Hi all! When I started renovating my apartment last year, I thought about the issue of a smart home.
What is a smart home? Essentially, this simply means that you use internet-connected devices to remotely monitor and control various systems and appliances in your home.
If you don't know how to create or even get started with a smart home, you've come to the right place.
We'll talk about the products you should start with for your smart home, you'll find out that the devil is not as scary as they say, in addition to the fact that most of these products are very affordable.
We will go through all the stages of creating a smart home. Let's find out what technology can offer us in 2022.
In the first part we will look at all the devices that I am going to use in my smart apartment.
In the second part we will deal directly with their installation and configuration.
And finally, in the third part there will be the most interesting thing, we will write out various scenarios and find out how much easier life is - a smart home.
But I think we won’t stop there, but will continue to make a smart home, testing all sorts of devices, for example, a smart surveillance video camera.
Go!
So, I chose a smart home system from the famous Legrand brand. Why?
Range . From smart sockets to various micromodules for lighting control, which turn the world of fundamental electrics into a smart home system. I don't want to hang modules on household sockets or screw smart bulbs into lamps. Instead, I want to make the sockets and lamps themselves smart.
Legrand has a whole series of devices called Netatmo. They are all highly technologically advanced. All can be controlled both from the application and using voice. The range extends to the categories of safety, climate control, atmosphere, sockets, light and so on.
Secondly. All Legrand devices are united by a beautiful design in a modern style from minimalism to classics. And since I was renovating my apartment from scratch, it was important for me that the system did not cause aesthetic harm to the fittings.
And what is also very important, the Legrand smart home system is compatible with popular voice assistants - Alice, Apple Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Which of these assistants to choose is a separate topic for discussion, but for now the only important thing is that we have a choice.
Controllable curtains
Curtains can be controlled in different ways:
- The drive control unit is constantly supplied with a voltage of 230 volts, control is carried out by a “dry contact” signal. In this case, we supply power using a 3x0.75 power cable (of any type) + an FTP cable for control. FTP can be taken 4-wire (2x2x0.5). If the curtain rod is double (drive for curtains + drive for tulle), then control can be taken from one FTP 4x2x0.5, 3 wires for each drive. The power cable can be routed in a loop between all drives.
- Phase control. A 5x0.75 cable runs to the curtain; depending on the side to which the curtain goes, the power phase is supplied to one or the second input of the drive. The power supply can be 230 volts or 24 volts. If 24, then you need to count the voltage loss in the cable to find out whether a larger cross-section cable is needed.
- Polarity control. 24 volts are supplied to the drive with a 2x0.75 cable, connect it in one polarity - it goes in one direction, change + and - it goes in the other direction. May be relevant for tubular motors of roller blinds. Control via RS-485. Not often, but it happens. You need a power cable and FTP, both cables can be daisy chained through all curtain drives.
Conclusion: it is important to decide on the model of the curtain control drive and install the cable based on this.
Universal option: cable 5x0.75 + FTP 5E. Less universal - just 5x0.75.
Gateway
Well, the first thing a smart home starts with is a hub. It is included in the starter package, where in addition to the crystal-shaped Wi-Fi gateway itself, there is also a smart socket + main switch with “I'm at home / I'm away from home” functions.
This hub can manage up to 100 devices. The entire system works using the Zigbee protocol. This means that each wired device increases the coverage of the entire network.
In the absence of WiFi, the entire system continues to work like a regular electrician, which is also a big advantage of the system, that is, the devices perfectly connect to each other directly, bypassing a gateway or router and you will not depend on the Internet.
The gateway will be installed in a regular mounting box, like a socket, and on top it will be decorated with a white overlay, making the entire structure look stylish and solid. I love.
The socket, of course, is smart; its maximum current is similar to conventional sockets - 16A. In addition to controlling it through the application, it is, firstly, protected from overload, so you can use any equipment with it, and secondly, it measures electricity consumption.
The main switch can be installed absolutely anywhere, but it is more logical to do this near the front door. It is attached either to the box with screws or to the included double-sided tape and is powered by a CR2032 , which lasts for 8 years according to information from battery manufacturers, but in fact depends on the intensity of use. I think 5 years will definitely be enough. Changing the battery every 5 years is not a problem at all. But you can attach it anywhere and I already have an interesting idea for this. But, I repeat, we will install the devices in the second part.
