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Published September 20, 2023 © GPL3+

How to Control Home Appliances from PC using Arduino

I will explain the process of how to control home appliances from PC using Arduino board with the help of Serial Communication.

BeginnerProtip2 hours260

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Uno

Male to Female Jumper Cable

4 Channel Relay

LED Light Bulb, Frosted GLS

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

IoT Control Tower

Story

Being able to control lights, fans, and other appliances from the comfort of your PC is not only convenient but also can contribute to a more efficient use of energy. This guide will help you understand how to set up a system that allows you to control home appliances using an Arduino and serial communication.

IoTboys

Additionally, by mastering this skill, you'll have the ability to create custom lighting solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you want to enhance your home's ambiance, add flair to your workspace, or experiment with interactive art installations, knowing how to control home appliances with your Windows PC opens up a world of creative possibilities.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of controlling home appliances with Arduino, let's grasp the foundational concepts involved in this project.

Arduino: Arduino is an open-source hardware and software platform that facilitates the creation of interactive and programmable electronic systems. It features a microcontroller that can be programmed to execute various tasks based on inputs and commands.

Serial Communication: Serial communication is a method for transferring data between two devices in a sequential manner, one bit at a time. It's a common way for microcontrollers like Arduino to communicate with computers, sensors, and other hardware.

Home Automation: Home automation refers to the ability to control and automate household appliances and systems remotely or through programmed schedules. With Arduino, you can create your own custom home automation solutions.

Controlling Home Appliances From PC

The idea behind controlling the home appliances from a Windows PC is serial communication, Serial communication is a fundamental concept in electronics and programming, and it plays a key role in controlling the LED from a Windows PC using an Arduino.

The Basics of Serial Communication: Serial communication is a method used to transfer data between two devices or systems one bit at a time, over a single wire or a pair of wires. It's a common way to establish a data link between microcontrollers like Arduino and computers or other devices. In the case of Arduino and a Windows PC, this communication happens over a USB cable.

How Serial Communication Controls Home Appliances:

Arduino Code: You write an Arduino sketch (program) that listens for incoming serial data from the PC. You define specific commands that the Arduino should recognize, such as "1" to turn the Bulb on and "0" to turn it off.
PC Interaction: Using the IoT Control Tower Windows app (free & open source) you can configure and send commands to the Arduino board.

IoTControlTower App by IoTBoys

Arduino Response: When the Arduino receives a command via serial communication, it interprets the command and takes the corresponding action. For example, upon receiving "1, " it's digitalWrite as Low for the Relay and it turns on the Bulb, and upon receiving "0, " vice-versa.

Code

Arduino Sketch for Controlling Home Appliances from PC

String inputString;

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once: 5-0
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  for(int pin =0; pin< 14; pin++){
    pinMode(pin, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(pin, HIGH);
  }
 
}

void loop() {
  
 inputString = Serial.readString();
 Serial.println(inputString);

  if(inputString != ""){
  
  int delimiterPos = inputString.indexOf('-');

    if (delimiterPos != -1) {
    String pinString = inputString.substring(0, delimiterPos);  
    String stateString = inputString.substring(delimiterPos + 1);  
    
    int pinNumber = pinString.toInt(); 
    int command = stateString.toInt(); //0 = Off or 1 = ON

    if (command == 1) {
      digitalWrite(pinNumber, LOW);
    } else if (command == 0) {
      digitalWrite(pinNumber, HIGH);
    }  
  }  
  }

}

Credits

Rajiv Sharma

18 projects • 72 followers

Having more than 10 years of experience in IoT and software technology. Founded IoTBoys to share knowledge with IoT enthusiasts.

Contact

IoTBoys

9 projects • 115 followers

Watch, Learn and Built IoT projects | DIY IoT Projects | IoT Projects for College Student.

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RajivCodeLab

7 projects • 5 followers

Creates YT videos on DIY IoT Projects: Raspberry Pi Pico, Raspberry Pi Zero, Arduino, ESP32,

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How to Control Home Appliances from PC using Arduino