Raspberry Pi With 4 Relay Module ( for Home Automation )

by kasadawa

53K22036

Intro: Raspberry Pi With 4 Relay Module ( for Home Automation )

Firstly we will connect the raspberry and the 4 array module and test it locally. The next step is to make a web app that will control our module . We will make it with apache server , php , javascript , jquery , bootstrap , bootstrap- switch buttons and some python . Everything is explained with a comments when you open the file , you also can see the documentation in github. The files are uploaded here and can be also find in github .

STEP 1: What You Need

We need :

  1. Raspberry Pi
  2. 4 Array Relay Module
  3. 6 Wires
  4. Wifi Dongle
  5. Filezilla (optional)
  6. SHH (optional)

STEP 2: Wiring

We need to connect our Raspberry and the module .We will get the 5V from the Raspberry (not very recommended but its easy ) .So lets begin :

PI GPIO | Relay module

Pin 4 ---------VCC

Pin 6 ---------GND

Pin 8 ----------IN4

Pin 10 ---------IN3

Pin 11 ---------IN2

Pin 12 ---------IN1

STEP 3: Testing

Now we need to start the raspberry and to connect to the power supply and connect to it over FTP with Filezilla or start it on monitor . Next download and put the test_relay.py file in the main dir (home/pi).Then start the python script by typing :

sudo python test_relay.py

If leds start flashing from IN1 to IN4 and shutdown from IN4 to IN1 then everything is okey and the wiring is like currect .We can move to the next step .

Explanation

The relay boards are powered by 5v and the relays are triggered by taking the input pin to ground. Since the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins output 3.3v I used a set of transistors to take the relay pins to ground.

So when you are setting the GPIO output value:

1) 0 the relay starts ;

2) 1 the relay stops .

STEP 4: Installing Apache and Php

We will need them for the server part .Helpfull link.

To install apache2 we need to run : 

sudo apt-get install apache2 -y

To test the web server we can you on the raspberry browser:

http://localhost/

It's also an option to use the Pi local ip address (Get the ip: hostname -I ): 

http://192.168.1.10

Next install PHP module for APACHE :

sudo apt-get install php libapache2-mod-php

Clone the repo: 

git clone https://github.com/kasadawa/PiRelay.git

Place the files into the apache root dir (ex: /var/www/html ):

sudo cp -r ~/PiRelay/var /

Type your Pi IP address : 

http://YourPaspberryIp/index.html

STEP 5: Uploading the Needed Files for Your Web App

You need to download the .rar file , extract it and copy the files with Filezilla to the main dir of Raspberry home/pi and to the var/www. For pasting the files into var/www you need to set a permision .

at var/www<br>bootstrap.css<br>bootstrap-switch.css<br>bootstrap-switch.js<br>changeState.php<br>firstCheck.php<br>index.html<br>jquery.js
at home/pi
firstCheck.py
relay_off.py
relay_on.py

When you are done coping the files , just go to your browser , type RaspberryIP/index.html (ex: 192.168.1.23/index.html) and the webpage will be opened .And also you can test it and remotely control the relays from any device that is connected to your local network(router) .

STEP 6: How It Works

I will explain it shortly. If you want to get to more details you can see the project in github.

When we click on the button , the ajax request has been called and the php file from it is called . From the php we execute a python script file with some params . The python script return us json converted array , which we pass to the php and the php passes it to html file .We can go only in the one way but if we want to reload the page we need in what position the relays are . The other point is if we dont do it that way there is no feedback and we cant see what is happening .

Please share and write a comment bellow if it was usefull .

If you like my tutorial please donate.

To the next time .

28 Comments

ZiedB10 3 years ago

hi, i have the same issue :( did u find a solution?

saurav mahato 3 years ago

Shouldi set any other value for relay on and off as input 0 and 1.
Or u have already used in your relay_off.py

saurav mahato 3 years ago

Hello
I download your PiRelay.zip file ad successfully transferred while on location where u guide even i have change the permission while copied files.

