Smart Home Technology

Introduction

The ATmega328 PLC is a credit card controller packed with many useful functions. It is light weight, consumes low power, has a DIN rail case, build in display, backup power and is scalable. With this PLC you can build and control anything you like. Compared with other PLC’s there is no need for special power supplies, or other interface modules. Practically any sensor from any manufacturer can be connected. On top of all this it is cheap compared with others PLC’s in the market.

The picture below shows the PLC as monitor and measuring device of the electricity grid. This application can activate generators and backups at times when the CFE has blackouts. ( Grid values are zero because the photo is for demonstration purpose). Depicted on the right an example dashboard running on the PLC.

Fig 1 : DIN rail PLC .

Fig 2 : Example dashboard of the PLC.

Interfaces and specifications

The PLC has various interfaces which are configurable depending on the need of sensors and applications

• 4x digital IO/PWM protected .
• 4x 10 Bit Analog in protected
• 2x DAC 12bit 0..10V 1.0 Amp powerout.
• 1x Digital Power output 1Amp
• 1x SPI 1Mhz external.
• 1x I2C 400Khz bufferd.
• 1x relay 120Vac 10Amp.
• 1x SSR relay with zero detection 120Vac 10Amp.
• 1x RS485 half duplex local network.

• 1x 12Vdc male Power Jack.
• 1x WIFI internet
• protocol support: NTP/MQTT/SMTP/DDNS/HTTPserver
• 1x LCD display 4×20.
• 1x RTC 2PPM accurate.
• 1x 256Kbit + 1MByte non volatile memory.
• 2x push buttons.
• 1x Mini USB connector.
• 1x IO matrix min header.
• 1x Audio buzzer alarm
• 1x Programmable reference for ADC’s

Combined with the DIN rail case for use in a DIN rail Central panel solution this PLC can give companies a very compact control over your machines and processes

The inside

The PCB is a high quality double layer made of glass fibre, 1.5mm thick, routing is done with 10mil traces. The PCB measures 100×68 mm has 85 components, the enclosure measures roughly 107x88x60 mm.
Below an image of the PCB layout and the various functions and interfaces.
 

Fig 1 : Inside PCB of the PLC.

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The idea behind it

This PLC was developed for different reasons. One reason was to generate a flexible control platform with a display integrated to control any process you like. A second reason was to offer a complete integrated PLC solution to any one like students professionals and engineers. With this PLC you can focus on your job instead of being busy how to assemble and install a PLC controller.

The basic idea regarding the specifications for the PLC was:

• It had to be small in size with a low power consumption
• Should run from solar panel and or standard Lithium or lead acid batteries.
• It should have build in AC power drivers.
• Had to be expandable or scalable.
• Standardized Interfaces and there for sensor manufacturer independent.
• Equipped with a large display
• Memory to store statistic measurements.

Applications:

This controller platform has a number of applications. Some are available and some are in a concept phase of development. Holamex works on the following applications.

• Photo voltaic energy monitor
• Smart solar collector differential thermostat
• Battery heath monitor and charger.
• Swimming pool controller with automated pool and garden light timer
• Load control for factories with high energy demand.
• Light lux meter.
• Flow meter
• High way traffic density counter.
• Smart Solar light post monitor and battery maintenance.
• CFE grid monitor with backup switch functionality.
• Air pollution monitor.

Ports on the module

The ports on the PLC allows connecting external sensors or measurement modules. Some of the ports provide beside the GPIO signals also the necessary power to feed the external modules or sensors. The ports are implemented with 3.81 mm pitch screw terminals. The following ports are available: