Light Switching

Probably the most frequent activity in our home is to turn the lights on and off. Let's have a look at how home automation addresses this very common functionality:

Local Controllers

The simplest home automation controller is the "rocker switch" or mechanical switch. Since we don't have to climb up to the light bulb every time we want to turn it on or off, we can classify the rocker switch as a local controller. It is called local, because we have to be next to it, to operate. The same applies to any mechanical or electrical dimmers, which can only be used locally.

If we would like to extend the control of the light circuit, to operate it from elsewhere, or by an Event Scheduler, we can replace the local switch or dimmer, with a Network Controller.