Water Features
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Water features and fluid control is
not as common as the other areas
of
lifestyle
automation
- but
some
applications
(such as remote controlled fountains) can be easily implemented
and provide effort and energy savings as well as enhance the
character of your
residence.
Typical applications may include:
- fountains
- irrigation
- automatic bath fillers
- fish ponds and aquaria
- washing machines / tumble dryers cycle sensors
- fire suppression systems.
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- Fountains. These are character enhancing features for which water flow
and/or lighting can be relatively easily automated to provide for different
situations: a garden party, a dinner party or a special celebration.
- Outdoor irrigation. It can be further
optimised
by integrating it with zoned soil humidity sensors and
outdoor weather stations -
thus operating only when required. A similar requirement
is for watering horse arenas.
- Indoor irrigation. Perhaps not
so well know but a real time saver if there is a small number
of indoor plants concentrated around a few locations for instance,
a
landing or a sitting room. This is achieved by laying cold water
spurs from the normal plumbing and controlling the flow by normally
closed valves.
- Auto-filling baths. A recent development, it is possible
now to install baths that fill automatically at the right temperature
- at the touch of a button or remotely
- as well as in the normal manual way.
- Fish ponds / aquaria. Water management for these
systems can also be automated to take into account seasons, water
levels and other factors.
- Washing machines / tumble dryers
end-of-cycle sensors. These devices allow the main control
unit to monitor washing machines and tumble dryers to notify users
of the end
of cycle. Typically, a relay or sensor is connected to
the buzzer output and this signal is transmitted to the main control
unit - which can
then flash a message on the kitchen screen or service quarters.
- Fire suppression systems. These
are not common in residences but may find its use in high risk areas
such as stables or other outbuildings. These operate autonomously
(ie. do not need Main Control Unit) but can report status to
the Main Control Unit for remote monitoring, alarm and, possibly,
other follow up actions.
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