Programmable light switch hardware.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation and control of a programmable light switch through programming and hardware integration. Participants explore existing devices, potential components for building a custom solution, and the feasibility of controlling these devices via a computer interface.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in programming a device that can control the flow of electricity in a 110V line and seeks guidance on available products or components for building such a device.
  • Another participant suggests looking into X10 devices and software as a potential solution for programmable light switches.
  • A participant notes that X10 devices require a separate network and questions their compatibility with direct computer control.
  • One reply confirms that X10 devices can indeed be controlled from a computer and shares personal experience with developing control software for such devices.
  • The original poster expresses interest in INSTEON products and emphasizes the need for an API to integrate with their application that responds to vocal commands.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best approach or device for programmable light switches, and multiple competing views regarding the capabilities of X10 and INSTEON systems remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific requirements for hardware interfaces and the availability of APIs for different products mentioned in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in home automation, programming, and hardware integration may find this discussion relevant.

MonkOFox
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Ok, I know this may sound silly, but I enjoy programming and want to take it to whatever level I'm able to.

Effectively I want to be able to (through programming) connect to a device that has some sort of electrical "switch" and by "switch" I mean, "A device that can control the flow of electricity in a given line of 110 electrical wire".

I don't know if you can buy these or not (the device that is). And if none are available I would like to know what components I would need to build something of this nature.

Next would be the task in which I implement some sort of serial interface on the device that can be sent bits for certain tasks (in this case on/off).

I know some of this may be over simplified, but any help to point me in the right direction would be awesome. I develop software for a living, so hardware isn't really my strongest area.

Thanks,

Justin
 
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Have you looked at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_%28industry_standard%29" devices and software? smarthome.com sells a lot of this stuff.
 
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From what it looks like, the X-10 devices have to be on their own little network and they are controlled from a central unit.

I could be wrong, but unless you can control the switch devices via a connection to a personal computer, then that is not exactly what I am looking for.

Thanks for the info though,

Justin
 
Yes, you can control them from your computer:
http://www.smarthome.com/2413UH/HouseLinc-2-INSTEON-Desktop-Software-with-USB-Interface-Dual-Band/p.aspx
About 10 years ago I wrote my own control software using Visual Basic. I could switch lights, appliances, and even set the temperature on my heat pump thermostat.
 
I'll have to look into those insteon products. I have an application that I'm working on that will execute certain hooks by vocal commands. I just need to make sure they have some sort of API I can use instead only their software.

I really appreciate the help man, now I have an idea of what I'm looking for : ).

Thanks again,

Justin
 

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