Home Automation

[cunnishaun]

Morning all!
Not really noticed many, if any home automation related posts on these forums and I was wondering if we have any 'leccys' who have or are dealing with customers home automation needs?
I am currently working as a time served industrial maintenance electrician and I am interested finding out more about home automation work.
I am interested to know what qualifications installers have?
Which would be required?
Thanks in advance for any replies
NB When I say 'home automation' I referring to smart controlled power, lighting and audio/visual systems eh home cinema!
S

 

[pjcomp]

Most of the home automation gear tends to be manufacturer-specific, so any "qualifications" usually revolve around going on the manufacturers' own courses. Beyond that it's mostly knowing your way around wiring

PJ

 

[alanl]

I went on the Click Inels one day course.
Total waste of money.
The presentation was good, the products were good. The prices are ridiculously expensive. The 'solutions' are generally more complicated than the usual methods of controlling things, with the main thing that iof the controller fails, everything fails.
Some good ideas, but the market for such equipment is very small. Individual parts, such as wireless light switching is good, and can be used by anyone,but things such as remote heating / alarms are too expensive and specialised to be of general use.

 

[gavin.sibley]

I agree that the prices can be off the scale, but for the high end customer as we sometimes deal with it's an everyday thing. I use the nikobus home automation line and find if very quick/easy and simple to use, both from an installation and use point of view.

 

[sima24]

Iv only used the lightwave rf stuff. Very cheap, and only basic diy skills needed, i dont really charge much as its sooo simple.

 

[Wonderwall]

For it to work as per people's perception of it , it really is top end of the market.
The cheaper options are really just gimmicks.
Its really more suited to computer geeks IMO

 

[cunnishaun]

Thanks for your replies guys. Interesting to hear your opinions.
Cheers
S