Choosing a Home Automation
If you’re just getting started in home automation, or looking to upgrade the X10, this article is for you! Home automation systems can become large systems over time, because the process of adding the”one more thing”is a lot of appeal. Choosing the right system from the start can save you headaches and wasted money.There are many systems on the market today that all claim to help you automate your house, and all to some degree. Some systems have relatively little in the way of equipment, and after you buy, you may find that you are limited to certain types of lighting or expensive third-party partnerships.Determine whether the system you are looking for has all the parts for everything you might do in the future is a daunting task, however, which is the reason why the universal modules carry some tension in this regard. Universal wire module allows any combination of the two-wire, it’s focal points and will act as a relay and I / O devices from wires. Opto-isolation is still available for some modules (specifically EZIO for Insteon).
Two basic communication techniques used in home automation and RF power distribution, phase shifting. If you are coming from the X10 world, is used between RF remotes and wireless base stations and communications powerline is used for all cable installations. Each type of communication has its pros and cons, the older houses have more use of wireless as a dense living conditions (ie flats / Condos / townhouses), see less interference to communication over powerlines. One technology for both, and it’dual-phase”approach is described more in the link below.