But when i opened the file relay_off.py on my Thonny Python IDE app and try to run it appears errors on line 15. Please checl the picture below
And help me fix it

Mats79 4 years ago

To get the webserver working you need to enable sudo for Apache. Add these:

nano /etc/sudoers.d/010_apache2-nopasswd
User_Alias APACHE = www-data
Cmnd_Alias FIREWALL = /usr/bin/python

APACHE ALL = (ALL) NOPASSWD: FIREWALL

ledezma_gomez 5 years ago

very good project, just a clarification, in my case I had to change exec per system since it did not work more than that way, would it be interesting to create instead of a json, an xml?

ArvinG7 5 years ago

Hi,

Can you help me with this "sudo apt-get install php5 libapache2-mod-php5 -y"

it says "Package 'php5' has no installation candidate

"Package 'libapache2-mod-php5' has no installation candidate

help me with this error tq

TiếnN27 6 years ago

Hello!
Can you help me?
I can not install "sudo apt-get install php5 libapache2-mod-php5 -y" on Raspberry Pi 2 run os "2017-09-07-raspbian-stretch".
I replaced "sudo apt-get install php" then PHP 7.0 @@.
After, i run file .py on php but exec not working.
Please help me!

MSargent99 6 years ago

I too have tried this and have the same problem as many others.

I went into the php and python code and put debug statements between practically every line until I found the problem (I think ???). However, I have not been able to work out a solution.

The problem seems to center on the line in all the Python scripts:

GPIO.setup(pinNum,GPIO.OUT)

When this line is encountered in any of the three Python scripts, execution stops. Or at least output to my log files stops.

I have also included the pinNum in the output of my debug and it is getting the correct pin number (14, 15, 17, 18).

Of note, if I run the Python script directly it works fine - for example, if I go to the /var/www/html directory where the php code is and I enter the same command line with the path where I put the python scripts all three run as expected. However, when the python is called from the php code - not. I still get the expected output in my debug file - just all stops when it hits the GPIO.setup... line shown above.

Any ideas?

This looks like a great project and perfect for some of my home automation projects.

Now if I can just get it to work .)

Mike

MSargent99 6 years ago

Success!

Finally found a solution. Not the best (nor secure) by far, but it is working for now.

The solution I found that worked was in this post:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/27864804/raspb...

Basically involved changing how php called the py code - using the php shellexec and entering the www-data entry into the /etc/sudoers file. I undid the chmod +s and file ownership back to the original settings on the python modules. And it still works so now to move on and do my project - randomly turning lights on and off in the house from the office when I am working mid-night shifts and the wife is home alone sleeping ;}

kostasp27 7 years ago

Hey there, I followed everything step by step but when I go to my website and press the buttons nothing happens. Relay works perfectly with the test_relay program. Any solution? :D

CarlosM175 7 years ago

no way to access the RPI by smartphone via network 4g starting work?

BAC6 7 years ago

Yes you can by setting port forwarding in your home router (googling port forward for more details)

CarlosM175 7 years ago

existe forma de aceder ao rpi por smartphone via rede 4g apartir do trabalho?

mathias2803 7 years ago

Hey, it is running now. I have changed the power supply from 5V to 3,3 V so that the output of the GPIO and the power supply have the same voltage. Then it is running.

I will check now what circuit would be a good to add in advance to make it save running.

Any advice? Thanks a lot, Mathias

kasadawa 7 years ago

When you run the test_relay.py , what do you see on your console ? Does the program prints "Pin x is working" ?

mathias2803 7 years ago

Yes, I get this message through all the pins, but they are not switched on and off correct.

Turned on at initilisation (GPIO.setup(pins, GPIO.OUT))
and turned off at the end (GPIO.cleanup())

It looks like a driver problem. Maybe I have to install something before or have to do some one time settings in any config file.

As I told you I have another Raspberry and on this one (Raspberry 2) all is working fine. But on the new one (Raspberry 3) it is suddenly not running any more.

Any ideas from anybody? Thanks a lot to all the ideas and hints to try.

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