Control lights in your house with your computer

Have you ever wanted to control the lights in your house from your computer? It's actually fairly affordable to do so. You can even control sprinkler systems, automatic window blinds, motorized projection screens, etc. You need two pieces of hardware to get started. A controller, which connects to your computer; and a dimmer switch. I'm using SmartHome Insteon products in this example.

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Step 1: Install the switch

Follow the instructions provided on how to install the switch. The switch I'm using is Insteon brand, but there are other types of remote controllable switches such as X10. These switches require the neutral line to send signals (commands) over. If your switch box doesn't have a neutral, you're in trouble. Try contacting an electrician to see what you can do.

sweir says: Dec 3, 2011. 6:19 AM

can i get it free

214

Computothought says: Jul 23, 2011. 3:16 PM

Linux users may want to check this out:
http://www.linuxha.com/common/iplcd/

MajesticNarwhal says: Jan 2, 2011. 11:24 AM

Is the PLC you are using programmable with Rockwell Software Logic 2000?

jaxxster1 says: Aug 7, 2009. 7:58 AM

can i get those for free?

halsir (author) in reply to jaxxster1Aug 7, 2009. 3:04 PM

Get what for free?

jaxxster1 in reply to halsirSep 13, 2009. 6:59 PM

the parts?

MajesticNarwhal in reply to jaxxster1Jan 2, 2011. 11:22 AM

HAHAHA! get a PLC for free? Braski if it was possible to get one of those mothers for free my entire house would be marquee lighting lol.

Bladtman242 says: Jul 25, 2010. 4:26 AM

out of curiosity, how did you install the socket server on mac? in a VM or? oh and, is there any chance you wil release the code for your python script?:) Great project btw.

zombiefire says: Apr 4, 2010. 7:51 AM

so am i

zeaps says: Apr 3, 2010. 8:35 PM

So let's say my dad and I decide to do this, could we both control the same system from both of our computers? Possibly at the same time?

halsir (author) in reply to zeapsApr 4, 2010. 4:56 AM

You can control from multiple locations/controllers. As long as the commands are sent approximately one second apart it should work as far as I know. The switch devices are just sitting on the line waiting for commands. They don't care where the commands come from. I haven't messed with this in a while so I am not sure if they have made any improvements recently.

kcanek says: Dec 10, 2009. 12:56 PM

how much money do i need to complite it?

halsir (author) in reply to kcanekDec 12, 2009. 4:43 PM

I think it will run around $90 to $200 depending on how many switches you want.

crampedyogapositions says: Apr 27, 2009. 4:44 PM

if you go with the infared controll idea its possible to redo your house to work of a Wii remmote....hmm...sounds like a good idea. im guessiig that the main problem would be to make the remote stilll compatable with the Wii. it be weird if your playing and suddendly the power cuts off

mr bkilled in reply to crampedyogapositionsNov 9, 2009. 6:26 PM

A better idea might be to use the bluetooth connection of a Wiimote with a pc, that way you avoid issues with line of sight the comes with using infrared. The only problem I see with this is that if you wanted to switch back and forth between using the Wiimote with your pc and the Wii you would have to manually sync it each time with either system.

andrew101 says: Jul 4, 2009. 7:46 AM

im off to wire my house XDXD

neardood says: Jun 30, 2009. 2:43 AM

I made an electronics kit that runs of 12V and plugs into the printer port on a computer. It has 8 heavy duty relay switches on it. Using some slightly dodgy but none the less sound software I can control the relays to turn on and off. I am still thinking up practical applications for it. My main/gaming PC's motherboard does not have a printer port so I can't ue it with that but i do have a dodgy laptop that i can use. Anyone got any ideas?

zer0_ says: Apr 21, 2009. 3:43 PM

would be cooler with a arduino and a Ethernet Shield

redstarsrbija in reply to zer0_Jun 25, 2009. 2:01 PM

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING!!! lol but since i don't even have an arduino yet it'll probably take me a couple months to get it going haha

dagenius says: Apr 22, 2009. 5:48 PM

nice--I always wanted to 'transistorize' my house, and now, thanks to this instructable, I may be able to.

BlackHatCracker says: Apr 13, 2009. 10:43 PM

I have to laugh when someone points out their dust balls... So far so good... I am liking what I am seeing...

plane phanatic says: Feb 25, 2009. 5:57 PM

Nice Instructable! So if I were to do this, all that I need is the switch and controller?

halsir (author) in reply to plane phanaticFeb 25, 2009. 7:20 PM

Yes, pretty much. That's all you need for the basic setup. I wish I had the USB controller now because I don't have a PC with a serial port.

micromuffin says: Dec 30, 2008. 1:29 PM

lol

inkwash says: Dec 30, 2008. 9:36 AM

maybe you should try a more DIY approach...i have this for you guys...

maxpower49 says: May 20, 2008. 3:44 PM

celling fan of dooooooooooommmmm this is a great project if only it was a little cheaper

inkwash in reply to maxpower49Dec 30, 2008. 9:28 AM

hey checkout the new $10 smart home

itisnot_me says: Jan 27, 2008. 11:48 PM

this is cool and you know something like
this
would be cool to add it as well. i would love to control everything via voice

PureBreed in reply to itisnot_meJul 15, 2008. 2:54 PM

lol, u could do that if u had this and Vista's Speech Recognition software, xD

PureBreed says: Jul 15, 2008. 10:48 AM

So, can i have a list of parts and wat there average prices are?

halsir (author) in reply to PureBreedJul 15, 2008. 12:27 PM

SmartHome light control products

Here is a link to their products. You could try a starter kit, or just try out the PLC controller + dimmer by itself to see if you like it.

PureBreed in reply to halsirJul 15, 2008. 2:52 PM

heres wat im looking for, the cheapest thing i can find that lets me control a power outlet with my PC. Do they have that sort of thing? im looking at there inventory, and i see things that look like they could be it, but i dont know wat all this stuff means, like X10, or ASCII or w/e, so i dont know if they are wat im looking for or not. if u need to know wat kind of computer i have or w/e, just ask.

PureBreed in reply to PureBreedJul 15, 2008. 10:51 AM

me and my dad are thinking about trying this, but i want to get a good estimate on how much we're going to spend.

HardCoreHacker says: Jul 12, 2008. 10:46 AM

That light is so cool!! lol

nf_x20 says: Feb 16, 2008. 12:30 PM

halsir, i really like the idea, but i was wondering if you could explain it a bit better, maybe a few more pictures please thank you... im really looking forward to having this thing in my house one more question, so the computer controls the light switches by running "messages" through the electrical wiring already in your house?

halsir (author) in reply to nf_x20Feb 16, 2008. 6:17 PM

I can try to explain it better. If you have any specific questions feel free to message me. Basically, you need a PC with the free software installed to program the PLC (PLC = programmable unit that plugs in your wall to control the switches in the house). Then you can schedule events on the PLC from the software program. Or, you can do what I did in the video and host a "socket server" on the computer and then connect wirelessly from your laptop if you wanted to do that.

Namingishard says: Dec 14, 2007. 5:15 AM

Can you add more then one and control each one from the same computer.
And can you upload the Python script? =)

halsir (author) in reply to NamingishardDec 14, 2007. 6:08 AM

yeah, you can have as many as you want around your house and you could control all of them from the same computer. i can upload the python script...

statiktv says: Oct 9, 2007. 10:21 AM

thats definitely awesome. a little on the pricey side for just one switch, if it was more affordable, i'd be all over it. im a cheapass, heh.