Background:
I own an old house (about 270 years old) where my company and my apartment were located. As the office kept expanding with new employees being hired, I moved into a separate apartment due to space constraints.
However, this was not meant to be permanent. I wanted to have something of my own again, but this time “small but nice.”
After considering various options from tiny houses to mini houses, the decision was made to build a small semi-detached house and use one unit myself (about 65m² (700 sq ft) plus terrace and garden).
My brother is building the other semi-detached house, and both units will then be rented out.
High-quality, ecological, and sustainable construction was important to us from the start. A healthy indoor climate, photovoltaic system, heat pump, and controlled residential ventilation were therefore fixed requirements.
At first, I considered some home automation (implemented, for example, with Shelly devices installed later to control certain functions remotely).
But since our company is involved not only in general IT activities but also in software development, programming, and consulting on IT infrastructure and digitalization for larger organizations such as hospitals, and since my brother is the lead developer of a software that has been on the market for over 20 years and is the market leader in Germany in this field…
Couldn’t we do it ourselves?
Yes, we could!
“Coincidentally,” a bachelor thesis on an open (non-proprietary) smart home system was submitted to my brother (who teaches computer science at FOM among other things).
Based on this and other work that proved certain fundamentals, plus freely available information showing many other possibilities of a smart home, we formulated our requirements.
We wanted a “Smart Home” (as we understood it at the time).
We wanted to at least control lighting and blinds, have a front door with motorized lock, possibly video intercom systems, presence monitoring, etc. The wishes naturally grew as we learned what was possible. So, voice control via, for example, Alexa should also be possible (for those who find it useful).
Our key criteria were:
• Open system (no proprietary/cloud dependencies, etc.)
• All active components centralized in the distribution board if possible
• No “bus switches,” but “normal” Gira, Jung, etc. push buttons
• Affordable!
• The base programming can be quite complex (done by experts), but afterwards the system should be adjustable by “non-technical users” via a GUI (This alone could lead to lengthy discussions)
• We will do the wiring and programming ourselves (my brother and one of our partners are software developers, and I am an IT specialist)
• The wiring will be done with plenty of spare capacity and smart home compatibility.
-> Lighting circuits (lamps) all go directly to the distribution board
-> Outlets are wired room-wise to the distribution board and use 5-wire/three-phase cables so nearly any outlet can be switched later with small wiring adjustments.
-> All push buttons are connected with (plenty of) LAN cable directly to the distribution board
(Discussion about CAT7a/CAT8.x LAN cabling or 10DA took place: Result: Almost everything will be done as CAT7A duplex because, overall, it is easier to handle and cheaper for us.)
The result will soon be installed as a prototype in my unit (half a semi-detached house, about 65m² (700 sq ft)). The photo of the small sub-distribution board is only a small part of the test system currently being assembled! The Eltakos were installed only for comparison (space requirements vs. the Controllino) and will probably not be used in the finished system.
Almost anything “speaking” a smart home language can be integrated into the system via the appropriate binding.
The core hardware (the “brain” of the system) will cost about 1000 to 1500 euros (approximately $1100 to $1650). It mainly consists of the SmartHome Manager (Raspberry Pi) and Controllino Mega pure (Arduino).
The programming of OpenHub, etc. (open source) is done by our software developers/programmers.
Temperature, distance meters, motion detectors, humidity, CO2 sensors, and similar devices can easily be integrated. Small touchscreens (around 20€ (about $22)) as “cornerstone components” usually cost only a few euros.
I will be happy to report on further steps and on the prototype development once progress continues.
Notes:
The advantages of KNX are often mentioned, and some of these certainly apply. In our smart home, if the SmartHome Manager (which is also industrial hardware) fails, almost nothing works. With KNX, all unaffected subsystems continue to run. However, the example described by @Mycraft: “… It’s enough to just connect another push button to the bus cable and configure it…” is hardly feasible in practice. The user cannot do it themselves, the proverbial “unicorn” (ideal technician) is not there, and if the “system integrator” does come eventually, every small change or adjustment is extremely expensive. (These are the experiences of two people with KNX in our circle of acquaintances.)
Please do not fill this thread with pros and cons of the various systems. It only concerns “our” system based on the hardware and software components mentioned at the beginning – thanks!
I own an old house (about 270 years old) where my company and my apartment were located. As the office kept expanding with new employees being hired, I moved into a separate apartment due to space constraints.
