ᐅ Consultation for Smart Home New Construction Wireless Systems
Created on: 7 Dec 2019 19:53
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Smarti99
Hello everyone,
I am currently planning the components for my smart home in a new build.
Thanks in advance
I am currently planning the components for my smart home in a new build.
- The electrical installation will be done conventionally.
- Roller shutters controlled only via smart home, without physical switches. Seasonally controlled (Sonoff relays).
- I also want to control underfloor heating circuits solely via smart home. For this, I would need temperature and humidity sensors in the rooms. Which ones would you recommend? Which relays could I use for the valves? They are just on or off. I would probably need about 8 to 10 units.
- I want to override light switches in the rooms using Shelly devices.
- There will be touchscreens on two floors displaying all information and control options.
- Additionally, Android apps on every phone for home control.
- In the living room, a configurable button with a display? What would be suitable here?
- Alarm system with motion sensors and possibly door contacts.
- Control via OpenHAB.
- Which sensor can I use to control any actuator with a simple wall switch?
Thanks in advance
If you are referring to scenes -> drop-down menus and input fields
If it’s about logic -> drop-down menus and input fields
Macros -> drop-down menus and input fields
I think you understand what I mean. You select your functions, processes, and conditions, enter a few numbers if necessary, and then click "transfer."
If it’s about actual coding or code snippets, that has nothing to do with KNX and operates on a different level. For that, there are well-known freely available tools.
Of course, the boundaries are somewhat fluid, and there are devices that require coding and programming knowledge, but these are usually powerful tools, and their use is not necessarily needed or only rarely used in a typical single-family house. In many cases, even these devices have progressed to the point where it’s mostly just about clicking things together, and in the end, you get the finished code that just needs to be implemented. Alternatively, you can use ready-made code snippets from the internet.
If it’s about logic -> drop-down menus and input fields
Macros -> drop-down menus and input fields
I think you understand what I mean. You select your functions, processes, and conditions, enter a few numbers if necessary, and then click "transfer."
If it’s about actual coding or code snippets, that has nothing to do with KNX and operates on a different level. For that, there are well-known freely available tools.
Of course, the boundaries are somewhat fluid, and there are devices that require coding and programming knowledge, but these are usually powerful tools, and their use is not necessarily needed or only rarely used in a typical single-family house. In many cases, even these devices have progressed to the point where it’s mostly just about clicking things together, and in the end, you get the finished code that just needs to be implemented. Alternatively, you can use ready-made code snippets from the internet.
Yes, I completely agree with you.
On my Homematic system, these basically very simple connections between the individual devices also run. The difference is that, as I understand it now, everything runs directly on each device in your case, and all devices are connected by cable.
But I believe that even this simple “if x then y” logic, especially when selected from a drop-down menu, completely overwhelms many people. It’s like working with percentages—basically very simple, yet it makes many people struggle.
On my Homematic system, these basically very simple connections between the individual devices also run. The difference is that, as I understand it now, everything runs directly on each device in your case, and all devices are connected by cable.
But I believe that even this simple “if x then y” logic, especially when selected from a drop-down menu, completely overwhelms many people. It’s like working with percentages—basically very simple, yet it makes many people struggle.
gmt94 schrieb:
So it just runs on each device individually (that’s how I understood it) and everything is connected by cable. Not exactly. Each device in KNX has its own functions and performs them based on parameters set by the user. Some of these parameters can be partly self-learning and self-adjusting. Each device operates independently and does not require a central unit acting as "the brain of the installation." However, it is still possible to use central controllers for more advanced or complex tasks or as gateways to other protocols or systems.
It is certainly easiest if everything is connected by a bus cable. But this is not mandatory for all devices. If necessary, other communication channels can be used, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or other wireless options, enabling the creation of subnetworks. Of course, the goal is to connect as many devices as possible directly via cable, as this provides an almost 100% guarantee of error-free operation even after decades, and makes configuration easier since everything can be managed through a single tool.
gmt94 schrieb:
But I think even this simple "if x then y" logic, especially with dropdown selections, overwhelms many people. It’s like percentages—basically very simple, but it makes many people nervous. Basically, it’s similar to the Homematic GUI, except there isn’t just one manufacturer but now over 500. Parameterizing a Siemens device works the same way as one from Busch-Jaeger or Hager. It depends on the type of device, and many nowadays allow selected parameter adjustments directly on the device itself.
The often mentioned “change that requires a technician.” This is frequently possible to do on the device itself. Of course, if one has not planned or been informed about this in advance, outside help may be necessary.
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Brainstorming18 Nov 2020 14:31I just wanted to briefly share my two cents.
In my opinion, the main reason most people (myself included) avoid KNX is that it’s already difficult to find skilled craftsmen. Although KNX has been on the market for several years or even decades, it is still relatively new compared to conventional electrical installations. There are simply far more standard electricians available than KNX specialists. Many regular electricians have little to no knowledge of KNX or other modern systems and tend to steer clear of them.
In my case (I manage all trades myself), I was just happy to find a good electrician who had previously done work for a friend. Initially, I was considering KNX because I enjoy programming and tinkering. But when I brought up KNX with the electrician and explored what was possible, he was clearly quite uncertain, which is understandable. So, we decided to install a conventional electrical system, and I plan to make some elements “smart” according to my needs, such as shutter and lighting control. For this, I currently intend to use Shelly devices and will have the electrician run neutral (N) and protective earth (PE) wires to every switch.
Of course, wireless systems have drawbacks. However, I hope this will be sufficient for my purposes, and ultimately it’s a matter of time and money. With about a thousand different trades involved, you just don’t have the time to deeply learn every unfamiliar topic, and everything has to remain affordable. It might be possible to install KNX just as cheaply or even cheaper, but then we’re back to the issue of finding a good and reasonably priced KNX specialist in the time available.
In my opinion, the main reason most people (myself included) avoid KNX is that it’s already difficult to find skilled craftsmen. Although KNX has been on the market for several years or even decades, it is still relatively new compared to conventional electrical installations. There are simply far more standard electricians available than KNX specialists. Many regular electricians have little to no knowledge of KNX or other modern systems and tend to steer clear of them.
In my case (I manage all trades myself), I was just happy to find a good electrician who had previously done work for a friend. Initially, I was considering KNX because I enjoy programming and tinkering. But when I brought up KNX with the electrician and explored what was possible, he was clearly quite uncertain, which is understandable. So, we decided to install a conventional electrical system, and I plan to make some elements “smart” according to my needs, such as shutter and lighting control. For this, I currently intend to use Shelly devices and will have the electrician run neutral (N) and protective earth (PE) wires to every switch.
Of course, wireless systems have drawbacks. However, I hope this will be sufficient for my purposes, and ultimately it’s a matter of time and money. With about a thousand different trades involved, you just don’t have the time to deeply learn every unfamiliar topic, and everything has to remain affordable. It might be possible to install KNX just as cheaply or even cheaper, but then we’re back to the issue of finding a good and reasonably priced KNX specialist in the time available.