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Hausmate Guide
2015
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hausmate is the trading name of Atamate Ltd
Old House, The Ridings, Oxford, OX3 8TB
Registered in England & Wales, Reg. No. 08046773
What is Hausmate?
Hausmate represents the new generation of
building automation technology.
Other building automation and smart home
technologies have been on the market for
many years, but have tended to be prohibitively
expensive and technically tricky to work with.
Hausmate provides the homeowner with fully
integrated linked automation throughout the
home for an affordable price, giving access to all
the benefits of the smart home to everyone.
Hausmate provides homeowners with many
benefits, the key ones being:
• Increased efficiency—your home only uses
energy when it is required.
• Increased reliability—catching maintenance
problems early to reduce any impact.
• Improved security—peace of mind when you’re
away from home.
• Increased convenience—remotely opening
doors or gates to let in deliveries, or open hard to
reach Velux windows.
• Improved comfort—better lighting, heating and
audio.
• Family friendly—no complex remote controls or
switches.
If any questions remain unanswered, please
contact the Hausmate team on 01865 920101, or
email us on info@hausmate.com and we will get
back to you as soon as possible.
One of the major advantages of Hausmate is the
simplicity and ease of installation. The system uses
all standard cabling and allows for full testing of
the cabling when installed. It also simplifies the
control of heating systems as all the cables are star
wired and therefore there is no need for complex
proprietary multiplex cabling.
We recognise that before many people want to put
Hausmate technology into their houses they want
to understand in greater depth how it works. As
such, this guide has split the system into 2 main
sections, Hausmate hardware and Hausmate
software.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Contents
The Apps 5
Lighting............................................................. 6
Heating.............................................................. 7
Hot water.......................................................... 8
Access................................................................ 9
Audio.................................................................. 10
Calendar............................................................ 11
Windows and vents........................................ 12
Curtains and blinds........................................ 13
Occupancy........................................................ 14
Sprinklers.......................................................... 15
Swimming pool............................................... 16
Failsafe Mode................................................... 17
Responses app................................................ 17
MessageMe app............................................... 17
Hardware Overview 19
Hardware Wiring
20
Hardware Inputs
21
Sensors.............................................................. 21
Sensor unit................................................... 21
External sensor unit................................... 21
Punchdown sensor unit............................ 22
Light switches.................................................. 22
User interface................................................... 22
Other data......................................................... 22
Hardware Outputs
24
Relays................................................................ 24
Dimmers............................................................ 24
Audio.................................................................. 24
Your Hausmate Journey
25
Hardware Control
23
Gateways.......................................................... 23
Zone Gateways........................................... 23
DMX Gateways............................................. 23
Network............................................................. 23
Computer.......................................................... 23
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 5
The Apps
Apps are small programs responsible for the
behaviour of services in the building. They convert
input signals into output actions. Each app covers
a specific area, such as lighting, heating, cooling,
or operating garden sprinklers. Each is optimised
for its purpose. For example the Heating app
concentrates on monitoring the temperature
in each room and deciding whether it should
heat that room. The Heating Supply app knows
how and when to provide heat. Different types
of heating system in different houses behave
differently, and apps provide the ability to
accommodate this varying behaviour.
I nformation from these apps can be monitored
by the user on a smart phone, tablet or desktop
browser.
The heart of the system is the Hausmate Platform
software known as the Host. This combines
knowledge of the building layout, the hardware
connected, the ability to communicate, and the
support of Hausmate apps.
ll apps require certain hardware in order to work
A
correctly. This varies depending on what individual
requirements are, but all installations require:
• host computer
• zone gateways
Every installation will benefit from Hausmate’s
control of lighting and heating. Beyond this, as few
or as many other apps can be chosen to be run
on the Hausmate system to suit the needs of the
people who live in the property.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 6
Lighting
Dimmer
Pack
Ambient
light
ZoneZone
Gateway
Gateway
We use lighting in a home to not only see where we
are going, but also to create the different moods
in different rooms. The Lighting app takes input
from rocker switches, the Haze, toggle switches,
ambient light sensors and PIR sensors and controls
lighting circuits, as well as allowing remote access
via the user interface (UI).
