Home Automation Question

[protea]

Two more names to toss complicate your decision. EZAutomation is the cheapest PLC and more than adequate for your project and if you want to make it an expandable fun project try Parralax's "The Stamp". Wonderful, powerful and tons of fun easy to learn. Other people have mentioned but it needs being said one more time the RaspberryPi which incidentally would be my choice (and has been for several projects).

 

[blftech]

Triangle Research International - PLC Specialists for Automation and OEMs

Take a look at the Fx1616-BA PLC. It is Triangle Research's top-of-the-line PLC. It sells for about $469.99 including the software. The "BA" in its part number refers to "Building Automation" and suggests its special application focus. I have used this in several projects and is very easy to use and learn. It uses ladder logic and Basic language programming.

http://www.triplc.com/fx1616ba.htm

 

[PLCnovice61]

I think you can't beat Arduino/PI for the price (just about for free) compared to a PLC, let alone the free software.