping to find an off-the-shelf ...
digitalav's user avatar
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30 views

Can Shelly Pro 4PM or SONOFF 4CHR3 Handle High Starting Currents of Water Circulation Pumps?

I’m interested in automating my heating system, which currently relies on four water circulating pumps (one for the buffer tank, one for the heat tank, and two for different sections of the house). My ...
Mokus's user avatar
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2 votes
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Can I connect ten RS485 modbus kWh meters to one RJ45 modbus server? [closed]

If I have a fusebox with about ten/fifteen eastron sdm630 and Orno OR-WE-515 kWh meters with RS485 modbus, can I daisy chain ...
Tim's user avatar
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2 answers
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Best way to use Driveay alert output (Open Collector NPN)

I'm learning as I go on this project. I have a beam-break driveway alert that I would like to get the output from on a device like an Arduino or Raspberry Pi and need some guidance on the best ...
sdg's user avatar
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Velux controller and input panel seem to communicate via a bus wire with a pull-up without resistor, how?

I'm trying to replace a Velux input panel (WLI 130) with an ESP32 or Arduino so that I can automate the Velux windows by telling the ESP over wifi to open/close the windows. Before doing that I'm ...
Tim Diels's user avatar
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3 answers
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Will this MOSFET H-bridge motor control with end of travel disable switches work?

Thank you for taking an interest. Very very amateur here, but after a 2+ week of reading howtos and SE posts, validation would be greatly appreciated. Context: Control by ESP32 MCU 30 V motor is a ...
Tjunkie's user avatar
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What could be causing ESP IDF to not recognize the content of my included header files?

ESP - IDF not functioning as expected. I've been trying to work on esp32s3 and skainet using esp-idf(ide not the eclipse or vs code plugin) and I am facing this issue constantly. Issue: I have made a ...
user21923894's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
343 views

How to dynamically simulate an EV plug disconnection in order to automate charging power setup

I bought a well-made Chinese charger for our Zoe ZE50 R110 electric vehicle. It can be set to various charging levels (8,10,12,16A at 220V), but as a safety (I guess), the procedure requires me to ...
MoonCactus's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
340 views

Is this caused by inductive kickback?

I have a remote controlled switch that's connected to a bathroom fan (220v AC, 50Hz). The switch turns the fan on without issues every time. However, when instructed to turn it off, it immediately ...
Khash's user avatar
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Runaway prevention circuit for central vacuum system

My house has a central vacuum system. It consists of a central suction motor, connected to multiple inlets throughout the house via a network of pipes. Along with the pipes is a pair of low-voltage ...
RustyShackleford's user avatar
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How to properly calculate amps from home consumption metering system like Shelly EM?

I am creating a system for detailed measuring of power consumption in my home. For that I am using Shelly EM, which is using 50A hall sensor clamped over my main line (single phase 240V AC) inside my ...
Petr's user avatar
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Making my coffee maker smarter

I'm planning to add a WiFi-enabled relay (Shelly 1) to my coffee maker for some fun home automation. In this case, the coffee maker has a tactile switch labeled "brew now". I understand the ...
KW1's user avatar
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How to detect the state of a 230 VAC SPST switch?

I want a DC output of 0 V if the AC SPST is open (off state) and 5 V if the AC SPST is closed (on state.) Please provide any circuit or solutions for this.
Raghuvir's user avatar
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12V-only (and no 110V/220V) household electrical installation [closed]

Power outlets are in 220V/110V in houses for historical reasons (light bulbs and other appliances probably required >100V voltage) but nowadays as: we use a USB charger 220V->5V for phones, ...
Basj's user avatar
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Wiring 4-wall outlets in parallel

I would just like to ask if my wirings for a power control box is correct. I am planning to power 4 independent outlets to actuate pumps and other devices on mains, and control these independent ...
Guorishix's user avatar
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LED power usage and wiring

I'm a total beginner in electronics work and I have some questions. I would like to fix an LED strip to the bottom of a ~2 m long IKEA shelf. I would like two runs on the bottom (one at the back of ...
skibidi_wappapa's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
557 views

Home automation using CAN bus

I am planning to make a prototype for wired home automation devices, and I am thinking of using CAN bus for communication between nodes and Gateway. The way I am planning to build it, there is one ...
awakrim's user avatar
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Shelly1 wiring 110v sw for buzzer along with door opener

