About the Book
Absolutely no experience needed!
Make your home smarter, safer, and more fun—and save money, too!
Home automation is finally practical, useful, and easy! Now, you can control your home exactly the way you want to, without paying monthly fees. This book shows how to do it all yourself, with today’s simpler, more reliable, less expensive technologies.
Dennis C. Brewer first makes sure you’re comfortable with wiring basics and safety, and then guides you through installing, setting up, and using today’s best home automation software. Next, he walks you through several great DIY projects you can complete in just hours.
Before you know it, you’ll be controlling appliances, lighting, devices, home security, energy consumption, heating/cooling, and even your home entertainment center. Brewer covers phone interfaces, opportunities to expand, and even offerings from your phone and Internet service providers. When it comes to home automation, the future is here—and it works!
· Pick the right products and services, without overspending
· Control your home from anywhere, with Android, iPhone, iPad, or your computer
· Go green, save energy, all year long
· Make your home safer, more secure, and more comfortable
· Overcome personal mobility challenges
· Get more fun out of your TV and music system
Table of Contents:
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
About the Author :
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.
