Arduino Project - Home Automation .....HELPPP

Question

Still new at all this but want to thank you for looking at this.

Trying to use the Arduino to control the lights in my house

and connect to other devices in the house and possible control

them without being wired directly to them but have no idea how

Open to suggestions and learning very much.

what components would I need?

what projects are like this and already out there?

how does alexa or google home do it?

shabaz · Answer

Hi, Possibly wireless is the easiest/safest method for communication to the end device (lights in your example), and that entails something like WiFi, BLE or proprietary wireless. Something like this: Lights<--wireless<---Controller<---wireless<---user interface If you search on the Internet for home automation with Arduino, you'll likely come across hundreds/thousands of hits, all using relays with Arduino, i.e. something like this: Lights<--relay<---Controller<---wireless<---user interface That's not ideal for a beginner, because it entails making connections into mains power circuits. My suggestion (if you wish to take it) is to look for off-the-shelf devices that will connect to the lighting or other things you wish to control, and get someone qualified to install it, if it needs physical wiring into the mains. Then you're free to control it wirelessly. I don't know which country you're in, but you'll have to do country-specific searches for wireless home automation devices, because there is country-specific legislation concerning mains connections, and wireless frequencies. Here's a UK example: Home Automation in the UK Simplified, Part 1: Energenie MiHome EDIT: I just saw 14rhb post, and the principle is the same, i.e. make each controlled device wireless. I also agree, you'll probably find you'll want to migrate off Arduino for the controller.

14rhb · Answer

Hi there,

If you type "Home Automation Arduino" into the top search bar of this website you should find plenty of articles on Element14 already. Below are a few that came up and might help you determine some of the ways you can do this.

Personally I'd look at making each of the lights a stand-alone Internet of Things (IoT) node; that is to say you can control each separately via the home WiFi network. Your Arduino, or other board of choice, would then act as the controller. Each IoT node would be a ESP8266 or similar low-cost WiFi module. That said there are many other neat little boards specifically for this - a search of Element14 with "IoT" should guide you. I think things are easier if you migrate from the Arduino to a Raspberry Pi - you could use something like the GraspIO

https://www.element14.com/community/message/97719/l/can-anyone-please-help-me-how-can-a-make-a-home-automation-system-us…

Automating My Home

https://www.element14.com/community/message/148773/l/using-an-arduino-to-turn-on-the-lights#148773

Rod

gsgill112 · Answer

The Most simplest and easy way to do it is using a Existing Service like offered by Google or Amazon. 1. [Optional This will make things Voice Controlled] Get yourself Google Home mini or Google Home or Amazon Alexa whichever you feel is cheep 2. Buy some Sonoff BASIC Modules They are like 4-5$ and can handle any appliance up to 10A. Get advance Sonoff Modules for More Amp requirements. [B.T.W they are ESP8266 based so you can get the toolchain installed and reprogram them using Arduino IDE ][NOTE : You may need a USB to UART to Program these Modules] 3. Follow this tutorial : It will tell you how to connect the modules to WiFi, and setting up devices on an APP. 4. Enjoy You can see this if you want them to be voice enabled . Google Home OR Amazon Alexa NOW if you want to start from scratch and reinvent the wheels; Well Thats gonna take a hell more time But you will definitely learn a heck lot Cool So, Follow this Link or This Link Hope this helps, You can also go through My Youtube channel and please do subscribe Regards, GS Gill

Arduino Project - Home Automation .....HELPPP

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