The Hausmate Lighting app enables a user to
control the lighting in each room separately; to
turn the lights on or off, adjust how bright they
are or set previously recorded scenes. As well as
enabling a user to enjoy their home, the Lighting
app can use information from the sensor unit to
decide whether a room is occupied, and switch on
or off lights as appropriate.
Note : Hausmate does not supply light fittings.
DMX
Gateway
Host
Twin & earth
power cable
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with
Lighting:
• Occupancy
• Calendar
• Windows and blinds
ardware required for complete lighting solution:
H
• switches (rockers/Haze)
• sensor unit
• relay unit for on/off or DMX gateway and thirdparty DMX dimmer unit for dimming circuits
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 7
Heating
Cat. 5 cable
To deliver the heat and manage the boiler, the
Heating Supply app is used. It opens heating
valves, energises pumps, and fires the boiler. The
Zone
Gateway
Host
A correctly heated house not only ensures
that occupants are comfortable, but is more
environmentally friendly and can save money. The
Hausmate system runs two apps for heating, one
for demand (a room needs heating) and one for
supply (control of the boiler).
he Heating Demand app monitors the
T
temperature in each room. It allows the user
to review and control each separately, with
information about the current temperature
taken from the sensor and displayed on the user
interface. The calendar can be used to schedule
the system to warm up rooms before anyone gets
home on weekdays, and to keep rooms warm all
day at weekends. The user can adjust the settings
using the UI either as a temporary override or to
change the schedule of heating permanently.
Relay
Unit
Pump
Twin & earth
power cable
Heating
manifold
CAT5 cable
Heating Supply app has been written to use the
boiler in a way which maximises efficiency and
prolongs the life of the components in the system.
Heating supply is installed so that it is easy to
isolate the heating system to service the boiler and
other heating components. The heating supply
app can control multiple heat sources.
Note : all actuators, pumps, valves, boiler are
standard domestic components and should be
supplied and installed by your plumber.
Other apps that can be used together with the
Heating app:
• Occupancy
• Calendar
• Response
Hardware required for complete heating solution:
• relay unit
• sensor unit for temperature and humidity
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 8
Hot water
Zone
Gateway
Relay
Unit
The Hot Water app controls the provision of hot
water throughout the house when using a system
boiler with a tank. The hot water temperature is
set using a maximum set-point that the water is
heated to and a minimum temperature set-point
that the hot water is allowed to fall to before the
water is heated again. This is to reduce the chance
of a boiler being ‘short cycled’ i.e. turned on and off
for short periods of time which is not good for it.
he Hot Water app can control the secondary
T
circulation pump (or bronze pump). This ensures
that hot water is available immediately in
distant bathrooms when required, but does not
unnecessarily heat water when not required. This
can be linked to the Occupancy app.
Alerts can also be set up to inform users when the
boiler temperature drops below a pre-set level thus
ensuring that faults can be dealt with quickly and
efficiently.
Water
Tank
Host
Secondary
circulation
Pump
Twin & earth
power cable
CAT5 cable
The Hot Water app works equally well with solar
thermal hot water tanks.
The Hot Water app requires the Heating Supply
app to operate.
Note : all actuators, pumps, valves, boiler etc are
standard and should be specified and installed by
your plumber.
Other apps that can be used together with the Hot
Water app:
• Calendar
• Response
• Occupancy
Hardware required for complete hot water
solution:
• relay unit
• sensor unit for temperature
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 9
Access
Relay
Unit
Zone
Gateway
There are many ways the Hausmate system can
help to monitor access to your house when you are
at home or away. Numerous access solutions are
available depending on your requirements, ranging
from a simple doorbell to a door intercom system
that dial mobiles and allows door release or gate
opening from outside the property. Local CCTV can
be integrated to allow you to see the visitor before
allowing them access. Multiple entrances can be
easily added to the system.
