Home Automation Made Easy

Dennis C. Brewer is a technology enthusiast who has been associated with electrical and electronic projects since attending Washington Middle School in Calumet, Michigan.   His early technology experience included testing for and receiving an FCC commercial radio broadcast engineer license that allowed him to become a solo station operator announcer/engineer for WMPL AM/FM radio in Hancock, Michigan,. and finished service as a Chief Petty Officer Interior Communications Electrician to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.   Dennis attended Michigan Technological University (MTU) and served simultaneous membership in the Michigan Army National Guard as a communication Sergeant First Class and a Cadet in the Michigan Technological University Army ROTC program. Upon graduation he was commissioned and a first Lieutenant, Combat Engineer Branch US Army Reserve.   Mr. Brewer’s employment in government service included the State of Michigan as a computer technology specialist with assignments in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Management and Budget, and Department of Information Technology. During his 12-year career in State of Michigan Government as a Novell (CNE) certified network engineer and information technology specialist, his experience included hands-on hardware, administration, network management and troubleshooting, consulting and planning services for state agencies, establishment of enterprise-level standards and procedures implementation, data security, and identity management. After retiring from state government, Dennis continued to pursue his interests in technology as an author and independent consultant.   Published books by Dennis C. Brewer include:   Build Your Own Free-to-Air (FTA) Satellite TV System, by Dennis C. Brewer (McGraw-Hill: Nov 8, 2011) Wiring Your Digital Home For Dummies, by Dennis C. Brewer and Paul A. Brewer (For Dummies/Wiley: Oct 9, 2006) Security Controls for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 IT Compliance: Authorization, Authentication, and Access, by Dennis C. Brewer (Wiley: Oct 21, 2005) Picture Yourself Networking Your Home or Small Office, by Dennis C. Brewer (Course Technology PTR: Dec 2, 2008) Green My Home!: 10 Steps to Lowering Energy Costs and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint, by Dennis C. Brewer (Kaplan Publishing: Oct 7, 2008)   His magazine writing credits include topics on disaster recovery, defining adequate security controls, free satellite TV, and Sarbane s-Oxley controls.   For more information about this author and his current technology and writing projects, visit http://www.DennisCBrewer.info.  

