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Gadget Gurus

Friday
Mar 19th
Home arrow Home Improvement arrow Z-Wave Home Automation by Intermatic
Z-Wave Home Automation by Intermatic Print E-mail
Written by Rich McComas   
intermatic-ha101k-tn.jpgThe holy grail for most tech enthusiasts is home automation, the ability to control one's environment from anywhere in the home seamlessly and easily.  The promise of this technology lies in the Z-wave communications standard adopted by more than 100 companies, including Intermatic, who makes the Home Settings lines of home automation products.

ltbluebg-zwave.gif Z-wave is a open communications standard which uses mesh technology to extend the communications range between devices, meaning that Z-wave devices also act as repeaters, extending the normal 50 foot range of these devices to an entire home or building.  Also, the programs stored on one device can be accessed from other devices in the mesh network.

Unlike previous generation home automation products such as X10 and UPB, Z-wave devices communcate wirelessly and bi-directionally, allowing the modules to be programmed and sychronized remotely.  In our test environment, we wanted to set a "TV Scene" in the living room where the lights next to the couch dimmed, and those would reflect into the TV turned off completely.  To achieve this, we completed the following steps:

  1. Plug in the outlet and socket modules that control the lights
  2. Press the INCLUDE button on the controller within 6 feet of each new module, and then turn the light on with the module button (this process includes the module in the mesh network and now any remote can control it).
  3. Press and hold the control button(s) that you want to use to set the scene (a scene can be just one device or several).  Then press and hold INCLUDE and while holding the INCLUDE button down, turn the light on or off or set a dim level at the module controller.
  4. Add additional modules to the same button
  5. Add the same modules to other buttons.

intermatic-ha102m.jpgOnce the scene is programmed, you can press ON or OFF to instantly turn the scene on or off, or you can hold ON to slowly increase the brightness of all lights in the scene, or hold OFF to slowly dim them.   Also, once a "scene" is programmed on one controller, the entire scene can be accessed from another controller via the mesh network.

In less than 30 minutes after opening the packages, the first step in our home automation dream was realized, intelligent lighting control in the living room.  We liked what we saw, but it just wet our appetite for more.  Stay tuned for more articles on Zwave technology for the home.

 
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TECH2 LAKE HOUSE

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UPDATE - The exterior of the Technology Lake House is complete and we are now working on interior finishing and electronics.  Last year, San Francisco's Channel 7 ABC News ran a special video report on the construction progress of the Technology Lake House, and we expect them back for a follow-up soon.  Click HERE for a DLINK Live Video Feed with pan and zoom features (userid=user, no password, daylight hours only). 

Ron Rosberg's current project home, the Technology Lake House, is currently under construction on the shores of Clearlake in Northern California.  Even though the house is a wireless demo house, we have installed more than seven miles of wires in the walls for dozens of flat panel TVs, speakers, control panels, and sophisticated lighting. So far, more than a dozen technology and fixture manufacturers have agreed to sponsor this project, which has been simmering in Ron's head since he attended the first CES show in New York in 1967.  The 7,500 square foot project (plus three existing rustic cabin guest houses) is being built on a five-acre Honeymoon Cove resort with 500 feet of beach directly across from Konocti Harbor Resort.  This summer retreat will host  technology gatherings annually, inviting Western states home builders, contractors, and technology consultants for a live open house showcasing the latest in home technologies.  There is room to park plenty of boats, so plan on coming up for some lake fun after the project is complete.  For more info, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 707-995-2683.  To see the latest photos, visit Ron's Flickr gallery.

We are currently looking for products to evaluate in these areas:

  • Home automation: lighting, security, and entertainment
  • A/V technology for the 500 SF home theater media demo room
Hot News on Cool New Features: The ENTIRE front of the home is made of 21 sliding NanaWall glass panels that fold into the walls, opening the entire home up to the lake during demo days.

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