"The home run method I was planning on using." -kshuffle
OK, now you've just eleminated all the X10 type of devices. These are low end (altough very functionnal) devices to use when you dont have an homerun or elaborate system.
"I was going to dedicate a small room to house the control panel and all of the I/O." -kshuffle
My panel fits under the basement stairs. Its a 36" x 36" x 8" Rittal double doors with glass windows. But I have a limited homerun for the I/Os. I run only what comes from outside the house. Since the basement ceiling is not finish yet I still add to the system every now and then.
If you do wire it complete, you'll need at least a 48" x 36" panel.
Do not forget to leave space for isolation relays. The control system should activate those relays. Do not use the outputs directly...
"It looks like x-10 is the most common metod out there."-kshuffle
Not exactly, the X10 is VERY good for beginners and for the ones who don't want to get there hands dirty... Its simple, available but VERY limited. It's also quite expansive... when you have the kind of setup you intend to have i.e. homerun wiring.
Many manufacturers will tell you that they can sell you the perfect system. You will find that they are also very expansive.
What you want is a SCADA for your home... then get one. Not the cheap stuff from home automation firms. Here the word cheap is not mentionned for the cost... it's for the features availbale. I still am playing with my speach recognition software and it still does not want to understand my french
"Pierre what are you using for a central controller?"-kshuffle
OK, here it is.
I have a W2K Server (pentium 333 with 512 KRAM)
Its on my broadband (10/100) Network
Comunicating with this, I have Opto-I/Os from Dutec:
- 2 x 16 In 24 Vdc
- 2 x 16 In 120 Vac
- 4 x 16 Out Relay
...And also 1 Mitsubishi Fx-64
...And also 1 Omron CPM1A 40
...And also 1 x Rain8 (X10 compatible 8 channel out)
...And 1 x Beijer E-600 HMI
Plus many X-10 devices (wireless audio, movement sensor, + + )
...and I almost forgot 32 0/10 Vdc IN
So what is my central controler ?
Some Excel with DDE link, some VB apps with Serial connections, Some direct serial connection with Opto, some central program inside the PLCs, some serial links between PLCs and some going through the PC and some through the HMI...
I have a minimum of 3 PCs always running in the house, they have GUIs for the system in each.
So the main control is not "main" its more of a cellular implementation.
For the SCADA i've used, Paragon TNT and know am going to move to Citect.
Complicated, not really!
Fun, definatly!
Costly, not really! I have salvaged all this stuff from jobs I've done... (still tryng to figure out how to fit an old Modicon PLC rack in the group)
Educationnal, MOST DEFINETLY!
PS: For the network wiring, I cut the cost by half, just by purchasing the cable seperatly. They sell complete homerun cable with 2 Cat5,2RG6 and 2 Fiber pairs but it cost a lot more than buying them seperate.