Re: X10 central heating control

["milkman_ohk" <david.paterson@xxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@y..., "James Hoye" <james.hoye@s...> wrote:
>
> Once you have an understanding of what system/configuration you
have, it
> becomes a little easier as the basic concept is pretty much the
same and
> usually open to automation.  The simplist approach would be if you
have a
> programmable timer somewhere - these usually switch a HW and CH
circuit
> (either at 230v or sometimes 12 or 24v) and are the place to
start.  Some
> systems only allow HW or HW _and_ CH (ie. not CH on its own) - so
beware!

I've been looking at this area too, since I've been getting my
heating system upgraded.  I'd planned to do most of it myself, but
not having done any plumbing before I got a local guy in to do all
the radiators, zone valves etc.

The controller, as somebody said, is just a fancy time switch.  All
the "intelligence" is hard wired into the circuits through the
thermostats and zone valves - very ingenious stuff!

Anyway, the heating and water are simply switched on by a 230V line
>from
modules in parallel with them for computerised control.

The controller can be left as a backup in case of failure, or can do
most of the running, with the AM's used for frost prevention.  I
haven't decided exactly how I'll set it up yet, but it has a lot of
possibilities.

David P.