Solid state relays

The ZigBee / Z-wave stuff is over my head too. I vaguely know what it is / does.

PLC's aren't that bad once you get into them. Trying to keep up with the latest and greatest software has been my issue. 20 years ago I learned Ladder Logic (basically like relay logic). Todays logic uses a "Concept" and "Function Block" theory. The ladder logic is still there. But it's only seen behind the scenes and by advanced users now.

 

How are all the rail switches linked, do you have dedicated conduits that run next to the tracks to run fiber and twisted pair? @0xDEADBEEF

 

I've done zigbee for some home projects and a couple at a previous job. It's got a ton of uses and can be anywhere from very simple to complicated.

We use ladder logic mostly and the market isn't as crazy as the PLC market, so that's nice.

 

It's varies a ton based on railroad preference and location needs. Generally though, most long distance signalling is done through the rails. In areas where you've got control points close together and timing is tighter it can be fiber, twisted pair, tin can and a string, Ethernet, radio, whatever.

 

I only use zigbee/Z-wave for home automation in combination with a lot of Lutron Caseta. It works great at home, but obviously doesn't have the reliability needed for important devices.

 

What kind of frequencies are used for signalling through the rails? I've designed novel RF cables for long distance before, and keep finding more issues with that approach.

 

I've been trying to get more into that field. But I find myself suffering more and more from the Old-Fart syndrome. I've installed similar projects using the Lutron x-10 (power line signal carrier) systems. But find myself struggling with systems compatibility when it comes to Home Automation. Maybe it's because I'm trying to utilize Apple / SIRI.

Just one of many \/ \/ \/

 

A lot of it is just DC, slow DC pulses, or sometimes ac. Audio frequencies get used for the shorter distance things like crossings. And yeah it varies considerably with ballast conditions and train presence. Its pretty fascinating how much they can do with such simple signals.

 

If you are looking towards wireless sensors, check out the hubitat forum. That is the best hub for integration by far these days and the devs are very active. In a company you would surely need to use wired devices for reliability and security, but for home use wireless is solid these days. You can tie mulitiple Lutron Caseta hubs into a hubitat hub which provides the common interface.

 

I was thinking that would leak to ground too much, but perhaps the solution is just more current.

 

A buddy of mine has done a bunch with the sonoff stuff, I've been meaning to give it a try.

 

Pretty much. Low voltage, and a few amps.

 

Sonoff is a lot like the TP-link wifi stuff but has screw terminals. At the end of the day, you want everything in one interface instead of 10 diff apps on your phone. (sprinklers, fans, lights, water alarms, door/window sensors, garage door controller, security cams, temp sensors, etc.) Hubitat is that single point of control for me. It talks to TP-link wifi stuff but I don't think it handles Sonoff.

 

I like to stick to "wired" as much as possible. Currently, in my own home, I have "Up and Running" an Ecobee thermostat and a Garage Door Hub that's all Apple compatible. I purchased an Apple TV hub just basically so that I can set-up geo-fencing. But haven't got around to attempting the setup just yet. I've also got a Samsung CCTV setup and operating very well. But interested in more automation that is compatible with Apple.

 

The nice thing about the sonoff is it's just an esp8266 at the heart, so there's some nice open source firmware for it that opens up the possibilities.

 

Makes sense, am a fan of open source. I made a couple sensors based on ESP8266 which somebody made a driver for from hubitat.

 

We actually own are own rail system here at work. I have to work on a couple of crossing stations on occasion when the arms get damaged or will not go up. I usually take a long crowbar for testing the signal to the arms. I'm not totally familiar with the system. So sometimes I just simply flip the crossing arm relay to clear the crossing.

 

Nobody really likes crossings. They're picky and mechanical to start with, then mix in weather, vandalism and people running the gates. blech.

 

For a while I was using emoncms for temperature monitoring but never wanted to get into controls. Too afraid of someone going haywire when I'm out. Has that been reliable?