Introduction 1

Value Proposition of a Central Home Automation Platform 2

  Solving Place and Time Problems 2

  Maximizing Convenience 2

  The “Wow!” Factor 2

  Neutralize Physical Challenges 2

  Going GREEN (Getting to Reduced Energy Expenditure Now) 3

  Safety and Security 3

How This Book Brings Automation to Your Home 3

Free HAL Software Download 4

  About HALBasic 4

Chapter 1 Home Wiring and Electrical Fundamentals 7

Safety Tips 7

Terms to Know and Understand 10

  DC (Direct Current) 11

  AC (Alternating Current) 11

  Single-Phase AC Circuits 12

  Three-Phase AC Circuits 12

  Transformer Connections 13

  Delta-Connected Three-Phase Transformers 14

  Wye-Connected Three-Phase Transformers 14

  Ohm’s Law and the Power Formula 15

  Voltage (E) 16

  Resistance (R) 16

  Amperage (I) 16

  Watts (P) 16

  Watt Hours (kWh) 16

  Power Distribution Transformers 17

Inverters 18

Converters 19

  Household Electrical Power 19

  Household AC Wiring and Devices 19

  Hot Wire 20

  Neutral Wire 20

  Ground/Bonding Wire 20

  Phone 24

  Cable TV/Satellite 25

  Microphones 25

 Thermostats 25

  Common Legacy Electric Controls 25

  Switches 25

  Dimmers and Dimmer Switches 29

  Timers 29

  Clock Timers 29

  Motion Sensor Switches 30

  Heat Sensor Switches 30

  Alternative and Backup Power Sources 30

  Battery Backup Power Supplies 30

  Backup Generators 30

Definitive Information Source–NEC 30

Schematic Diagrams 31

Chapter 2 Using a Windows Computer as Your Home Automation Platform 33

Details and Choices 34

First Choice: Shared, Dedicated, or Networked? 35

  Shared Computer Option 35

  Dedicated Computer Option 35

  Networked Computer Option 36

Second Choice: Buy Preconfigured or Build Your Own 36

  Purchase a Preconfigured Home Automation PC 37

Have a Home Automation System Professionally Installed 37

  Purchase a New or Used PC 37

Most Important Characteristics for Your Home Automation Platform 38

  Computer Case 38

  Computer Operating System 38

 Processor (CPU) 39

  Memory 40

  Storage Drive(s) 41

  I/O Ports 41

  Optical Drive 41

  Video Card 41

  Ethernet Port 42

  Monitor 42

  Sound Card 42

  Additional Hardware 43

Planning the Computer’s Installation Location 43

Book Prototype Computer 43

Setting up Your Computer 45

  Updating the Operating System Software 45

  Updating the Security Software 51

  Creating Recovery Media and Diagnostics 56

  Surge Protection and Battery Backup 56

Chapter 3 Introduction to Control Protocols and Automation Process 59

Control Methods 59

  Reasons for Using Automated Control 60

  Time Based 60

  Need Based 60

  Event Based 61

  Communication Based 61

  Protocols and Standards 61

  Physical-Layer Communication 62

  Imposing Messages on the Physical Media 63

Automation Processes are Trigged by an Event 67

  Process Actions 67

Chapter 4 Project 1, Installing HALbasic Software on Your PC 69

Starting Point 70

Security Software 70

Beginning the HALbasic Install 71

  Modify OS Security Setting 72

  HALbasic Installation Steps 75

  Activation 82

  Register with HAL 86

  Exploring HALbasic 86

Chapter 5 Project 2, Controlling Appliances, Lights, and Devices 89

Connecting the Hardware 89

  Connecting the Control Adapter to the PC 90

  Setting up the Control Modules 93

  Setting up Plug-in Control Modules 95

 Setting up Hard-wired Outlet Control Modules 98

Configuring Control Modules Identities in HALbasic 100

  Control–Time-Based Routines 115

  Control–Voice Commands 122

Chapter 6 Project 3, Controlling Lighting: Indoors and Outdoors 127

Switching for Indoor and Outdoor Lighting Circuits 128

Existing Multilocation Switching 129

  Deciphering Existing Home Wiring 131

  Lighting Fixture Switched from a Single Location 131

  Lighting Fixture Switched from Two Locations 132

  Lighting Fixture Switched from Three Locations 133

  Lighting Fixture Switched from Four or More Locations 134

  Existing Home Wiring Adapted for UPB Controls 135

  Single-Location UPB-Controlled Lighting Fixture 135

  Two-Location UPB-Controlled Lighting Fixture 138

  Three-Location UPB-Controlled Lighting Fixture 139

  Making the Wiring Connections 143

  Connecting the UPB Control Adapter to the PC 145

  Setting up the UPB Control Modules 147

  Configuring Control Modules’ Identities in HALbasic 148

  The Remote Wall Switches 156

Chapter 7 Project 4, Linking Video to Your Security System 157

Linking in HAL Video Capture Features 158

  Surveillance Camera Selection 159

  USB Cameras 159

Internet Protocol Security Cameras 160

Deciding How Many Cameras Are Needed 162

Installing and Locating the Cameras 162

  The One-Web-Camera (USB) Solution 162

  USB Camera Installation 163

  The Multiple-Camera Solution 163

  IP Ethernet Camera Installation 164

  Assigning IP Addresses for Cameras on Your Network 171

  Registering the Cameras in HALdvc Setup 173

Setting Up Camera Security Actions with HALultra 178

Chapter 8 Project 5, Upgrading the Home Automation Platform to HALultra 183

Upgrading to HALultra 184

  Administrative Steps 184

  Back Up HALbasic 184

  Installing 186

  Activating 187

  Testing 187

  Explore New Features 189

Chapter 9 Project 6, Installing a Home Automation Voice Portal Modem in Your Computer 191

