Home Automation

Home automation is a field within building automation, specializing in the specific automation requirements of private homes and in the application of automation techniques for the comfort and security of its residents. more...

Home
Amplifiers
Audio Accessories & Cables
Cable TV
DVD Players & Recorders
Digital Video Recorders, PVR
Gadgets & Other Electronics
Air Purifiers
Batteries & Chargers
Breathalyzers
Calculators
Clocks
Dictionaries & Translators
eBooks
Flashlight Key Chains
Fresnel Lenses
Home Automation
Controllers
Home Automation Kits
Intercoms
Modules
Leviton
Other Brands
X-10
Motion Sensors
Other
Remote Controls
Switches
Transceivers
Language Filters
Laser Pointers
Laserdisc Players
Metal Detectors
Other Gadgets
Polygraphs
Radiation Detectors
RF Locators
Surveillance
Therapeutic Devices
Timers
Voltage Converters
Weather Devices
WebTV
Home Audio
Home Theater Projectors
Home Theater in a Box
Radios: CB, Ham & Shortwave
Satellite Radio
Satellite TV
Telephones & Pagers
Televisions
VCRs
Vintage Electronics

Although many techniques used in building automation (such as light and climate control, control of doors and window shutters, security and surveillance systems, etc.) are also used in home automation, additional functions in home automation include the control of multi-media home entertainment systems, automatic plant watering and pet feeding, and automatic scenes for dinners and parties.

The main difference between building automation and home automation is, however, the human interface. In home automation, ergonomics is of particular importance: the control should be largely image-based and self-explanatory.

When home automation is installed during construction of a new home, usually control wires are added before the drywall is installed. These control wires run to a controller, which will then control the environment.

In a retrofit situation, or when installing control wiring is too expensive or simply not possible, there are wireless and powerline protocols such as X10, Universal powerline bus, INSTEON, ZigBee and Z-Wave that will allow for control of most applications.

Effects

In extreme installations, rooms can sense not only the presence of a person but know who that person is and perhaps set appropriate lighting, temperature and music/TV taking into account day of week, time of day and other factors.

Other automated tasks may include setting the air conditioning to an energy saving setting when the house is unoccupied, and restoring the normal setting when an occupant is about to return. More sophisticated systems can maintain an inventory of products, recording their usage through an RFID tag, and prepare a shopping list or even automatically order replacements.

Some practical implementations of home automation are for example when an alarm detects a fire or smoke condition, then all lights in the house will blink to alert occupants. If the house is equipped with a home theater, a home automation system can shut down all audio and video components to alert the user to a possible fire or a burglar.

Tasks

Audio

This category includes audio switching and distribution. Audio switching determines the selection of an audio source. Audio distribution allows an audio source to be heard in one or more rooms. This feature is often referred to as 'multi-zone' audio.

HVAC

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solutions include temperature and humidity control.

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