PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
(OP)
Like the previous poster asked...I've often thought about buying a PLC just to learn the basics of programming, there is nothing like hands-on.
And there is also nothing like having a goal in mind. I often thought about monitoring my fence so that I know if somebody opens it...and then kick on a camera,...put a power monitor on my service... .
Any other ideas? The place I work has Allen Bradley everything.
And there is also nothing like having a goal in mind. I often thought about monitoring my fence so that I know if somebody opens it...and then kick on a camera,...put a power monitor on my service... .
Any other ideas? The place I work has Allen Bradley everything.





RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
If you need a PLC system you could try some compact PLC(like S7-200 from Siemens,CP1 from Omron,MicroLogix from Allen Bradley) but the price could be 1000 euro with HMI.
The cheapest way is to try a programmable logic relay like Logo from Siemens,Pico from Allen Bradley,Easy from Moeller-Eaton...The price is about 100-200 Euros.
Best regard!
Venix
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
David Castor
www.cvoes.com
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
Maybe look at googling "Home Automation".
I know at the high end Siemens has a lot of these products (http:/
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
I don't think it would be a viable project if you had to pay full price for everything, but between Ebay and some industrial surplus houses you might find enough to put something together to learn with and provide something you can really use.
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
My latest acquisition is a new Siemens S7-1200 micro PLC with a small touch panel (Siemens is promoting these heavily right now, look for workshops where you can get a PLC + HMI for around $300). I plan to use it to control an old VFD I have running my water feature (fountain / pond). My plan is to rig it with a hidden prox sensor so as people get closer, the speed increases and if they get too close, it randomizes to the point of possibly getting them wet!
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RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
The book details how to automate using a PLC with Visual Basic. I would think VB would have a lot more opprotunity to make the home automation user friendly instead of using ladder logic to interface with it.
"As a home monitor the PLC will monitor the following digital inputs: front doorbell pushbutton, rear doorbell pushbutton, front door open sensor, rear door open sensor, first floor HVAC system on, second floor HVAC system on, water pump on, and mail box open sensor. In addition to the discrete digital inputs, five temperatures will be monitored (outside air, crawlspace, first floor, second floor and Great Room) and water pressure of the water pump will be monitored. Two PLC outputs will be used to drive a horn and turn on a blower fan under the control of the Visual Basic program."
h
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
I bought one for a project at work, it was extremely cheap (as PLCs go) and it was a cinch to program. I downloaded the *free* programming software and had my program written in just a few hours. It was simple. :)
The software is great, I'd say it's better than anything from Rockwell. Or GE, or Siemens...
And a few weeks ago, I received a registered letter from AutomationDirect informing me of some serious programming errors in the Click software and that I needed to download the newest version and reload my software using it.
I've rarely been notified before about a software/firmware problem let alone getting notified via registered letter!
Usually the only time I'm made aware of a problem is when I have to escort the factory reps to do some "midnight upgrades". :)
And who else has a PLC for 69 bucks?
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
Interesting approach; wonder which seminar it was you took? There seem to be as many S7 ones as there are competing PLC's.
I've starting in on finding a PLC to sequence/control a backup power system in a house -- about 10 inputs and 10 outputs. (The last time I even looked at the field, they were built with TTL, so it's been a while.)
It would be nice if the system would let me remote several of those at the far end of an Ethernet connection.
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
Bob
www.deltaautomation.com
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
My Dad ran into the same situation with a solar house controller he built in the mid-1980's. The solar mechanics were copied from a colleague's house. The colleague made his own 'embedded' solid state controller, basically thermocouple inputs, TTL timers, real time clock and outputs all laid out on a printed circuit card. He had a learning curve when lightning took out board after board.
My Dad did his controller in discrete relay logic, a few timers and some then-current HVAC components (a time-of-day/day-of-week set-back thermostat, a couple capillary bulb thermostats, electric actuators).
The colleague died, his estate went to sell the house and could not get a nibble with its unique, one-of-a-kind heating controls. The estate eventually hired my Dad to replace the original embedded system with a replication of his discrete HVAC/relay logic controls.
No local heating/AC firm would touch the embedded system. A couple have since done work on the replacement discrete relay logic.
RE: PLC for use on a house? How could you use it?
No way the average HVAC, burglar alarm, lawn sprinker techs or the average electrician would have any idea on anything like this. It's great when you have it for yourself, but it takes a real interest in these systems to have them in a home. Unless you can afford to pay someone like us to maintain it! LOL! Maybe Madonna needs a system.....
Bob
www.deltaautomation.com