How To Include a Somfy Blind in a Home Automation System, the easy way.

See how easy it is to include a Somfy RTS blind into the Zipabox. Now you can fully automated your blinds and make them smart.

What do we mean by smart?

Have you blinds close automatically on a hot day to help keep the house cool, Have them open in the morning to let in natural light and awaken refreshed. When you start your movie scene, all your blinds can close and lights can turn off. What ever you can imagine, the Zipabox can help you achieve it.

Just ask us how at  www.liteautomation.com.au

What are In-wall Micro Modules? And what can they do?

People are constantly asking "What are these little fellows? And How do I use them?"

Quite simply, they are the switches that turn off/on the power to your device. Like a plugin socket, but instead wired in behind your switch, in the wall.
Installed by qualified electricians, these little fellows can turn your ordinary light switch or power socket, into a smart one. A single module can support one input/output, or shall we say a 1 gang light switch. A double can support two inputs/outputs. Thus a 3 gang switch would need one of each of these installed behind it.
Once connected to the power and your controller (Zipabox for us) your can program different settings to automatically turn it on/off, or just use your phone to do this, FROM MARS. Well maybe not Mars as you still need cell coverage.
Ever left your lights on in the shed or downstairs when you go to bed. No more climbing out of bed and navigating the dark, just grab your phone.
Speaking of navigating the dark, grab a Z-wave motion sensor, install in the hallway, and when next you go for a midnight walk your light can turn on automatically for you. And it's sooooo easy to do.

Just ask us how at www.liteautomation.com.au

What is home automation

Australians are asking,

What is home automation? How much should it cost? What devices work best? Where should I start?

All good questions. Lets try answering a few.

Home Automation is simply automating simple everyday tasks through the use of timers, schedules, or triggers. Such as turning on the front door light at dusk, or only when it is dark, or only when it is dark and motion is detected between the times of 7pm and 10pm. How about turning off all your lights when you go to bed automatically. Receive alerts on your phone when your front door or windows are opened. Turn off appliances you think you may have left on. Unlock or lock your front door from anywhere. All these scenarios and more are possible now, and for a fraction of the cost it was years ago.

Home Automation does need to be expensive. Gone are the days when you had to have your whole home rewired, had to have a specialist programmer to modify your system, had no control of your home from outside its WIFI range, had to stick to one provider and their limited devices. Now you can start small and simply add devices as your budget allows or your expertise increases. From as little as a few hundred dollars, you can add big value to your home or just improve your lifestyle and well-being. 

There are various devices operating in various protocols. The most popular and best solutions currently are Z-wave and Zigbee HA. Both these systems provide a mesh network. Similar to the design of a spiderweb you may say. Each connected device relays messages send from one device to another. This helps to make your overall system a much stronger and more reliable network. It also helps to extend the range of your devices past the maximum range of your control unit. Most people will try to stick to one protocol, as this will provide a stronger network, but sometimes other systems have better devices, so you may wish to mix and match. For example, while z-wave lights might make a stronger more stable lighting solution, you may want to use Enocean sensors. These sensors can operate without the need to ever replace batteries. Maybe you decide to use Osram Lightify LED's, a Zigbee platform, but use Z-wave modules for control of your powerpoints. This can provide a strong network for two communication methods, allowing you to use whichever platform provides the best devices for you needs.

For most people lighting is one of the most simple and effective tools to start with. It is easy to add a sensor light at your front door. No more running extra cables, just attach a battery operated sensor and a module to your light switch, then you can easy control when your front light turns on. Access control is another increasing demand of customers. Allow your phone to open your front door. Check if the door is locked when you are away, or set it to automatically lock after a given amount of time or time of day. Use RGBW bulbs to alert you of notifications, dangers, warnings, or just as mood settings. Use contact sensors on your windows and doors and get notified if they are opened. All simple installations, all beneficial in increasing your comfort and safety.

Come see us at www.liteautomation.com.au