Smart Home Automation Forum

If you want your home become smart, many people don't know how to design and choose products. This article / video will explain what to consider and how to choose KinCony products before preparing to build a smart home.

1: Function
2: Reliability
3: Expansibility
4: Select products

1. function

    a. What load needs to be controlled?
    b. What software platforms need to be used?
    c. Smart control your device in your home or outside of home?

        a.Lighting, curtains, shutters, air conditioners, televisions, multimedia players, LED strip, cameras, security systems, environmental detector, valves, garage doors, etc.

            Select the corresponding hardware products according to the equipment to be controlled.

        b.mobile phone? computer? PAD? voice?

            You can use kincony's own software or home assistant software.

        c.Only need to be used at home? Or do you need remote control?

            You can use kincony's own software or home assistant software.

2. reliability

    a. Whether can pull new cable? If there is no way to pull the wire, only wireless products can be used. The core control system strongly recommends wired products, because the stability of wired solution is better than that of wireless solution.

    b. It is suggested to use the solution of separation of controller + relay driving unit. Because of the separation design of High voltage circuit and low voltage circuit, it has good anti-interference, but takes up more space. However, if the relay is damaged in furture, it can be easily replaced by yourself.

    c. For the core control system, we strongly recommend the wired solution. If use sensor products, we should also choose wired products as far as possible. Due to limited conditions, we can choose wireless products.

    d. For the smart home system, we hope that there are manually controlled switches at the same time. Even if there is no Internet or LAN, your router is damaged and your controller is damaged, the manual switch should still be able to turn on / off those important devices, so as not to affect the daily work. This is a very important point! No system is guaranteed to be foolproof. Add the KC868-E16 or KC868-E8 can do this.

3. Expansibility

    a. Selection of communication interface: Ethernet, WiFi, RS485, RS232, Bluetooth

        It is recommended to use Ethernet and RS485 wired communication solution products with long distance
        RS232 is about 12 meters
        WiFi as the last option

    b. What are the communication protocols: mqtt, HTTP, MODBUS, TCP private protocol

        Mqtt, HTTP and TCP private protocol are ways to integrate hardware products into third-party platforms based on network way.
        Modbus is a way to integrate hardware products into a third-party platform using RS485 bus
        It is recommended to use Ethernet to connect all hardware devices to the home network, which is more flexible and convenient.

    c. Firmware upgrade: according to different hardware products, firmware upgrade through network, RS232 and RS485, obtain the latest functions and fix some bugs.

4. Select products

    a. Interface definition
    b. Supported software
    c. Shell
    d. Match the available products of different models according to the load control mode
    e. Automatic control solution

        a. The core controller is distinguished according to the interface definition:

            KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS: connect with wall switch button directly, support RS485 modbus, support remote control, MOSFET output, Ethernet and WiFi can work at the same time. MOSFET output need add extend relay module (KC868-E16 / KC868-E8) or DC contactor for loads.

            KC868-HxB series: need add switch terminal board for wall switch panel, without RS485, with relay inside. Ethernet and WiFi can work at the same time.

            KC868-A series: some models of MOSFET output, some models of relay output, Ethernet and WiFi can’t work at the same time, you can use ethernet or use WiFi. MOSFET output need add extend relay module (KC868-E16 / KC868-E8) or DC contactor for loads.

        b. Supporting software:

            KC868-Server/KC868-H32BS/KC868-HxB series:

            1. KinCony Smart Home App (need internet)
            2. KBOX App (without internet)
            3. PC software (without internet)
            4. Open communication protocol, provide software demo source code, but CPU program is not open source.

            KC868-A series:

            1.Support for open source firmware -- Tasmota
            2.You can write programs using ESPHome tool
            3.You can write programs using the Arduino ide
            4.All hardware and software are open source

        c. Shell

            KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS / KC868-HxB series: industrial grade metal shell
            KC868-A series: plastic shell

        d. Match the available products of different models according to the load control mode

            ON/OFF Switch type: such as light, curtain, shutter, valve, garage door
            Products: KC868-Server / KC868-H32BS / KC868-HxB series / KC868-A series

            38kHz infrared signal, 433MHz RF signal type: curtain, shutter, air conditioner, TV, multimedia player
            Products: KC868-Server / KC868-AG / KC868-Uair / KC868-G
            KC868-Server / KC868-AG / KC868-Uair : need write arduino IDE code or config in ESPHome to use.
            KC868-G: only directly use by "KinCony Smart Home" app or integrate into third part software platform.

            Dimming type: dimming bulb, RGBW LED strip
            Products: KC868-Server / KC868-A series / KC868-D8
            KC868-Server / KC868-A series : mainly support WS2812B LED strip
            KC868-D8: 12V LED Driver or AC110V-380 SSR load driver (For SSR, if want install on DIN RAIL, just add the heat sink)

        e. Automatic control solution

            KC868-Server
            Node-Red / home assistant installed on raspberry pi
            Make logical or write code for any functions by yourself
            Logical control by raspberry pi

            KC868-COLB
            Just use KC868-COLB’s software to config and set directly.
            It’s easy to use, not complex logical conditions. Logical control by local CPU inside.
            KC868-COLB can be integrate with KC868-Server

            KC868-COLB is a input module , connect with all sensors, it can do IFTTT automatic command to control KC868-H32BS or KC868-H32B controller. KC868-Server also can make logical , it have 16 channel DI and 4 channel AI and some GPIOs for DIY, if not enough input ports for use, then you can integrate KC868-COLB to KC868-Server by MQTT, so that will add 16 channel DI + 16 channel AI +5 channel temperature sensors.

Thank you for summarizing the market needs and kincony solution.

Your article is great, i have some useful comment and i appriciate to consider by Kincony and support need from other members if they see what i see.

1. Kbox vs. Smart home / with/ without internet
I'm still see one software very responsive include everything (intelegent Scene) for internet and without internet with PC software will be a robust solution.

Swapping between different software one for internet and other without and scene here is better than there not friendly user.

2. Flexability to link to other systems to get more benefit rather use IR communication will be better and reliable.

3. Still not clear the add value of COLBs, A series and advantage specially if we use the KC868 server.

Thank you again

1. KBOX android phone app have two work mode. A: MQTT B:TCP A is work for internet B is work for local network, without internet can work. firstly you can set controller's work mode for "MQTT" or "TCP" in network setting, let KBOX's work mode as same as controller's network setting is ok.

2. you can use KC868-AG or KC868-G or KC868-Uair to send IR or RF 433MHz signal to third device.

3. COLB is a input module , connect with all sensors, it can do IFTTT automatic command to control H32BS or H32B controller. KC868-Server also can make logical , it have 16 channel DI and 4 channel AI and some GPIOs for DIY, if not enough input ports for use, then you can integrate COLB to KC868-Server, so that will add 16 channel DI + 16 channel AI +5 channel temperature sensors.

Thank you for the information.
You guys are doing great work. The world is being digital and kincony has been on the field which has the brightest future.
In the last few years, the home automation business has increased drastically. I am an electrical engineer and I know the importance of IoT and its future. Big business entities are now promoting IoT and going digital.
I have recently joined this forum and I am enjoying reading content that is so much informative.
I am happy to be here.

welcome to KinCony

thanks, yes, keep doing.