Installing the Voice Portal Modem 193

Connecting the Voice Portal in the Operating System 197

Voice Portal Installation with the HAL Setup Wizard 199

Chapter 10 Project 7, Getting Green and Managing Your Home’s Climate 207

Getting Green 207

Managing Temperature and Energy Consumption 207

Heating and Cooling System Links 208

  On/Off Devices 208

  Thermostats 208

  Deploying Gauges, “Triggers,” and Sensors 209

  Using Time-Based Heating/Cooling Control 209

Installing a HALultra-Compatible Thermostat 210

Installing an In-line Fan/Light Control 216

Setting up the Interface in HALultra 218

Chapter 11 Project 8, Adding New Controllers and Interfaces: Z-Wave, INSTEON, and More 225

Additional Interfaces for HALultra 225

  ZigBee 225

  Infrared 226

  HVAC 227

  Security 228

  Input/Output 229

  INSTEON 229

  Z-Wave 229

Setting up a Z-Wave Network 232

  Using a Laptop with the Leviton RF Installer Tool 233

Chapter 12 Project 9, Automating the Home Entertainment Center’s Music Management 241

The Changing Landscape of Home Electronics 241

  Select Sound Reproduction Equipment 242

  Digital Sound Reproduction Quality 242

  Digital Music File Formats 243

  Download and Install HALdmc 246

  Setting Up HALdmc 246

  Using HALdmc 250

  Using Voice Commands with the Digital Music Center 254

Chapter 13 Project 10, Connecting and Using the Home Automation Platform over the Internet 257

Preparing the Internet/Intranet Connection for HALultra 257

  Internet Service 258

  Setup and Tweaks on the Modem-Router-Firewall-Switch 258

  Setting up the HomeNet Server 259

  Enabling the HomeNet Web Server 259

  Logging In to HomeNet 262

  Using HAL on the Internet 262

  Collecting Internet Data 262

  Viewing Internet Data Collected by HAL 268

  Controlling HAL over the Web 270

Chapter 14 Controlling Your Home with iOS and Android 273

Interactive Device Server Applications 273

  Apple App 274

  Android App 274

Using Smart Phones and Tablets to Control HAL 274

  Enabling the “Interactive Device Server” 274

  Using HALids with iOS 275

  Using HALids with Android 281

  Checking the IDS Log 285

Chapter 15 Evaluating Broadband and Telecom Home Automation Offerings 287

Selection Criteria for Monitoring and Managed Service Providers 288

  Market Service Area 288

  Proprietary Technology 288

  PC or Controller Based 289

  Initial Installation Cost 289

  Cost Model 1 290

  Cost Model 2 290

  Cost Model 3 290

  Cost Model 4 290

  Monthly Service Fees 291

  Commitment Term 291

  Level of Ongoing Service Support 291

  Installer Competence and Tech Support Quality 291

  Monitoring/Management Center Location 292

  What Is Being Monitored? 292

  What Is Being Managed Versus Offered? 293

  Miscellaneous Concerns 294

Expected Future Offerings 294

Mainstream Companies with HA and Monitoring Systems or Services 294

Chapter 16 Adding Future Self-Designed Home Automation Projects 297

Design Steps 297

Popular Home Automation System Add-ons 299

  Growing Your Automation System with Additional UPB Devices 299

  Expanding the Reach of Your Control with INSTEON Controls and Kits 300

  Enlarging the Control Zone with Additional Z-Wave Devices 301

  Remoting with IR 302

  Improving Security Reactions with Interfaces to Home Automation 302

Setup Correlations 302

Summation 303

TOC, 9780789751249, 10/11/2013