I’ve got shelly1 wired up to allow me to remotely open my door. I’m trying to see if I can use SW to detect the buzzer (along with a custom circuit). Here’s what I have without door buzzer detection: <...
nachum's user avatar
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1 answer
301 views

Smart Power Restore Alarm

I have a portable generator I am going to use with an interlock system, which prevents back current to the grid, to power the house during outages. Knowing I would need a power return alarm to notify ...
Hartman9's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
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Smart watchdog water alarm critique and questions

I've developed a smart circuit for the watchdog water alarm (teardown here)and I am ready to have PCBs made up. Before I do so I would like to get everyone's critique and as an amateur I do have a few ...
Hartman9's user avatar
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1 answer
68 views

Easy way to get TRIAC dimming onto a typical LED strip?

I’m trying to build a light fixture which uses a 24V 30W LED strip that can be connected through mains power to a typical Lutron TRIAC wall dimmer. I can’t seem to find any type of driver product ...
PineapplePerson's user avatar
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1 answer
64 views

No deflection in voltage regulator but the circuit works fine [closed]

I have connected a voltage regulator (range 0- 300V) to my Air conditioner. The Air conditioner has three wires neutral,live and Earth. (I doubt if the connection is right). The Air conditioner turns ...
Vaibhav Raj's user avatar
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Home Automation Sensor Circuit Unexpected State

I embarked in a DIY project to replace a burnt home automation controller with a solution based on a Raspberry Pi using its GPIO inputs and outputs. I designed and built the electronics using ...
Fer1's user avatar
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2 answers
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Efficient temperature control for a growbox

I am making a growbox controller. It has (among other things) a heater and a temperature sensor. Heater has no temperature controls, it can be turned on/off. The objective is to maintain temperature ...
Eduard's user avatar
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2 answers
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troubles getting serial port tv to work

i recently posted a question, but didn't had an answer (my fault :) ). my question wasn't straight-forward and clear. so my final goal is to communicate between nodered (raspberry-pi) and my lg tv. I'...
madness007's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
957 views

Why don't LG RS232 commands work when the TV is on (only responds when off)?

I'm writing a new question after stumbling across this question which appeared to have similar symptoms: LG RS232 Commands partially working. As the other question noted, the power on command ...
tgpaul's user avatar
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0 answers
221 views

How can I ramp up the start of a motor?

I recently have had electrical roller shutter installed on my windows. They are wired (I put a home automation system behind, based on Shelly 2.5 (wiring)). It works great, except that the motor, when ...
WoJ's user avatar
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1 answer
133 views

Can I use an RIBU1C to switch a 110v fan?

I recently set up a millivolt switched gas heater with an Ecobee3 thermostat. I used an RIBU1C relay to accomplish this (Ecobee wants to switch a 24VAC circuit, and the gas heater wants a millivolt ...
Steve Midgley's user avatar
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1 answer
54 views

How to know the status of a two way switch through MCU

My project is this one that I asked earlier (except the fact that I'll be using SPDT switches) Two way lighting What I'm asking can the MCU detect if the circuit is closed (whether by the physical ...
coldbreeze16's user avatar
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1 answer
494 views

How should I connect the RX and TX pins of an Arduino to a Bluetooth module?

I am working on an Arduino based Bluetooth controlled home automation using a mobile app. When I power ON the circuit, it works fine but when I power it OFF and power it ON again I have to remove the ...
sriram's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
47 views

Relay and wifi module

I'm a beginner in electronics and I am trying to do a "connected switch" with a relay and a wifi module ESP8266, but the thing is that to power the wifi module I need a second power supply ...
ThaaoBlues's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
885 views

Relay parallel to wall switch: Is it safe?

I am currently working on a home automation project and I have the low power electronics sorted out. My setup requires me to connect a relay to the light which is simple but my design requires me to ...
Slug FPV's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
285 views

How can I electrically isolate two 24 VAC sprinkler controllers working on the same output (master valve)?

I have an old 24-zone sprinkler controller and I'm trying to move 16 zones to a "smart" sprinkler controller. I have a master valve that has to be switched on to provide water downstream to ...
Karl's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is printing a PLA box for electronic components safe?

not sure I'm in the good place. I'm working on a small project, building a connected light dimmer for my home. I'm using a raspberry pi zero and an AC dimmer (this one : Universal AC MAINS Dimmer - ...
Milodupipo's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
93 views

Automation panel: what would cause a 135v input voltage?

