Smart controllers, without which it is unable to collect the smart house

What is the controller, and why you need it

Controller - is the brain smart house. It allows you to add, remove and configure all home network devices.

Suppose you have installed motion sensors in an apartment, bought a smart curtains and kettle. Without the controller, they can not work together. Firstly, none of these devices is no display, or the module Wi-Fi - add it to the network will not work. Secondly, you can not specify a script of their use: for example, to make the morning a motion sensor to react to your awakening, followed automatically open the curtains and turn on the kettle.

The controller has full control your smart home. Information on all devices flock to it, which facilitates you to task. Instead of "communicate" with each individual sensor or device, you can do it through tied to the controller application.

What are the controllers

The spread is very wide: from industrial devices, install and configure that can only specialists to compact boxes with friendly and intuitive interface. The first useful on large and difficult to design objects, such as at work or in a country house. Second would be enough for an ordinary apartment.

The main criterion when selecting a controller - a wireless communication protocol, according to which it operates. Wi-Fi for this purpose, as a rule, is not suitable. The module is too energy costs - instruments and sensors can not with him a long time to work off-line, they have to constantly recharge. Besides, the technology is quite expensive, and its use would increase the cost of the devices. Also, Wi-Fi may be a problem with the security and stability of the coating.

So the controllers are the most common protocols Z-Wave and ZigBee. The principle of operation they have similar: in both cellular network scheme, when each device is a smart home becomes a kind of transmitter. This increases the coverage area and makes stable network. If any element fails, it features data transfer simply redistributed among the others. Since teams are not a strictly defined route, the lower the risk that they do not reach the addressee.

• Z-Wave - closed technology. Supporting its devices are very strictly selected and licensed. With it, you can be absolutely sure that if you buy, for example, a light bulb and the light sensor from different manufacturers, then they will be compatible. But there is one negative point. In Russia, Z-Wave is clocked at 869 MHz, and in the other countries in its network frequency. This means that if you buy a smart device that is designed to work in another country, here it will not function. So it is necessary to pre-verify that your device is certified for the Russian Federation.
• ZigBee - an open protocol, ie it can be used by anyone and in different variations. This led to the fact that different manufacturers of smart devices began to create its ZigBee-network, does not intersect with other people. For example, the smart home from IKEA, Xiaomi and Philips use the same protocol, but are incompatible with each other. Furthermore, ZigBee is loaded to the maximum working frequency of 2.4 GHz, and it can lead to numerous interference in the communication between the devices.

The controllers can be operated with one of the protocols, and the best of them - to combine several. For example, you buy a device controller and a smart home that you need. It is desirable that they were working on one protocol (as in the case of ZigBee, and more were from the same manufacturer). The controller are connecting with your smartphone via Wi-Fi, and then in the annex attached to the network, all your smart devices - with the controller they will work under a separate protocol. And then you have to create the desired scenario.

On which controllers should pay attention

Fibaro Home Center 2

Home Center 2 is perhaps the main Z-Wave-controller. The reasons are many: it can work with «Google Assistant"; through plug-ins can add support for devices that were absent in the list by default; friendly PC interface.

And a lot of minuses. First, at the Home Center 2 is no Wi-Fi, so you have to use the internet cable. Second, all of the network devices need to connect (and reconnect) bringing directly to the controller. If you have spent a lot of effort, establishing a sensor inaccessible in the far corner, and he suddenly broke down, you will have to dismantle it and carry to the controller to activate again. The third drawback - uncomfortable app for your smartphone. The work will have to lead mainly through the PC. And all this at a fairly high price.

Price: 37 170 rubles.

Buy

RaZberry

RaZberry controller cheaper (about 12-15 thousand), and this money is a small device definitely worth it. Although it will have to put up with a limited set of functions. Interface in RaZberry easier, and the creation of many scenarios can be difficult. You will be able to build circuits and control devices from your computer or smartphone, except that this would be difficult and will have to do without the voice assistant like «Google Assistant". But by default supports RaZberry Apple HomeKit, While the Home Center 2 to work with it will require additional bridge units.

Price: 13 320 rubles.

Buy

VeraPlus

This gadget, besides the Z-Wave, supports other protocols, including ZigBee. Worth almost like RaZberry, and the functionality is about the same as that of Home Center 2. Differences in not the simplest interface. A handy application for smart phones.

Price: 15 960 rubles.

Buy

Athom Homey

The main controller in the world at the moment. Supports «Google Assistant" Siri, Alexa, and if you really try, you can even tie "Alice". It works with a large number of protocols, including Z-Wave and ZigBee. Connects to the smartphone for Wi-Fi, is quite pleasant and easy to use interface, plenty of available plug-ins and scripts ready. Apple HomeKit devices with it will work too. The only negative - the high price.

Price: 24 500 rubles.

Buy