Note: Hausmate does not supply gates, actuators,
bells or IP phones.
Host
Outside
doorbell
Twin & earth
power cable
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Access app:
• Response
The hardware required for the Access app:
• relay unit
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 10
Audio
The Hausmate Audio app allows users to play
music and other audio from many different
sources: a personal music library, BBC iPlayer,
Spotify and internet radio. Different audio tracks
can be played in different rooms in the house, so
when cooking for a party, music can be played in
the kitchen while the children are upstairs listening
to Beatrix Potter. The user can control the system
via their phone, or can use the Haze in Audio mode
to control the volume. The audio can be muted
when the doorbell rings.
Multichannel
audio system
Zone
Gateway
Music
Server
Online music /
broadcast
Your phone /
computer
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Audio app:
• Calendar
• Response
ardware required for the Audio app:
H
• digital to analogue converter
• Hausmate can supply speakers
• separate amplifiers can be used if required
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 11
Calendar
The Calendar app allows users to tell the house
what to do. Users can program or set different
‘modes’ or actions to be performed at different
times of the day, creating a ‘standard’ weekday,
or ‘Sunday’ that can be saved within the users
profiles.
Setting single events or multiple events (profiles) is
easy, and requires the user to select which actions
they wish to happen when, then these will be
displayed on the calendar. A profile covers 24 hours
(midnight to midnight) and can be set to happen
just once, repeated every day, or any specified day
in the future.
The UI shows all profiles on the scheduler in order
of priority and so if two profiles are scheduled to
occur at the same time the system will prioritise
the one at the top of the list. The list can be viewed
at all times, with the profile running being in bold
and the rest greyed out.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 12
Windows and vents
Relay
Unit
Concealed
motor
Sensor
unit
Zone
Gateway
This app controls one or more powered windows
in a room. Windows can be opened or closed all
the way, or the user can specify anything between:
e.g. half open. The system allows for the windows
to lock or unlock. Windows can be controlled
either from the UI, the Haze setting or via the
Calendar app.
Using information from the sensors, Hausmate
will close windows if it starts raining or if the
temperature in the room drops below a predefined
level, or open them if the outside temperature rises
too much.
Host
Rain
sensor
Twin & earth
power cable
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Windows app:
• Response
• Calendar
• Heating
The hardware required for the Windows app:
• relay unit
• sensor unit
• rain sensor
• Haze
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 13
Curtains and blinds
External ambient
Light sensor
Zone
Gateway
Curtains and blinds can be operated by Hausmate
through the UI. They can also be opened or closed
when the external light sensor detects the light
levels falling or visa versa. If the light level goes
above a high set threshold the curtains can be
closed to protect furniture from being bleached by
the sun.
It is also possible to partially open or close a blind
using limit switches so that the natural light levels
in a room can be kept at a maximum. One or more
powered curtains in a room can be controlled at
the same time, or opened to different levels.
Operation can be scheduled into the calendar to
happen on a regular basis in each room.
Note: Hausmate does not supply curtains.
Relay
Unit
Host
CAT5
or 3C&E
cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Curtains and Blinds app:
• Lighting
• Calendar
The hardware required for the Curtains and Blinds
app:
• sensor units
• relay unit
• Haze
• Hausmate can also advise and/or provide the
curtain motor units
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 14
Occupancy
Zone
Gateway
Knowing if your home or each room is occupied
may seem to be purely a security issue, but the
Hausmate Occupancy app offers much more than
that. It can keep track of whether anyone is in each
room and use this information to set appropriate
lighting, heating and ventilation. The user can set
the delay required before an ‘unoccupied’ flag is
posted on the system so the lights don’t go off
when you are curled up with a book.
