Category: Support

Smarthings compatibility with Z-Wave devices

We often get asked if a certain Z-Wave device is compatible with the Samsung Smarthings controller. As with all controllers software needs to be available to get the best functionality out of the device. Currently the choose of products within the Z-Wave range is fairly limited. Below are the items which are known to be compatible as published by Samsung on 3/6/16: Continue reading “Smarthings compatibility with Z-Wave devices”

Using X10 for lighting control

Update - Sept 2015: When we wrote this blog post a few years ago, X10 was still the simplest and cheapest way to control your home lighting. If you’re looking for a reliable entry-level control of home lighting, we recommend SmartWares for a basic single room control, or Z-Wave for multi-room/whole house control. However, X10 is still useful and has a place - plus is widely installed, so we’ve kept this article live for your benefit!

Using X10 for lighting control

X10 is a very simple way to add advanced automation to your home lighting.

There are numerous modules and products available to control different types of lighting, and the X10 system gives you the ability to control these lights via a computer, a remote control, another X10 module/sensor or a switch.

To get started, you need to understand how X10 works - with regards to the way it switches devices by encoding a signal into your home powerline. If you don’t know about that, please see our starter article here:
Using X10 for Home Automation

To add X10 control to your lights, you need to look at what type of lights you have and buy the appropriate modules.

For plug-in desk/table lamps & uplighters
With plug in lamps, you can control them with a plug-in lamp module!
We offer 2 varieties, the original X10 designed module and a 2nd generation module. The 2nd generation module offers better response to low X10 signals - so is ideal if you have a larger house or are having problems with your current X10 modules not always switching.

Links:
X10 Lamp module
X10 2G Lamp module

For ceiling lamps or wired-in lighting
For ceiling lamps, you have the choice of either changing the wall switch itself, using a hidden ‘micro module’ behind the existing switch, or using a wired-in lamp module.

For wall switches, you can use a dimming wall switch to give you dimming & X10 control of any connected lights.
See:
X10 2 button wall dimmer switch

Note: if you have a non-dimmable lamp, such as a standard energy saving bulb then you can’t use a dimmer switch.

To use a micro-module, or a wired in module, please see our range of modules here:
X10 lighting control - micro/inline modules

For a comparison table that explains what type of loads each module can switch, plus whether they can switch dimmable lamps or not, please see:
Marmitek X10 micro module compatibility

Of course, if you have any questions on X10 lighting control then please call us on 0845 094 0089 or drop us an email via the contact page.

What is Z-Wave Plus? (5th Generation)

Z-Wave Plus™ also known as 5th Generation is an improved standard for Z-Wave devices which brings improved performance and reliability to the user. Devices using Z-Wave plus technology are based on a new series of chip and are fully backwards compatible with other Z-Wave products. The benefits and features you can expect are as follows:

  • 50% improvement in battery life
  • 67% improvement in range
  • 250% more bandwidth
  • Three RF channels for improved noise immunity and higher bandwidth
  • New Plug-n-Play Network-wide Inclusion feature
  • Improved self-healing and fault tolerance with Explorer Frame feature
  • Standardized method for Over the Air firmware updates (OTA)
  • Improved product information capture for product certification database

DIY or Get A Professional

Merlin-Garage-RemoteThere have been numerous launches recently regarding smart home automation and a debate is rising about whether or not it is now possible to DIY or whether it’s necessary to have someone do it for you. The ideal scenario is coming home to a house that is ready for you. Your choice of music greets you at the door, a door whose security locks have just been disabled by you in the garage, whose doors opened automatically to allow your car in. The lights in the room have been dimmed and the food in the oven, which you turned on over an hour ago when you left the office, is smelling sumptuous!

Link Building

Of course you can control all of this by remote control, touch screen panels, smartphones and computers. To link them all together requires a bit of work, or you can get an installer in to do it, but this can be done by yourself if you are prepared to read up and research what is needed.

The DIY market has become easier over the past year with the improvements in wireless technologies, new product launches and a wealth of apps and smart phones geared towards the home automation industry. The new smart home systems are being designed to appeal to people with smaller homes and far more importantly, smaller budgets. This means that it initially won’t cost you a fortune to automate your home.

The success of the new family of gadgets on the market today is their simplicity of use. It really isn’t too hard to install a system that turns off lights and activates motion sensors at entry level. Then once the basics are conquered, as with anything else, more complex installations can be attempted.

On the Market

Take the X10 range for example: X10 home automation can be used to control basically any home electrical equipment from lighting to garage doors. And being a plug and play system, it doesn’t require any additional wiring to make it work, simply sending its control signals through the existing wires of the electrical system.

Russound 4 Source 4 Zone Multiroom Audio System
Russound 4 Source 4 Zone Multiroom Audio System

One area that is taking off is smart TVs. Smart TVs are internet enabled and can use your home broadband connection to access online entertainment, video clips etc., all operated from your remote control. Even better, check out new models from leading manufacturers that operate using your spoken command or the wave of a hand. Currently trending are surround sound systems: Russound http://www.uk-automation.co.uk/categories/Multi%252dRoom-Audio/Russound/ has an excellent range.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to take advantage of the innovations within the home automation market. You can however, listen to those who know. UK-Automation is one of the leading suppliers of multi-room audio and video (AV) solutions, energy saving devices, wireless sockets, lighting controls and home security systems, which are affordable and easy to install.