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If you are like a lot of folks these days, you probably have a laptop computer. It is your constant companion on trips, on holidays or on vacations. Now you can use your computer to remotely turn your porch lamp on and off, or to check the status of your garage door, or any number of tasks around your home.
Remote lighting control for your post lamp
Let's say your post lamp is located near the sidewalk and the walkway to your front door. It provides a welcoming glow to the entrance of your home. It makes your home safer by lighting the sidewalk and steps. Some folks leave it on all the time; others use a light sensing switch to automatically turn it on and off. Suppose you are working late and don't want to come home to a dark house. You want to check the on/off status of your post lamp; and if it is off for some reason, switch it on.
What you need for remote lighting control
You need to make your post lamp a "smart post lamp." Find the wall switch that controls the post lamp. Replace it with smart switch module. You can still turn it on and off by pushing the switch. But now you can also send a remote command to control the switch. You need a "controller" module that will send your command to your smart switch. If you already have a home wireless network and Internet service, find a wall outlet near your router. Connect the router to the controller using an Ethernet cable. Plug the controller module into the wall outlet and you're ready to go.
How your laptop activates remote lighting control of your post lamp
Bring up your home automation application on your laptop. Then instruct the controller to turn on your post lamp. Your "smart switch" that controls the post lamp "reads" the signal and turns the lamp on. If you are using Insteon home automation, the command from the controller is sent over the electrical wiring in your house and simulaneously is sent out wirelessly. This "dual mesh" Insteon automation setup is both flexible and reliable. It is not expensive. You can also control the plug-in lamps in your living room or porch by adding compatible modules.
Best of all, your system is affordable and modular. Add comatible automation modules as you are ready.
I''m John Dove and I write about practical technology that can help improve home living. My articles offer useful information on such topics as home automation, HDTV, energy management and much more.
Go to Remote Lighting Control to learn more about lamp control using an iPhone.
Go to Remote Post Lamp Control to learn more about controlling your post lamp.
