Special Issue - 2017 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
ICIATE - 2017 Conference Proceedings

PLC based Home Automation System

Saurav Vats1, Prof. Neha Bansal2, Prof. Garima Gurjar3, Saurabh Kamat4, Rishabh Rai5
Department of Electrical Engineering
Atharva College of Engineering,
Mumbai, India

Abstract— Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is II. LITERATURE SURVEY

utilized extensively for automation of electromechanical Various home automation systems have been designed
processes. In this study, a home automation system is designed and the system coding depends on number of applications to
using PLC. The proposed control module will consist of be controlled. The reason for its tremendous growth has
software simulation and hardware implementation. The
been attributed to various informal research and designs.
control module provides multiple components fault detection,
tolerance and switch on or off in critical areas. The system is The types of home automation systems based on their
easy to build, service, modify and it provides reliable control systems are:
communication of home automation with reduced cost. In this
paper, we propose the idea of designing a smart home with A. Individual Control System-
optimized energy consumption. The system is programmable to This type of control system is considered to be the
meet demands, adding different home appliances in short time predecessor of modern day control systems. Here each
by optimizing the entire hardware assembly and software device like heater or air conditioner will have an
algorithms. The PLC is easy to understand and the system independent control dedicated to it. Following are the
provides multiple solutions by using a single component.
various individual control systems:
Although new but more efficient than previous systems, the
PLC can become the epicenter to many new applications. Once  Wired remote controller
the system is designed and implemented; the only cost is that of  High-spec wired remote controller
maintenance. It is also possible to combine PLC model with  Timer remote controller
other devices such as GSM. Such kind of an application will be  Wireless remote controller
extremely beneficial for the aged and disabled people by  Simplified remote controller
offering voice control and safety items.  Remote sensor
Keywords— Programmable Logic Controller, Fault
detection, Software Algorithms, GSM. B. Distributed Control System-
A distributed control system is a computerized control
INTRODUCTION
I. INTRODUCTION system. In this, the control systems are distributed
throughout the system, but there is a central operator
PLC can help in achieving complete automation e.g. supervisory control. The main feature of this type of system
an air conditioning system can be switched on before the is emergency shut-down. This system can be pre-set or the
owner reaches his home especially in summer. A PLC based control parameters of several similar devices can be varied
security system will detect smoke, excessive electrical as per requirement. For example, controlling the thermostats
power usage, burglar attempts and unauthorized movements of several air conditioners and their ON/OFF timings [3].
in the house and send alert messages. This is the idea behind
designing home automation system using PLC and there is
no end to its applications. Advanced and more reliable PLCs
are now being developed that can maintain a record of
household items, record their usage through RFID (Radio
Frequency Identification), automatically order replacements
etc. Home automation is a key term when we refer a smart
home, a home that can detect and distinguish, automatically
adjust the lighting as per user’s requirement, open doors
automatically when combined with proper sensors, switch
on the security lights at night and switch them off in
morning without any interference in the user’s schedule,
heat water for bathing and tea making, accessing anywhere
in the world via internet, a live video of what is happening
in your surroundings [1]. This is possible via one centrally
controlled system. Nowadays, it has become essential to Figure 1: Distributed control system (Source: Wikipedia)
have an automated home which can range from remote, set
burglar alarm and hi-tech security gates.

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Special Issue - 2017 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
ICIATE - 2017 Conference Proceedings

C. Central Control System-

These systems are programmed to handle various
functions of multiple utilities like home entertainment,
windows, refrigerators and cooking systems all at the same
time in home. The operator can connect to the control
system through telephone or internet from anywhere in the
world.

Figure 4: Wireless system (Source: Zygbee Home Automation)

C. Hardwired system-
Hardwired home control systems are the most reliable
but expensive. Hard wired systems are considered an ideal
choice for larger homes where there is a requirement for
Figure 2: Central control system (Source: Xylem solutions)
multiple actions operating simultaneously [6]. The major
applications of hardwired systems may include integrating
The different types of home automation systems using PLC
more systems in the home, effectively combining the indoor
but based on the carrier mode are as follows:
and outdoor lighting, audio and video equipment’s and
security system, even the heating and cooling system into
A. Power line carrier System-
one control package that will be easy and not time
It is the least expensive type of home automation system
consuming.
which operates over the home’s existing wiring or power
line carrier. These can range from X10-based lamp timers,
to more complex and intricate systems that require
installation by a trained professional [4].

Figure 5: Hardwired system [7]

D. Internet Protocol control system-

Internet Protocol (IP) control automation system
provides control using internet. Each device under its
control is given a particular and specific Internet Protocol
address and they can be monitored using a local area
network (LAN) in home. Hence, the system is interactive
using internet with the possibility of live video streaming
and real-time control.

Figure 3: Power line carrier system [5]

B. Wireless system-
Along with power line carrier systems, the wireless
systems are also available those utilize radio-frequency
technology. They can be used for operating lights,
sometimes in concurrence with a hardwired lighting control
system.

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 Special Issue - 2017 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
ICIATE - 2017 Conference Proceedings

 Home security system: It will monitor the house and in case

of any unwanted activity, it will take actions according to
the logic.
 Movie Theater at your home: By controlling your TV,
tuners, stereo, DVD players etc. you can create your own
home theater.
 Waking up in your favorite environment: Instead of waking
to a harsh alarm sound, you can set the control system to
create your favorite environment at your wake-up time.

