If you want your home become smart, many people don't know how to design and choose products. This article / video will explain what to consider and how to choose KinCony products before preparing to build a smart home.
1: Function
2: Reliability
3: Expansibility
4: Select products
1. function
a. What load needs to be controlled?
b. What software platforms need to be used?
c. Smart control your device in your home or outside of home?
a.Lighting, curtains, shutters, air conditioners, televisions, multimedia players, LED strip, cameras, security systems, environmental detector, valves, garage doors, etc.
Select the corresponding hardware products according to the equipment to be controlled.
b.mobile phone? computer? PAD? voice?
You can use kincony's own software or home assistant software.
c.Only need to be used at home? Or do you need remote control?
You can use kincony's own software or home assistant software.
2. reliability
a. Whether can pull new cable? If there is no way to pull the wire, only wireless products can be used. The core control system strongly recommends wired products, because the stability of wired solution is better than that of wireless solution.
b. It is suggested to use the solution of separation of controller + relay driving unit. Because of the separation design of High voltage circuit and low voltage circuit, it has good anti-interference, but takes up more space. However, if the relay is damaged in furture, it can be easily replaced by yourself.
c. For the core control system, we strongly recommend the wired solution. If use sensor products, we should also choose wired products as far as possible. Due to limited conditions, we can choose wireless products.
d. For the smart home system, we hope that there are manually controlled switches at the same time. Even if there is no Internet or LAN, your router is damaged and your controller is damaged, the manual switch should still be able to turn on / off those important devices, so as not to affect the daily work. This is a very important point! No system is guaranteed to be foolproof. Add the KC868-E16 or KC868-E8 can do this.
3. Expansibility
a. Selection of communication interface: Ethernet, WiFi, RS485, RS232, Bluetooth
It is recommended to use Ethernet and RS485 wired communication solution products with long distance
RS232 is about 12 meters
WiFi as the last option
b. What are the communication protocols: mqtt, HTTP, MODBUS, TCP private protocol
Mqtt, HTTP and TCP private protocol are ways to integrate hardware products into third-party platforms based on network way.
Modbus is a way to integrate hardware products into a third-party platform using RS485 bus
It is recommended to use Ethernet to connect all hardware devices to the home network, which is more flexible and convenient.
c. Firmware upgrade: according to different hardware products, firmware upgrade through network, RS232 and RS485, obtain the latest functions and fix some bugs.
4. Select products
a. Interface definition
b. Supported software
c. Shell
d. Match the available products of different models according to the load control mode
e. Automatic control solution
a. The core controller is distinguished according to the interface definition:
KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS: connect with wall switch button directly, support RS485 modbus, support remote control, MOSFET output, Ethernet and WiFi can work at the same time. MOSFET output need add extend relay module (KC868-E16 / KC868-E8) or DC contactor for loads.
KC868-HxB series: need add switch terminal board for wall switch panel, without RS485, with relay inside. Ethernet and WiFi can work at the same time.
KC868-A series: some models of MOSFET output, some models of relay output, Ethernet and WiFi can’t work at the same time, you can use ethernet or use WiFi. MOSFET output need add extend relay module (KC868-E16 / KC868-E8) or DC contactor for loads.
b. Supporting software:
KC868-Server/KC868-H32BS/KC868-HxB series:
1. KinCony Smart Home App (need internet)
2. KBOX App (without internet)
3. PC software (without internet)
4. Open communication protocol, provide software demo source code, but CPU program is not open source.
KC868-A series:
1.Support for open source firmware -- Tasmota
2.You can write programs using ESPHome tool
3.You can write programs using the Arduino ide
4.All hardware and software are open source
c. Shell
KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS / KC868-HxB series: industrial grade metal shell
KC868-A series: plastic shell
d. Match the available products of different models according to the load control mode
ON/OFF Switch type: such as light, curtain, shutter, valve, garage door
Products: KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS / KC868-HxB series / KC868-A series
38kHz infrared signal, 433MHz RF signal type: curtain, shutter, air conditioner, TV, multimedia player
Products: KC868-Server / KC868-AG / KC868-Uair / KC868-G
KC868-Server / KC868-AG / KC868-Uair : need write arduino IDE code or config in ESPHome to use.
KC868-G: only directly use by "KinCony Smart Home" app or integrate into third part software platform.
Dimming type: dimming bulb, RGBW LED strip
Products: KC868-Server / KC868-A series / KC868-D8
KC868-Server / KC868-A series : mainly support WS2812B LED strip
KC868-D8: 12V LED Driver or AC110V-380 SSR load driver (For SSR, if want install on DIN RAIL, just add the heat sink)
e. Automatic control solution
KC868-Server
Node-Red / home assistant installed on raspberry pi
Make logical or write code for any functions by yourself
Logical control by raspberry pi
KC868-COLB
Just use KC868-COLB’s software to config and set directly.
It’s easy to use, not complex logical conditions. Logical control by local CPU inside.
KC868-COLB can be integrate with KC868-Server
KC868-COLB is a input module , connect with all sensors, it can do IFTTT automatic command to control KC868-H32BS or KC868-H32B controller. KC868-Server also can make logical , it have 16 channel DI and 4 channel AI and some GPIOs for DIY, if not enough input ports for use, then you can integrate KC868-COLB to KC868-Server by MQTT, so that will add 16 channel DI + 16 channel AI +5 channel temperature sensors.