Is there a little box that I could buy which would have an Ethernet port (and IP) that I could attach to my home network and would allow me to use my computer to monitor the status of the mains voltages circuits (of my central heating system)?
Most of the "smart" UPSes can monitor mains voltage, and have the added benefit of keeping your PC going even when it reaches zero volts :-)
One of the better APC SmartUPS boxes will do what you want. The cheaper ones have USB rather than Ethernet (although many come with software to allow the control and status information to be passed over a LAN as well).
I think that the original poster wanted something that would monitor voltages in his heating system which a simple UPS won't do all that well..
Have a look at
they do devices similar like COM port to IP converters could have sworn that I saw something like this around a while ago also look at
they do some sort of remote data stuff....and
Depends how far you want to go, but you could try these guys:-
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If voltage is what he is interested in, then they actually keep detailed logs... he may also find it cheaper than dedicated lan aware A to D kit.
At that sort of level you could even go as far as embedded PC solutions with a PCI A to D card...!
As you say, it depends on how much you want to pay.
You are sticking your toe into very deep water ... Google for "home automation" and you'll find more "little boxes" than you could probably ever wish for.
X10 is another relevant search term.
Cheers, Daniel.
I thought X10 did controlling rather than monitoring?
It does. This is just an easy way to locate home automation references.
Well he did say voltages within his heating system, so that implies more than one voltage and not necessarily just the supply voltage
Yes those are the sort of thing that I am looking for :-)
I am planing to provide a zone valve control box for my replacement C/H boiler. Looks like it will be worth extending my home cat 5e cabling as part of the job.
:-( I bought a Linksys 'slug' for my Topfield PVR for £57. Amazing what you can get for your money nowadays - Even from Cisco who have a car park full of Porches.
Not so much any more, they don't ;-)
Their Tasman Drive office car park (San Jose) went very distinctly empty after the dot com bust, and I've not noticed it full ever since, although it's probably just over a year since I last went past.
Most people who had stock options in 7 and 8 figures left and/or cashed in their chips long before the dotcom bust. Those who joined near or at the peak have options that are underwater (i.e. option price > market trading price so no point in exercising). A few unfortunates exercised at the peak, didn't make provision for CGT and were unable to pay the tax when the stock fell.
You might have heard the expressions B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer). This was B2R. (back to reality).
Its much easier to just use some timer/thermostat units in the places you want to control, end switches on the zone valves and wire OR them to boiler on. Use a 12v relay for boiler on if it needs mains and you can wire it all the rest yourself, legally.
Yes, but not half as interesting.
You can wire it all legally anyway, mains or no mains.
From
NETIOM Input/Output Module NETIOM is a stand-alone, network aware input/output card which can be controlled over most networks including an 'always on' Internet connection. It can act as an HTTP server with up to 32K of webspace, generate e-mails in resonse to specific events and act as a client to a remote server. An ideal product to integrate into home automation, local/remote process control, environmental control, security monitoring and machine monitoring and control.
16 Digital (TTL/CMOS/Dry contacts) and 4 analogue (10bit resolution, max. 5 volts) inputs 16 Digital outputs (open collector 50V dc The outputs can be connected via headers to either the LED module (provides indication of outout on 8 LEDs) or the Relay module (provides 8x SPCO relays)RJ45 connection to network (10MIPS)
9 Way male D Serial port (2400 to 38400 baud - handshaking not supported) (Null modem cable required for programming)Watchdog mode allows NETIOM to monitor network connections and operate outputs when failure is detected
Automatic detection of IP address (DHCP)
Web space can be password protected
All inputs/outputs via screw connectors Contents: Card, driver and user guide software
HTH!
That looks like a very useful piece of kit. Anyone ever used one and can tell us how they got on with it before I order one;-)
TIA--------
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