Home Automation - Which monitor/log/notify hardware and software?
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ibroussard
06-16-09, 10:57 AM
Here's what I'm trying to do...
I have a standby genset for my home. It is located about 150 feet away (next to my "shop") so I can't hear it when it runs. I want to monitor genset starts/stops and utility company power present/failure. Detecting the above is easy, and I already have that capability via a couple of power taps off the genset and utility company line in the genset's automatic transfer switch. When the genset is running, I have a relay coil that is energized. When utility company power is available, I have another relay coil that is energized. The relays are independent of each other.
Note also that the genset goes thru an exercise cycle weekly on the same day of the week at the same time. During this exercise cycle, the relay coil monitoring the genset is energized.
Here is what I want to do in some example scenarios...
1. I want to trigger an alarm/notification if the genset doesn't complete its weekly exercise cycle, i.e., it doesn't start at approximately the normal time and/or doesn't run for at least most the normal exercise cycle time (about fifteen minutes).
2. I want to trigger an alarm/notification if I lose utility company power for more than fifteen seconds, which is the amount of time the genset waits for power to be out before it starts up.
3. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the genset starts as a result of a power outage, i.e., not when it starts its exercise cycle.
4. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the utility company power comes back on after an outage of at least 15 seconds.
5. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the genset shuts down as a result of utility company power being restored, i.e., not when it finishes its exercise cycle.
I also want to log the states on a frequent basis (every second or two) so I can graph the states over a period of time. Even better would be a realtime chart recording capability with history function.
The software must be Windows Vista (32) compatible. It will run on a semi-dedicated PC. I have an ethernet connection near the location of the relays, but I need some type of hardware that can make the relay contact states (open/closed) available on the network.
I'm okay with having to write scripts, programs, etc. to do the more complex event filtering/selection/triggering if necessary. I would like the software to have the ability to drive a user written program/script when a trigger occurs, as well as the various other options, e.g., email, text message.
Thanks,
Ira
I have a standby genset for my home. It is located about 150 feet away (next to my "shop") so I can't hear it when it runs. I want to monitor genset starts/stops and utility company power present/failure. Detecting the above is easy, and I already have that capability via a couple of power taps off the genset and utility company line in the genset's automatic transfer switch. When the genset is running, I have a relay coil that is energized. When utility company power is available, I have another relay coil that is energized. The relays are independent of each other.
Note also that the genset goes thru an exercise cycle weekly on the same day of the week at the same time. During this exercise cycle, the relay coil monitoring the genset is energized.
Here is what I want to do in some example scenarios...
1. I want to trigger an alarm/notification if the genset doesn't complete its weekly exercise cycle, i.e., it doesn't start at approximately the normal time and/or doesn't run for at least most the normal exercise cycle time (about fifteen minutes).
2. I want to trigger an alarm/notification if I lose utility company power for more than fifteen seconds, which is the amount of time the genset waits for power to be out before it starts up.
3. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the genset starts as a result of a power outage, i.e., not when it starts its exercise cycle.
4. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the utility company power comes back on after an outage of at least 15 seconds.
5. I want to trigger an alarm/notification when the genset shuts down as a result of utility company power being restored, i.e., not when it finishes its exercise cycle.
I also want to log the states on a frequent basis (every second or two) so I can graph the states over a period of time. Even better would be a realtime chart recording capability with history function.
The software must be Windows Vista (32) compatible. It will run on a semi-dedicated PC. I have an ethernet connection near the location of the relays, but I need some type of hardware that can make the relay contact states (open/closed) available on the network.
I'm okay with having to write scripts, programs, etc. to do the more complex event filtering/selection/triggering if necessary. I would like the software to have the ability to drive a user written program/script when a trigger occurs, as well as the various other options, e.g., email, text message.
Thanks,
Ira