Host
Twin & earth
power cable
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Occupancy app:
• Lighting
• Heating
• Windows
• Curtains and blinds
• Response app
Hardware required:
• sensor unit
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 15
Sprinklers
A lot of time and effort is put into making a
beautiful garden, and the Hausmate Sprinkler
app ensures that all that is not wasted. It enables
users to create and edit a plant watering schedule
specific to a time of year, a particular bed or
lawn. Each of these ‘modes’ will switch individual
or multiple sprinklers on or off, for specified
length of time on a specified day. There is also
a manual function for specialised watering, and
an emergency stop function for when a visitor
unexpectedly walks into the garden.
The app can be used on a small or large scale—
both vegetable patches and hanging baskets can
benefit from regular watering, and once set up,
the app will run the sprinklers when the user is at
home or on holiday.
Zone
Gateway
Host
Relay
Unit
Twin & earth
power cable
Valve
Pump
Rainwater tank
with level detector
CAT5 cable
Other apps that can be used together with the
Sprinkler app:
• Calendar
• Response
The hardware required for the Sprinkler app:
• relay unit
Note: all sprinkler equipment supplies by others.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 16
Swimming pool
Zone
Gateway
Relay
Unit
Swimming pools come in many configurations
that use different heating and sanitation
technologies. Hausmate currently provides a
suite of apps to control your pool. The pool pump
underlies the other pool apps and undertakes the
basic functions of logging on and off times and
temperatures etc.
The other pool apps are:
• Pool Cleaning app—this allows the pump to run
for the required number of hours a day.
• UV Sterilisation app—this allows for the stitching
on and off of a UV sterilisation lamp.
• Pool Frost Guard app—for pools that are
not drained in the winter this app switches the
pump on, preventing pipes freezing when the
temperature drops.
• Pool Solar Heating—for pools that have solar
heating, this ensures the maximum heat is taken
from the solar panels to the pool.
Host
Twin & earth
power cable
Pump
Heat
Exchanger
CAT5 cable
• Pool Active Heating—this keeps the pool at a
desired temperature using a heat source such as a
heat pump or a boiler.
Note : all swimming pool equipment supplied by
others.
Other apps that can be used together with the
swimming pool app:
• Calendar
• Response
ardware required for complete swimming pool
H
solution:
• sensor unit
• relay unit
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
The Apps • 17
Failsafe Mode
Responses app
MessageMe app
The apps run on the Hausmate Host computer
to provide sophisticated control of the building’s
services. The vital services; heating, hot water and
lighting need a backup system to provide an extra
layer of security should things go wrong. This is the
Failsafe Mode.
The Responses app is a collection of preprogrammed responses which can be activated
or deactivated via the UI. If the humidity sensor
shows a level above expected, the Response app
can be programmed to turn the extractor fan on,
or if the heating system’s pressure drops an alert
message is sent to the user.
The MessageMe app is an extension of the
Response app. While the Response app allows the
house to respond to events, the MessageMe app
can communicate with users by email, or SMS.
Hausmate uses its Zone Gateways as a network of
distributed, failsafe controllers. The processor on
each Zone Gateway is capable of taking control
of the entire Hausmate system. Each gateway
continually checks whether it is in contact with the
Hausmate Host. If connection is lost, the failsafe
controller will take over until the Hausmate Host is
back online. You will be alerted that the house is in
Failsafe Mode by flashing Haze lights.
Once set up, and all the occupants requirements
are selected, the system is very hands off and
if prefered, can be left to run without any user
interaction.
Contact details stored in the system are used to
send each message to the correct person. There
are three levels of message: emergency, alert and
information, and a user can specify how each
contact should receive messages at each level.
The Response app requires no additional hardware
unless a response is chosen to be displayed on a
Haze.
Services provided in Failsafe Mode:
• Rooms are heated to a preconfigured temperature
• Hot water supplies are kept up
• Lights can be turned on and off
No additional hardware is required and this is
standard on all installations.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hardware Overview • 19
Hardware Overview
The Hausmate is designed to be simple to
install and robust when in use. Hausmate uses
a wired system and it is anticipated that it
would be installed at initial build or as part of a
refurbishment.