What does the main switch do? Runs a set of main scripts that you configure. Well, let’s say it’s commonplace to turn off all lights when you leave home. This way you won’t have to run around the house checking if the lights are turned off everywhere.
Let's look further at other devices in the Legrand smart home ecosystem.
Air conditioner control
To control air conditioners, an FTP cable of category 5 is installed to all indoor units of air conditioners from the controller in the ACS panel. Air conditioners must support RS485/Modbus TCP control; this usually requires additional air conditioner communication modules.
Communication with other devices controlled via RS485 is carried out using the same FTP cable from the controller to each device. A ventilation machine, generator, boiler, convector, and some audio devices can be controlled via RS485. The cable is routed in a star configuration.
Attention!
It is not recommended to lay a low-current cable at a distance closer than 100mm from a power cable. That is, all FTP and CQR cables must be run separately from the power lines in order to avoid interference that will change the signal. Intersection at an angle of 90 degrees is allowed.
Smart micro lighting module
Next, we are now looking at an important element of a smart home. This is a lighting micromodule that is installed in a chandelier or sconce.
In fact, you can install it anywhere: in a suspended ceiling, false ceiling, in a junction box, and so on. Light control occurs through this compact device.
It connects very simply. This is a kind of adapter, if you like.
The connection diagram, by the way, is included in the kit and does not seem complicated, especially since all the terminals on the micromodule are labeled. This connection method allows you to hide the device under the ceiling, in the base of a chandelier or anywhere on the power line
Thus, your ordinary lamp or group of lamps turns into smart ones.
The maximum load power of the micromodule is 300 W for incandescent lamps and 100 W for LED lamps and it is compatible with any type of lamp, be it diode, halogen or fluorescent.
Alarm sensors in a Smart Home
Motion sensors
can be used for security alarm functions and light control by motion detection. A four-core unshielded CQR 4x0.22mm cable is installed before the motion sensors. Two wires of the cable are used to transmit power to the sensor 12 or 24 volts, two wires are the sensor response signal (closed in normal condition, open in case of alarm).
Motion sensors are usually placed in the corner of the room in order to capture the largest area. Standard detection range is 8-12 meters, angle 90-120 degrees.
There are circular sensors with a detection angle of 360 degrees, a range of 8-12 meters. Located in the center of the room.
Motion sensors of the “curtain” type monitor the area strictly below them and are installed on the windows on the side of the room or above the doors.
Corridor-type motion sensors have a detection range of up to 25 meters, the width of the corridor is about 2 meters.
Door/window sensors
(reed switches) are connected with the same cable. They do not require power, they simply open the loop when triggered.
Gas sensors
connected in the same way with the same cable. For sensors with a supply voltage of 230 volts, an additional power cable MKSh 2x0.75 or similar must be provided. For gas sensors with combined sensors (for example, natural + carbon monoxide), it is necessary to provide cables based on power supply (2 wires) + 2 wires for each relay output signal of the sensor.
The natural (main) gas and methane sensor is installed at a distance of 5-15 cm from the ceiling, no further than two meters from the gas source.
The liquefied gas sensor (propane, butane - gas in cylinders) is installed at a distance of 15-25 cm from the floor, no further than two meters from the gas source.
The carbon monoxide sensor is installed at a distance of 1.5 meters from the floor, no further than 1.85 m from the gas source. The source of carbon monoxide is a wood fireplace.
Sensors of the same type can be connected in one loop (connect all sensors with one cable), this will save cable, but the panel will not know which sensor was triggered.
Smoke detectors
can be connected with the same CQR 4×0.22mm cable, if fire alarm approval is not required in any authorities. If approval is required (for commercial premises), then fire-resistant FRLS cable must be used in accordance with the fire alarm design.
Smart wireless switch
To control the lighting to which we will put these micromodules, we will need wireless switches. They can be either single-key or double-key.
By the way, please note that the keys on Legrand smart switches are actually buttons. Yes, this is a push-button type switch. And this immediately gives them a certain premium quality.
They operate, like the main switch, from a CR2032 battery. Attaches either to screws in a regular box, or to any flat surface using double-sided tape.
In addition to the switch and double-sided tape, the kit includes a frame, a plastic plug and instructions.
