Articles and whitepapers

Technology Aids Home Management (2/2/2004)

By David Hull

Imagine sitting in your hotel. Your mobile phone rings to tell you that there has just been a water leak in the kitchen and your intelligent home system has shut off the supply. There is no need to take immediate action, as you know that the system is safe, although you might wish to book a plumber to mend the problem. For many people, the benefit of an intelligent home system is its ability to take appropriate action to detected events or as part of its programmed response while the house is unoccupied. Shutting off the water supply in the event of a leak is just one small example.

The intelligent home uses different sensors to send information to a programmable central controller that responds as needed. Homeowners may find they gain the greatest benefits from the improved security and building management possible with such an integrated home control system. The key lies in the ability to easily program the system, and if this can be done remotely, all the better. Some systems, such as the Square D Intelligent Home Control (IHC) use modern web-based technology to allow remote interrogation and programming. Equally, any mobile phone can also be used to interrogate and alter the system's day-to-day operational parameters.

Simply fitting a burglar alarm is not an effective approach to security since the alarm's primary purpose is to sound after damage to the property has happened. A far more effective approach is to use an intelligent system that controls a number of lights throughout the house in order to simulate the presence of people.

Lighting combinations can be programmed into the controller to simulate the presence of people in the home

Depending on the system's programming capability, it is possible to change the pattern of lights. This enhances the illusion that the house is occupied, unlike a fixed pattern that can easily be unrealistic. Similarly curtains can be programmed to open and close, either at various times or in reaction to a low-light sensor, adding a further enhancement to the overall effect.

To improve effectiveness, the burglar alarm can be linked to the central controller so that a security breach causes all internal and external lights to be switched on in addition to alerting the police. A web or CCTV camera can even be activated to record visual evidence of the intrusion.

Burglar alarms can be linked to the central controller so a security breach causes all internal and external lights to be switched on in addition to alerting the police

Apart from burglaries, there are other security aspects that an intelligent home can mitigate. In the event of fire, an intelligent home system can use the signal from fire and smoke detectors to switch on lights in the hall and landings, thus providing an escape route for the occupants. Gas detectors can send a signal to the controller to activate a solenoid valve that automatically shuts off the gas supply. The same signal can be used to activate an alarm to alert the occupants of the potential danger. This can be coupled with a signal to turn off the power, and the homeowner can be sent an email and mobile phone message telling them that there has been a gas leak.

Similarly, by fitting water leak sensors, any leaks will be detected at an early stage, allowing a solenoid valve to switch off the water at the mains. This can have a great potential saving in, for example, homes with fitted appliances. The damage that could result from a leaking water connection to a fitted kitchen can easily cost in excess of £10,000.

An integrated intelligent home gives homeowners greater flexibility in managing their property and reducing costs. Lights can be triggered using passive infra red (PIR) detectors to switch on low-level lighting at night. This could guide occupants to either the toilet or kitchen as appropriate. Once the movement has ceased the lights are switched off to minimise costs.

By using Residual Current Devices (RCDs), the controller can detect electrical faults and cut the power to the problem area. By using the web as an interface, homeowners can easily access relevant information about their house. If the bathroom lights and heater have been left on inadvertently during a holiday for example, the web allows the homeowner to log on and switch them off. Some systems allow the homeowner to design their own web pages and include different levels of functionality. This makes the interface user-friendly and helps the homeowner gain the maximum benefits from the system. Simply by logging on to the house prior to returning home, the owner can change the heating from the low level needed to keep the premises frost-free, to a suitable level for the occupant's return.

By using the web as an interface, homeowners can easily access relevant information about their house

The growth in demand for intelligent home technology in the UK is likely to follow the more advanced home communications markets in Scandinavia and parts of mainland Europe. In Denmark for example, about 45% of new homes have some form of smart technology as standard.

Systems such as the Square D IHC are best fitted in new build houses and flats. This is because the system is completely different to standard wiring arrangements. Existing houses would need to be completely re-wired to gain the maximum benefits from IHC, and these costs are usually uneconomic. However, any property that requires a degree of rewiring can benefit from installing an IHC system.

From the builder's point of view, the cost of fitting an IHC system is approximately one per cent of the house cost. A qualified electrician should be able to install a system in a couple of days, and the system can be configured in minutes, depending upon the applications installed.

David Hull is the Residential Systems Business Development Manager for Square D - a supplier of electrical distribution, protection and intelligent control solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

www.schneider.co.uk