onefineday2010
Member
Hi All,
I have been searching through post to post trying to find answers to some questions I have. But somehow I believe I am going round in circles now and hence would need your help.
My Need:
I am building a new house and before the wiring commences I am trying to get the logistics in place.
Approach:
1. I want to control lights, fan & other electrical equipment within the house using a PLC connected to the mains.
2. There will be no inputs connected to the PLC rather the plan is to add small wireless sensors throughout the house which will send a command (presence detection) to the server.
3. The server will then send a command to the PLC or Raspberry Pi connected to the PLC to switch an output port On or Off. (I have seen parts of this working on many youtube videos)
4. Post the timeout the server will send an Off command to the specific port of the PLC
5. I will be using python as the main coding language wherever possible.
My Reasoning:
1. I am not building any logic inside the PLC rather using it as an alternative to Cheap Chinese Relay Boards that I am getting in my country OR probably I do not know how to select good quality wifi/ethernet enabled Relay Boards. Either ways PLC is my first preference.
2. I am already getting a server room with 2-3 units so it makes a lot of sense allowing the server to control the PLC which allows me a lot of flexibility to modify timeouts, logic sequences etc. on the server itself using a UI.
Background:
1. I am new to the PLC World - less than 2-3 weeks of theoretical experience (neither do I own a PLC and neither do I know anything about PLC programming - AS OF NOW)
2. I am looking at either Delta or Omron PLC's - ES2/EX2 or CP1E to help me do this. I am more inclined towards Omron CP1E-N30DR-A for my needs and I want to add a couple of Output only ports to it.
3. WAGO - A lot of information is available for these on the net and on youtube but unfortunately they are only modular. I spoke with their representative in India and am waiting to hear back from him on a possible configuration for my needs and to check if it fits my budget. The Omron's or Delta's do fit.
My Questions:
1. Would my choice of PLC's do the task of switching on or off lights, fan etc properly ?
2. How will output power be supplied to these units - lights, fans etc. ? Do I have to go after a specific voltage based PLC or buy a power module separately ?
3. Would using an Ethernet module with the PLC rather than Pi provide more stability and reduced latency ? If yes what is the communication medium I will have to study about ?
4. Would using a modular PLC be advisable or I can go with the chosen options ?
5. Can someone please direct me to a website / book / article / video anything which can help me learn about these:
-- Basic Programing knowledge which will be required in my case
-- Setting up a PLC
-- Communicating using Ethernet or advisable communication ports
6. Digital or Analog output which one should I prefer ? I want a dim effect on all my house light when they are switched on or off. i.e. they should create that soft on or off feel.
I know many might advice me to go and get some professional help or get an existing automation solutions like Insteon or Zigbee etc... But I like challenges and coming from a commerce background I could program, manage a server room, design a wifi motion sensor etc. etc. SO I hope you get the gist... if you could guide me I will be thankful... Anyways thanks a ton for stopping by.. I appreciate it
Regards
OFD
I have been searching through post to post trying to find answers to some questions I have. But somehow I believe I am going round in circles now and hence would need your help.
My Need:
I am building a new house and before the wiring commences I am trying to get the logistics in place.
Approach:
1. I want to control lights, fan & other electrical equipment within the house using a PLC connected to the mains.
2. There will be no inputs connected to the PLC rather the plan is to add small wireless sensors throughout the house which will send a command (presence detection) to the server.
3. The server will then send a command to the PLC or Raspberry Pi connected to the PLC to switch an output port On or Off. (I have seen parts of this working on many youtube videos)
4. Post the timeout the server will send an Off command to the specific port of the PLC
5. I will be using python as the main coding language wherever possible.
My Reasoning:
1. I am not building any logic inside the PLC rather using it as an alternative to Cheap Chinese Relay Boards that I am getting in my country OR probably I do not know how to select good quality wifi/ethernet enabled Relay Boards. Either ways PLC is my first preference.
2. I am already getting a server room with 2-3 units so it makes a lot of sense allowing the server to control the PLC which allows me a lot of flexibility to modify timeouts, logic sequences etc. on the server itself using a UI.
Background:
1. I am new to the PLC World - less than 2-3 weeks of theoretical experience (neither do I own a PLC and neither do I know anything about PLC programming - AS OF NOW)
2. I am looking at either Delta or Omron PLC's - ES2/EX2 or CP1E to help me do this. I am more inclined towards Omron CP1E-N30DR-A for my needs and I want to add a couple of Output only ports to it.
3. WAGO - A lot of information is available for these on the net and on youtube but unfortunately they are only modular. I spoke with their representative in India and am waiting to hear back from him on a possible configuration for my needs and to check if it fits my budget. The Omron's or Delta's do fit.
My Questions:
1. Would my choice of PLC's do the task of switching on or off lights, fan etc properly ?
2. How will output power be supplied to these units - lights, fans etc. ? Do I have to go after a specific voltage based PLC or buy a power module separately ?
3. Would using an Ethernet module with the PLC rather than Pi provide more stability and reduced latency ? If yes what is the communication medium I will have to study about ?
4. Would using a modular PLC be advisable or I can go with the chosen options ?
5. Can someone please direct me to a website / book / article / video anything which can help me learn about these:
-- Basic Programing knowledge which will be required in my case
-- Setting up a PLC
-- Communicating using Ethernet or advisable communication ports
6. Digital or Analog output which one should I prefer ? I want a dim effect on all my house light when they are switched on or off. i.e. they should create that soft on or off feel.
I know many might advice me to go and get some professional help or get an existing automation solutions like Insteon or Zigbee etc... But I like challenges and coming from a commerce background I could program, manage a server room, design a wifi motion sensor etc. etc. SO I hope you get the gist... if you could guide me I will be thankful... Anyways thanks a ton for stopping by.. I appreciate it
Regards
OFD