III. METHODOLOGY
In this project, some specific and deliberate choices were
made on the type of platforms, the hardware components to
be used and the mode of operation of home automation
Figure 6: Internet protocol control system [8] system. Before the actual design of the project work, it is
extremely necessary to make specific deliberate choices in
E. Comparison of Home Automation System using PLC and selection of appropriate implementation platforms. Priority
microcontroller was given to low cost yet reliable components, availability,
 PLC uses programmable memory for functions such as flexibility and simplicity in all these selections. Some of the
timing, counting etc. whereas a microcontroller is a available platforms are– Power line, RS232, Ethernet,
microprocessor with internal input and output and memory Infrared, GSM, PLC and Microcontroller; RS232. Many
i.e. RAM, ROM, PORTS. permutations and combinations were considered for this
 PLC has more number of input and output terminals as project and among them; GSM and PLC were found most
compared to microcontroller. appropriate due to reliability and simplicity when used for
 PLC can be used easily for Industrial/Home automation an individual control home automation system which our
whereas in microcontroller certain difficulties arise as per project work deals with. Using Power line and Ethernet
change in operation. seemed expensive and complex for this kind of home
 For PLCs, development time is less as compared to automation system while Bluetooth and Infrared are found
microcontrollers. to be unreliable [10].
 Troubleshooting a PLC is much more technician friendly but
in microcontrollers troubleshooting is much more complex. A. Hardware Requirements:
 Interfacing in PLC is much simpler than in microcontrollers
where the user requires developing his own signal interface.  Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
 PLCs are highly reliable, fast and flexible as compared to  RS 232 To 485 Converter
microcontrollers.  Line Filter-single phase 0-230V
 Microcontrollers are developed for dedicated equipment’s  Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)- single pole 230V AC
but PLCs can control many devices simultaneously. 2Amp
 Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 0-25V DC
Today’s smart home focuses on comfortable living with  Voltage Regulators- IC7805, IC7812
optimum power usage and security of the house. They helps  Opto-Coupler
in reducing the wastage of energy. The system also tracks  MOSFET
the unoperational devices in the house). Current trends in  Relay
smart home and home automation include the following [9]-  Centre Tapped Transformer –input 230V AC, output-12-0-
 Lightening control. 12V
 Automated thermostat adjustment  Fuse 0.5mA
 Remote video surveillance  BLDC Motor 12V DC
 Remote mobile control  Lamp Load 230V 12W
 Automated control of doors  GSM Module
In this work we are going to automate the following tasks:  SIM
 Automation of the lightening systems to turn on or off  Mobile phone
depending upon certain conditions in various areas of house.
 Automation of home appliances for e.g. controlling the B. Software Requirements:
temperature of oven etc.
 Controlling the AC to save energy.  SCADA software
 Control of garden irrigation system depending upon the  Communication protocol- MODBUS
signals received from the humidity and precipitation sensors.  Programming software- ABB AC31GRAF


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Special Issue - 2017 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
ICIATE - 2017 Conference Proceedings

IV. IMPLEMENTATION  The CPU accepts input from various sensing devices,
executes the user program stored in the memory and sends
A small PLC could have a fixed range of connections appropriate output signal to control devices.
constructed in for inputs and outputs. The processor and  A DC power source is required to produce low-level voltage
choice of I/O modules are customized for precise used by processor and I/O modules [12]. The CPU contains
application. Numerous racks may be administered through a various electrical parts and operational key switches.
single processor and can have number of inputs and outputs.
Consumer Interface is required for the purpose of In our system we are using PLC from ABB [13].
configuration, alarm reporting or regular control. A human-
gadget interface (HMI) is employed for this purpose.
Textual content displays are available in addition to
graphical contact screens. PLC’s have built in
communication ports, typically 9-pin RS-232, however
optionally EIA-485 or Ethernet.

Figure 9: ABB 07KR51 PLC

Following are some of the specifications of the PLC:

 Binary inputs: 8
 Binary outputs: 6
 Analog potentiometers: 2
 Maximum number of extension units per central unit: 6
Figure 7: Block diagram of proposed system  Maximum number of remote units on the CS 31 bus: 31

Figure 10: Cabling of a 07KR51 230 V a.c. central unit [13]

Figure 8: Block diagram of PLC [11]
In latest years, "protection" PLC has started to end up
popular. These are different from traditional PLCs as being
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart of the
appropriate for use in safety-essential packages for which
PLC system. It replaces central relays, counters, timers and
PLC have traditionally been supplemented with difficult-
sequencers. One bit processors can deal with logic
stressed protection relays.
operations. PLCs with word processors are used when
processing text and numerical data, calculations, gauging,
V. CONCLUSION
controlling and recording as well as the simple processing of
PLC is much better and advanced when compared to
signals in binary code are required.
relay based automation. PLC uses simple program using
The operating principle of CPU can be briefly described as
ladder logic. The major advantages of using PLC are as
follows:
follows:

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Special Issue - 2017 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
ICIATE - 2017 Conference Proceedings

1. It consumes less power.

2. Low .maintenance cost and can be easily programmed.
3. Also, it has self-diagnostic functions which enables easy
and fast troubleshooting of the system.
4. The machine cycle time is improved tremendously due to
the speed of PLC operation being a matter of milliseconds.
5. Modification of control sequence can easily be done by
programming without changing the I/O wiring.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Mrs.

Neha Bansal and Mrs. Garima Gurjar for taking time from
their busy schedule to provide us with great deal of help,
support and encouraged us to work diligently at every
aspects of our project. Their constructive suggestions helped
us to successfully do the project. We have benefited a lot
from their immense knowledge and experience. We would
also like to thank the faculty of Department of Electrical
Engineering who greatly assisted our research and for their
valuable help.

REFERENCES

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