However, this was not meant to be permanent. I wanted to have something of my own again, but this time “small but nice.”
After considering various options from tiny houses to mini houses, the decision was made to build a small semi-detached house and use one unit myself (about 65m² (700 sq ft) plus terrace and garden).
My brother is building the other semi-detached house, and both units will then be rented out.
High-quality, ecological, and sustainable construction was important to us from the start. A healthy indoor climate, photovoltaic system, heat pump, and controlled residential ventilation were therefore fixed requirements.
At first, I considered some home automation (implemented, for example, with Shelly devices installed later to control certain functions remotely).
But since our company is involved not only in general IT activities but also in software development, programming, and consulting on IT infrastructure and digitalization for larger organizations such as hospitals, and since my brother is the lead developer of a software that has been on the market for over 20 years and is the market leader in Germany in this field…
Couldn’t we do it ourselves?
Yes, we could!
“Coincidentally,” a bachelor thesis on an open (non-proprietary) smart home system was submitted to my brother (who teaches computer science at FOM among other things).
Based on this and other work that proved certain fundamentals, plus freely available information showing many other possibilities of a smart home, we formulated our requirements.
We wanted a “Smart Home” (as we understood it at the time).
We wanted to at least control lighting and blinds, have a front door with motorized lock, possibly video intercom systems, presence monitoring, etc. The wishes naturally grew as we learned what was possible. So, voice control via, for example, Alexa should also be possible (for those who find it useful).
Our key criteria were:
• Open system (no proprietary/cloud dependencies, etc.)
• All active components centralized in the distribution board if possible
• No “bus switches,” but “normal” Gira, Jung, etc. push buttons
• Affordable!
• The base programming can be quite complex (done by experts), but afterwards the system should be adjustable by “non-technical users” via a GUI (This alone could lead to lengthy discussions)
• We will do the wiring and programming ourselves (my brother and one of our partners are software developers, and I am an IT specialist)
• The wiring will be done with plenty of spare capacity and smart home compatibility.
-> Lighting circuits (lamps) all go directly to the distribution board
-> Outlets are wired room-wise to the distribution board and use 5-wire/three-phase cables so nearly any outlet can be switched later with small wiring adjustments.
-> All push buttons are connected with (plenty of) LAN cable directly to the distribution board
(Discussion about CAT7a/CAT8.x LAN cabling or 10DA took place: Result: Almost everything will be done as CAT7A duplex because, overall, it is easier to handle and cheaper for us.)
The result will soon be installed as a prototype in my unit (half a semi-detached house, about 65m² (700 sq ft)). The photo of the small sub-distribution board is only a small part of the test system currently being assembled! The Eltakos were installed only for comparison (space requirements vs. the Controllino) and will probably not be used in the finished system.
Almost anything “speaking” a smart home language can be integrated into the system via the appropriate binding.
The core hardware (the “brain” of the system) will cost about 1000 to 1500 euros (approximately $1100 to $1650). It mainly consists of the SmartHome Manager (Raspberry Pi) and Controllino Mega pure (Arduino).
The programming of OpenHub, etc. (open source) is done by our software developers/programmers.
Temperature, distance meters, motion detectors, humidity, CO2 sensors, and similar devices can easily be integrated. Small touchscreens (around 20€ (about $22)) as “cornerstone components” usually cost only a few euros.
I will be happy to report on further steps and on the prototype development once progress continues.
Notes:
The advantages of KNX are often mentioned, and some of these certainly apply. In our smart home, if the SmartHome Manager (which is also industrial hardware) fails, almost nothing works. With KNX, all unaffected subsystems continue to run. However, the example described by @Mycraft: “… It’s enough to just connect another push button to the bus cable and configure it…” is hardly feasible in practice. The user cannot do it themselves, the proverbial “unicorn” (ideal technician) is not there, and if the “system integrator” does come eventually, every small change or adjustment is extremely expensive. (These are the experiences of two people with KNX in our circle of acquaintances.)
Please do not fill this thread with pros and cons of the various systems. It only concerns “our” system based on the hardware and software components mentioned at the beginning – thanks!
Back to the technical questions:
- How do you wire outlets intended for devices like hair dryers or vacuum cleaners? The Controllino can only handle a maximum of 6A, which is 1380W.
- How long do the relays last if more than 6A passes through them? A circuit breaker does not trip immediately; it can take some time, sometimes minutes, for example when drawing 8A.
