Home Automation

79 readers

2 users here now

Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

Warning: Working with electricity can result in injury, property damage, or even death if it is not done properly. Please keep this in mind while assisting others. If you are not sure about what you are doing, hire a licensed professional.

Rules

No abusive behaviour. This is a forum for friendly discussion; personal attacks will not be tolerated and you will be banned without warning.
Referral/affiliate links are NOT ALLOWED!
NO POLITICS! There are plenty of other communities to discuss them; this is not one.
When posting project details must be included. Posting a video or image without detail will result in a removed post and may result in a ban.
Crowdfunding links are not allowed.
Reposts, low-effort content and karma farming may be removed at the discretion of the mods. Posters may be banned without warning.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

communick@selfhosted.forum

Automating based on light-switch controlled outlet? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by aquashrub@alien.top to c/homeautomation@selfhosted.forum

2 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've got an outlet that's controlled by a light-switch. I've currently got a lamp plugged into it, but I'd like to be able to control some lights fairly far away from it, and smart bulbs seemed like a neat way to do that.

Is there something I can plug into the outlet to monitor whether it's on or not, and then turn the lights on or off based on that? I'm having a hard time figuring out how to Google that.

top 2 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] TheJessicator@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Steer clear of smart bulbs if you can and rather use smart switches. For light plugged into a non-switched outlet, use a smart plug in module.

I have a smartthings hub with Inovelli Blue 2-in-1 dimmer / switches and Jasco plug in dimmer modules. I have my bedroom floor lamp plugged into a switch, while my bedside lamps are plugged into dimmer plug in modules. When I press the on switch once, I turns on just the floor lamp. Press the on switch twice, it turns on all the lights in the room, all to my preferred evening dim level. Press the same on switch 4 times opens the zigbee window blinds in that room. The options are pretty much limitless, and really only limited to your imagination. Oh, and I have Echo Dot devices in each room to facilitate voice commands.

[–] ferbulous@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Smart plug seems to be the obvious choice but it’s pretty useless if the light switch is turned off. Installing a relay like sonoff mini is probably the better option.