| DIY home automation lighting has been around | | | | tear down your walls to install new or additional |
| since about 1980 and while the advantages | | | | wires or switches so I won't go into those types. |
| homeowners hoped to gain such as convenience, | | | | Wireless systems such as Z-Wave work very |
| energy savings and security were at times | | | | well but are subject to RFI (radio frequency |
| outweighed by the fact that these early systems | | | | interference) at times and rely on using a "mesh" |
| were not always reliable. These early devices | | | | network where all devices talk to all the others |
| relied on a communication protocol known as X-10 | | | | and repeat any missed instructions. For the best |
| where one light switch or receptacle would talk to | | | | retrofit DIY lighting automation solution, the |
| the others over an existing household electrical | | | | technology that appears to have clear advantages |
| system. As it turned out, X-10 relied on a weak | | | | over the others is UPB. As mentioned before, it |
| signal that was subject to interference from | | | | operates over the existing AC power lines in a |
| everyday appliances that would create electrical | | | | house and is extremely reliable, unlike its older |
| line noise. | | | | cousin the X-10 protocol. A simple plug-in adapter |
| Turn the clock ahead 20 years. Many of those | | | | and free downloadable software enables full |
| early X-10 systems are still in use today but the | | | | control of the lighting schema when combined |
| technology has advanced tremendously. Enter | | | | with elegant UPB electrical switches and electrical |
| UPB. UPB or Universal Powerline Bus has proven | | | | outlets, all from the power of your PC. |
| to be 100 to 1000 times more reliable than the | | | | Simply turning a light on, off or just dimming is |
| best X-10 systems in existence due to its signal | | | | not really a big deal from a PC but the real power |
| strength and speed, approaching that of hard | | | | comes when you decide that you would like to |
| wired systems. | | | | combine switches to form lighting scenes or zone |
| Many times we've been asked "how can I | | | | lighting. You see, these switches are not your |
| automate the lighting in my home?". While the | | | | ordinary run-of-the-mill variety. Sure there are |
| answer requires knowledge of some specifics | | | | some that just handle the standard on, off and |
| involved, it is well within the ability of those who | | | | dim but others are designed to handle scene or |
| can safely replace a light switch or a receptacle | | | | zone lighting with the push of a button for any |
| outlet to accomplish. The next obvious question | | | | number of rooms or even the whole house, if |
| people have is "how do all the lights know when | | | | you so desire. |
| to turn on, off or dim?" A little basic background | | | | Also, it is easy enough to scrap your old security |
| information on the technologies involved makes | | | | panel at a later date and replace it with a unit that |
| things a lot simpler. | | | | integrates other systems in a home such as |
| We live in an age of networks and inter-networks. | | | | heating and air conditioning, surveillance, home |
| Home automated lighting in that regard, is no | | | | theater, swimming pool or jacuzzi, water |
| different. There are three broad types of | | | | sprinklers, you name it and just about anything |
| automated lighting controls; those that are | | | | else you can imagine. How about a security |
| wireless such as Z-Wave, those that are | | | | breech issuing an "all lights on" command? Or |
| hardwired and installed as the house is being built | | | | maybe you'd like to check on your home or |
| and those that communicate over a households | | | | make adjustments from anywhere in the world |
| existing electrical wiring such as X-10, UPB | | | | from your PDA or laptop? The possibilities are |
| (Universal Powerline Bus) and a few others. All of | | | | virtually endless. |
| these protocols (or communication standards) can | | | | If you can manage to program a remote control |
| operate as a single, stand alone system or can be | | | | for your TV, VCR or whatever, you already have |
| integrated with more complex home automation | | | | the basic skills...logic! No need to learn complex |
| and security controllers for a complete smart | | | | programming languages, just simple, plain, |
| home solution. | | | | down-to-earth English. |
| Obviously, from a practical standpoint, you can't | | | | |