The Hausmate control system consists of three
elements: inputs, control and outputs.
• Inputs­—typically sensors, light switches or data
(from the User Interface [UI] or the internet).
• Control—gateways, network and computers.
• Output—relays, dimmers and data.
This guide will look at each of these in turn.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hardware Wiring • 20
Hardware Wiring
Hausmate is a wired system. It uses standard
cabling throughout. There are some differences
between conventional domestic wiring practice
and what we do. The main differences are:
• Hausmate is star wired. Typically there will be
a wiring centre on each floor, where cables from
different rooms are terminated.
• Hausmate control cables (to light switches
and sensor boards) are run in CAT5 cable and
terminated with a RJ45 connector. This has the
advantage that all the CAT5 cables, terminated
with a RJ45 are easy to test prior to finishing.
• Other cables are also needed for speaker cables,
for smoke detectors and co-ax for TV’s. 4-core is
often used for curtain/blind control.
• Hausmate runs on it own LAN (local area
network)—known as the HAN (Hausmate Area
Network). This is to ensure security of the system,
by keeping our control messages independent of
other network traffic.
• Although not essential, ideally Hausmate should
have a connection to the Internet and it is likely
that the house will have Wireless Access Points
(WAPs) on the LAN to give local control.
In addition:
• Hausmate power cables, for lights, actuators etc
are conventional Twin and Earth cables and are
wired like standard wiring. Note that under Part P
of the building Regulations this needs to done by a
qualified electrician.
Note: Hausmate does not supply cables, but does
provide full wiring plans and schedules.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hardware Inputs • 21
Hardware Inputs
Sensors
Sensor unit
Hausmate can have almost any sensor fitted to it.
However to simplify installation most sensors are
grouped together and then use a single CAT5 cable
with a standard RJ45 connection making them
simple to fit.
he sensor unit is typically fitted to the ceiling in
T
each room. It has a RJ45 connector to allow simple
connection to the CAT5 structured cabling leading
back to a Zone Gateway (see Control section). The
sensor unit houses the following sensors:
• PIR (passive infrared)—this detects movement
and is used as an occupation sensor.
• Temperature—there are 2 temperature sensors
to measure both ambient temperature and surface
temperature. Having both types gives readings
with greater accuracy.
• Ambient light—this measures the light level in
the room.
• Humidity—measures the humidity level, and can
be used with the temperature reading to calculate
the relative humidity.
Other sensors can be fitted to the sensor unit such
as:
• Carbon dioxide—to monitor indoor air quality
fitted in the sensor.
• Door and window sensors—to detect if they are
open or closed. As these are fitted externally from
the sensor unit they would be run on a separate
CAT5 cable and there is a second RJ45 connection
in the sensor unit to allow simple connection.
External sensor unit
This is similar to the sensor unit, but is designed to
be fitted outside. It has a RJ45 connector to allow
simple connection to the CAT5 structured cabling.
Typically two are fitted, on the North and South
faces of the main building.
These measure:
• ambient temperature
• humidity
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Punchdown sensor unit
Light switches
his allows connection of bespoke sensors,
T
typically used in plant rooms where there may
need to be a collection of temperature and water
pressure sensors. It allows the multiplexing of
several sensors on to one CAT5 Cable. The number
of sensors varies according to the installation. All
punchdown sensors come with specific wiring
instructions.
ll light switches in the building are connected
A
via a RJ45 socket and CAT5 cable. Standard
rockers and momentary switches are used in the
Hausmate system. Standard dimmer switches do
not work with the Hausmate system which instead
uses the ‘Haze’.
Other sensors can be fitted such as pressure, level,
external PIRs and trip sensors (these detect trips on
a standard MCB).