The switch can be linked not only to the lighting micromodule, but also to a smart socket and a smart wired switch, which we will talk about a little later. It sounds a little strange to pair a wireless switch with a wired switch or outlet, but the option is there. This means that it can be used as a wireless remote control.
Heating control cables
Paraffin thermal actuators with a seat M30x1.5 (standard size) are installed on the collector of radiators or water-heated floors or on the radiators themselves. A MKSh 2x0.75 cable runs to each drive from the ACS panel from the discrete output of the controller.
If the drives are placed on radiators and not on the collector, then the drives of the radiators of one room can be connected with one cable, since there is no need to turn them on separately from each other.
Electric heated floors are connected in the same way as electrical appliances - with a power cable with a cross-section of 1.5 or 2.5 from the ACS panel.
A floor temperature sensor, if there is no need to install an air temperature sensor (for example, for bathrooms or hallways where there are no radiators), is installed with an adapter board installed at the socket level.
Wired smart switch with dimming function
Next we have another mega useful device - a wired smart switch with a dimming function. Essentially, this is a dimmer that can work like a regular switch, but plus it has brains.
It is installed like a regular switch in a standard mounting box.
The set includes a plug, frame and compensator for correct operation of the lamps.
That is, you can simply replace your regular switch with this one and provide yourself with remote control of the light using a switch, using an application on your phone, or using a smart assistant. This is a good option if you're renovating or building a new home and still need to install switches, or if you have a lighting fixture that you just don't want to put smart bulbs or a smart micro module in.
The switch also has a dimming function; it can either dim the lighting or make it brighter. But for this you need appropriate lamps recommended by the manufacturer. If anything happens, I'll leave a link in the description: https://legrand.ru/lamps
It is also possible to activate the backlight of the switch so that it can be found in the dark. There is also an indication that shows whether the lights in the room are on or off.
Water leakage control
For water leakage sensors, a CQR 4x0.22mm cable is used. Each sensor has a separate cable or they are combined into a loop, then the panel will not know which sensor of one loop was triggered.
For water shut-off valves, a cable MKSh 5x0.75 or similar is used. You can run one cable to several taps, but then they will only open and close all at the same time. So, to generally shut off the water in the apartment in the event of a leak, you can run one 5-core cable simultaneously for hot and cold water.
There are two types of cranes, differing in controls. For example, for Neptune taps the control is as follows: apply power to one contact - the taps open, apply power to the other - close. That is, you need 4 wires: grounding, zero, opening, closing. For Gidrolock taps, you need to constantly supply power to the tap, and the control wire must either be shorted to zero or not. Also 4 wires: ground, power, neutral, control. Why do we pull a 5-core cable? Because, firstly, the faucet model may require 5 cores (definitely not more, but maybe 5), secondly, we already use a 5-core cable for curtains, so there’s no need to look for and buy a 4-core cable separately. But if you are sure about the tap that will be used, and the 4-core cable is already available, then you can use it. But an additional core is never superfluous.
Whether we have taps for 230 volts, 12 or 24 - in this case, it doesn’t matter.
Smart plug
We've sorted out the smart lights, let's move on to smart sockets. The set also includes a frame and a protective cover.
Installing a smart socket is no different from a regular one. Attached in the box with screws and clamps. The terminals here are automatic for phase, zero and ground. There is overload protection and protective curtains.
In addition to monitoring electricity consumption, smart sockets will allow you to remotely control household appliances connected to them. And in case of non-standard switching on or off, notifications will be sent to your phone.
I don’t yet know how justified it is to install smart sockets in the house, but the fact that they will add security to the house is for sure. There is also an indication showing whether the socket is working or not.
Regular socket + frame
In addition to smart sockets, I also have regular sockets from the same Valena Life / Valena Life with Netatmo series. Since I have so many sockets in my apartment, because I’m a fan of sockets, I thought it was worth saving money and making the bulk of the sockets ordinary. Moreover, I will have a smart machine that will essentially count all the electricity passing into the apartment.
Accordingly, as you can see, the design of conventional sockets is identical to smart ones. This is a big plus of the Legrand smart home ecosystem. Firstly, it does not conflict in any way with conventional electrics and secondly, it has a large assortment. Here, for example, is a socket for an Ethernet cable in the same beautiful style.
Well, friends, in the next part we will install all our devices in the apartment and do their initial setup in the proprietary Home+Control application. So stay tuned, it will be interesting, because we are just getting started.
