| Simple Options for Smart Homes |
From "Home Tech"
episode HTC-104 |
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X10 Technology:
How to Have a Wired Home Without the Wires Not all smart-home technology requires a prewired home. There are some simple solutions that can be installed with no construction or even wiring required. And the technology is relatively inexpensive and available through home-improvement centers, electronics stores and hardware stores. Consider X10 technology, a smart-home technology that takes advantage of the existing wiringin any home with electricity. It sends signals through the electrical wiring in order to control the electrical devices that you desire. A controller unit transmits signals to various receiver modules (figure A) throughout the house, which in turn control the devices to which they're connected. X10 utilizes several assignable channels and can orchestrate a number of command-functions through either your remote control or your home PC. Like other smart-home systems, X10 can automate certain home appliances as well as lighting. For example, with X10 you could program your system to turn on your coffeemaker and begin brewing coffee five minutes before your wake-up alarm goes off in the morning. Then moments later, the system could turn on your kitchen lights and television so they're already on when you wake up. Typical X10 kits come with a universal control unit, several receiver modules and -- with more advanced kits -- software to install on your PC. The software is simple and easy to learn for any computer user. Controlled functions can include turning lights off or dimming them at certain times. A timer interface (figure B) on the software that comes with a PC-based X10 system allows you to set times for individual lights throughout the house. The dimmer interface (figure C) lets you determine light intensity. Similar controls are available for other electrical appliances. Because individual modules are relatively inexpensive, you may want to pick up some extras to allow you to control more devices in your home.
RESOURCES :
Home Sync
Home Sync
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-406-6906
Website: www.gohomesync.com
X10 Home Solutions
Web site: www.x10.com
smarthome.com
Web site: www.smarthome.com
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