The Haze is a light switch with a difference. It looks
and behaves like a standard dimmer switch, and
as such does not confuse guests or grandmothers,
but it is much more versatile.
y pushing and twisting the Haze the user can
B
change the items under control—curtains,
windows, audio volume, etc—each of which is
represented by a different highlight colour on the
illuminated collar. Using the illuminated collar, the
Haze can provide feedback information across the
building, for example alerting occupants when the
front door is left open.
Haze can be fitted to most standard faceplates to
fit into any style of building.
User interface
The user interface (UI) can be accessed via any web
based device. This allows instantaneous control
and configuration of the system.
Other data
The open architecture of the Hausmate system
allows other sources of data to be used by the
system. These might include local hardware
devices such as CCTV cameras, remote streaming
media services (such as iPlayer or Spotify) and
internet weather forecasts.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hardware Control • 23
Hardware Control
Gateways
Zone Gateways
Hausmate control is based on ethernet standards.
Gateways provide the ‘translation’ between
different data types and ethernet standard. There
are two main gateways used in the system: Zone
Gateways and DMX Gateways.
Zone gateways collect the raw digital and analogue
inputs from sensors and switches. They can also
provide digital and analogue outputs to control
relays and drive LED’s. In a typical installation there
will usually be one or two Zone gateways per floor
of a house. All connections to a Zone Gateway are
made using RJ 45 terminated CAT5 cables. They
are powered through the ethernet control cable.
Network
DMX Gateways
DMX512 is an industry digital communication
standard, which is used to control lights although it
now can be used to control almost anything. Again
all connections are made with RJ 45 terminated
CAT5 cables and power comes through the
ethernet control cable. See outputs below for more
details.
The Hausmate system is based on ethernet
networking standards so conventional data
switches and routers are used to connect the
devices around the property.
Computer
The main control software is run on a PC referred
to as the Hausmate Host.
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hardware Outputs • 24
Hardware Outputs
Relays
Audio
Relays are electrically operated switches controlled
by the Host. Relays can control any size of electrical
load found in the domestic environment, varying
from a small LED right through to large floodlights
or pumps. There are different standards of digital
control and so the Host will pass these signals via
a Gateway. Hausmate relays are controlled by the
Zone gateway.
Hausmate can play audio across the property.
The music source can be a local music collection,
internet radio or web streams such as BBC iPlayer
or Spotify.
Dimmers
Hausmate uses DMX dimmers, these are typically
used to control lighting levels. These come in a
variety of sizes and can carry any electrical current.
The Audio hardware consists of:
• a DAC (digital analogue converter) to convert
the audio signal into a signal for a conventional
amplifier
• an amplifier for each room
• speakers
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Your Hausmate Journey • 25
Your Hausmate
Journey
We understand that smart homes systems can
appear complex. We are experts in this field and
always welcome the opportunity to discuss your
requirements and how we can support you.
We have a showroom at our offices in Oxford
that demonstrates all the functionality of the
Hausmate system, and we always welcome
visitors. Alternatively we can meet you either at our
permanent display in the National Self Build and
Renovation Centre in Swindon, or at your project
site.
From a set of drawings we can provide you with an
accurate cost estimate for the Hausmate system
tailored to both your needs, (different apps) and
your house (layout, building services). Hausmate
needs to be designed along with other building
services and as such it is important that we are
involved at the early stages of your project.
Once you are happy with our proposal we
will produce your bespoke design. This is a
computer model of your house along with the
documentation your electrician will need to install
the system.
The Hausmate hardware can then be delivered
to site when your electrician needs it, and will
includes all documentation and cable labels so the
installation process is simple. Once the cables are
run (typically at the end of first fix) we will come on
site to ensure that everything is correctly fitted.
When the installation is complete we will visit your
site again to confirm everything has been installed
to our high standards and that the system is
correctly configured for you.
Then all you need to do is start enjoying you new
Hausmate smart home!
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
hausmate.com • 01865 920101
Hausmate is the trading name of Atamate Ltd
Old House, The Ridings, Oxford, OX3 8TB
Registered in England & Wales, Reg. No. 08046773