I am building a home automation panel which is fed by 120v AC input mains power. The first connection in the panel is a GFCI breaker followed by 5v and 12v switched PSUs which power a relay board and ...
sensei247's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
374 views

Relay contact insulation doesn't seem to be enough

I'm working with an ESP32 and a 4 relay module. The problem seems to be that the insulation of contacts in the relay is not enough. Relays close perfectly and my lights turn on, but when they open, a ...
Mariano Franceschetti's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
93 views

Feedback requested for my circuit (automated brewery)

I am building an automated fermentation controller for a brewery which integrates 110V and runs an Arduino with respective sensors and other valves. Can you offer any feedback on my overall schematic ...
sensei247's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
148 views

Using a wifi dry contact module (Sonoff) to increase/decrease temperature in a gas water heater touchpad

I'm a total newbie in electronics, and just started venturing in home automation. In Brazil there are many different types of tankless water heaters, especially for bathroom faucets and shower. Mine ...
Leandro Dimitrio's user avatar
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0 answers
46 views

How do I know if it's safe to connect the common grounds of the input signals of two garage door openers?

I have two Hormann ProMatic garage door openers, identical ones, both have a pair of built-in input connectors where anyone can use an external switch to trigger the garage doors to open/close. My ...
adamsfamily's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
258 views

Microcontroller driving a 12 VAC relay - with as few components as possible

I want my ESP8266 to drive eight relays with 12 VAC coils for my home automation system. This is not a duplicate of this question because there's an additional catch - I have strict space constraints ...
Vorbis's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to automatically turn off a Fan after a fixed amount of time?

I have an exhaust fan in my bathroom (used for removing the steam generated by a hot bath). Currently, it can be turned on and off by a regular switch. My goal: Exhaust fan should automatically turn-...
Anuj Manoj Shah's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
729 views

Two-phase system for a smart house?

First I apologize for my ignorance regarding electrical matters. I am analyzing a dataset from a smart house. Some of the power measurements are divided into phase A and B. Their values are somewhat ...
gvkcps's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
659 views

Review of PCB design: ESP32 + two relays design review

I've completed the design of my pool timer that can turn the pump and light on/off via WiFi and would love to get my design reviewed. At 120 V the pool light should handle 500 W. The pump is 0.5 HP. ...
ti_chris's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
123 views

Linearizing multi-star network for home automation

I'm designing a communication network for private home automation. My design goals are: Local wrt network changes. That is, changing one part of the network should not require modification of the ...
Petr's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
368 views

Using back emf for charging window-blind controller battery

Let me start: I have no clue of electric engineering. However, I built an automated window blind controlled by my home automation. It consists of a stepper motor, motor controller board, an ESP8266 ...
Wolfram's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
146 views

Single pole or dual pole relay for switching a 3 kW water heater?

I have bought a WiFi controlled device to control a 3 kW, 240 V water heater (immersion heater) wirelessly but despite being advertised as 15 A, it actually has a 13 A relay which has "push fit" ...
NickG's user avatar
  • 111
2 votes
1 answer
63 views

Running digital ground at AC line potential (not neutral)

I've run across an interesting WiFi dimmer module known as a Shelly dimmer. This bright green module is designed to be used inside an electrical box. Most of it's user interface is over line-...
Burt_Harris's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
241 views

What size capacitor do I need to reliably close a 1" US Solid motorized ball valve?

I am making a water feature that will involve a stream fed by the basin of a fountain with a pump at the end sending water back into the fountain. To control the water flow rate through the stream and ...
Joel Croteau's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
197 views

Controlling a Wi-Fi relay switch using a "no-neutral" touch wall switch

I'm planning to install touch wall switches in my apartment. They appear to be powered by leaking current through the switched receiver (e.g. a lightbulb) – no neutral connections. I also wanted to ...
pajac's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
204 views

How do I make water tank control circuit?

I would like to make electronic circuit to control water tank. Its works expected as below: Once water inside the tank is lower than its minimum level, then the mechanical sensor A will trigger to ...
AirCraft Lover's user avatar