- Because some relays have double outputs, the circuit breaker should be installed before the input to ensure both outputs are protected together at 6A.
- How resistant are the relays to short circuits? Try connecting 6A circuit breakers in the circuit and intentionally create short circuits. Will the Controllino survive this?
- How do you wire outlets intended for devices like hair dryers or vacuum cleaners? The Controllino can only handle a maximum of 6A, which is 1380W.
- How long do the relays last if more than 6A passes through them? A circuit breaker does not trip immediately; it can take some time, sometimes minutes, for example when drawing 8A.
- Because some relays have double outputs, the circuit breaker should be installed before the input to ensure both outputs are protected together at 6A.
- How resistant are the relays to short circuits? Try connecting 6A circuit breakers in the circuit and intentionally create short circuits. Will the Controllino survive this?
K
knalltüte2 Sep 2020 16:22Hello hello... No one said that all outlets would be immediately switchable (that wouldn’t make much sense in my opinion). However, every outlet will be made switchable eventually (of course not all throughout the entire house; we run at least one 5-core cable per room = 3 phases. So, three outlets/groups can be switched per room).
Certainly, the Controllino is not ideal for switching outlets; it is primarily intended for lighting and possibly roller shutters (small consumers). The roller shutters may currently be replaced by internal blinds located within the window itself, i.e., between the panes, using the I-Tec shading system from Internorm. This depends on the offer (the control would likely be via i-tec SmartWindow plus the appropriate binding).
An Eltako device would then be suitable for something like the bathroom outlet for the hairdryer (if you want to switch it).
Note: Not all of my statements may still be accurate tomorrow. The system is currently being developed and adjusted! This week: lighting, next week roller shutters, and after that other sensors (particulate matter, CO2, etc.), followed by the GUI for these.
First, the excavator arrives in about 2 weeks. That takes priority.
Certainly, the Controllino is not ideal for switching outlets; it is primarily intended for lighting and possibly roller shutters (small consumers). The roller shutters may currently be replaced by internal blinds located within the window itself, i.e., between the panes, using the I-Tec shading system from Internorm. This depends on the offer (the control would likely be via i-tec SmartWindow plus the appropriate binding).
An Eltako device would then be suitable for something like the bathroom outlet for the hairdryer (if you want to switch it).
Note: Not all of my statements may still be accurate tomorrow. The system is currently being developed and adjusted! This week: lighting, next week roller shutters, and after that other sensors (particulate matter, CO2, etc.), followed by the GUI for these.
First, the excavator arrives in about 2 weeks. That takes priority.
Of course, I understand that this is still under active development and changes are constantly occurring. However, the issue of short-circuit protection is very important. An LED lamp may be a low-power consumer, but as soon as a short circuit happens, current flows—really high current. Therefore, the question of operational safety is fundamental, and all these concerns need to be addressed; otherwise, the marketing of the system will fail. In the worst case, you are liable.
Blockchain is not just about permanently storing information. Using MAM/Streams, devices can be securely controlled from outside without relying on any server. You initiate a transaction on the blockchain with your smartphone, your front door monitors the blockchain for this transaction, and then unlocks the door. This way, no “gap” needs to be opened in your home network, yet you can still open the door from anywhere in the world using your phone. Smart contracts could be used to securely manage absence control or alarm systems, and so on. Of course, this is not mandatory and can be solved in 10 other ways that have existed for over 10 years, but it is precisely that: another method of control without depending on a provider.
What you describe can all be done perfectly well without blockchain and has been for decades. It is secure for home and property as well as your data.
Completely without any providers involved.
Here, too, there is no advantage from blockchain, only unnecessary complexity. It is an additional method that nobody needs and nobody has asked for.
Completely without any providers involved.
Here, too, there is no advantage from blockchain, only unnecessary complexity. It is an additional method that nobody needs and nobody has asked for.
Mycraft schrieb:
What you describe works perfectly fine without blockchain and has for decades. It’s secure for homes and buildings as well as for your data.
Completely without any providers involved.
Here, too, blockchain offers no advantage—just unnecessary complexity. Let me quote myself:
Ben-man schrieb:
Of course, it’s not mandatory and can be solved in 10 other ways that have existed for 10 years, but it is exactly that: another way to control without relying on a provider. Whether it is more complex or not is something everyone has to decide for themselves. For me and many other interested users by now, it is not.
Mycraft schrieb:
It’s another option that nobody needs and nobody asks for. The same was said about cars and personal computers.
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