Temperature, Humidity and ON/OFF Relay
In addition to standard Watchman features (i.e. Temperature, Humidity), it provides an option to operate a relay. You can use relay to operate any (electric) appliance. Relay operation is a programmed operation - based on Temperature or Humidity values that you will configure on pp-Code portal.
Here is how it works:
- On the portal, you will select, between Temperature and Humidity, which data will be used as the trigger for relay operation. It will be either based on Temperature or Humidity data - not a combination of two.
- Once selected, you will define at what value (of the selected triggering data) relay will be energized (ON) and another value at which relay will be de-energized (OFF).
- These settings (trigger data and it's values for relay ON and OFF operation) will be retrieved, by Watchman, at next log message.
- As Watchman reads Temperature and Humidity data (every minute), it will apply them to (retrieved) relay operation settings and will operate the relay accordingly.
- Every time, relay status changes (ON <-> OFF), Watchman will send a log to the portal. This way you will have the current and historical information on relay operation. You can also chose to receive an alert (email/text) on relay status change (this feature is available with subscription, $1.99/month or $17.99/year).
Here is an example:
- Let's say you want operate a blower when temperature goes above 80F and stops it when temperature drops below 75F.
- You will select "Temperature" as the data for relay trigger.
- You will then select two temperature values: 80 for Relay ON and 75 for Relay OFF
- These values will be retrieved and stored on your Watchman.
- Watchman reads temperature (and humidity) every minute. As temperature reading hits/exceeds 80F, Watchman will energize (ON) the relay. It will automatically de-energize (OFF) the relay as Watchman reads temperature 75F or below.
- Every time, your Watchman operates the relay (hence your blower), you will receive a log message showing so (that you can access via the portal or via the App). You may also subscribe to receive alerts on it.
Works along with Standard features
All standard features apply. It offers relay operation along with Temperature and Humidity readings as well as corresponding email / SMS alerts.
How-To: Connecting Relay to your Electric Appliance
Regular Appliance
Regular Appliance
Regular Appliance
Watchman's relay is rated for 10A 250VAC/30VDC, that can operate many regular electric appliances such as bulbs, fans, lights, residential fridge/freezers, kettles, mini radiators and light motors/blowers etc.
Relay offers 3 connectors:
- NO (Normally Open)
- COM (Common)
- NC (Normally Closed)
Most common will be using combo of NO and COM (it will turn ON the appliance when relay is energized).
- Other combination (NC and COM) is rarely used and allows relay to turn OFF the appliance when relay is energized.
Connect the hot wire, to appliance, via the relay as following:
- Power supply side to connect to COM
- Appliance side to connect to NO
As relay is energized, it will complete the complete the circuit (i.e. connecting COM and NO) and turn ON the appliance. As relay is de-energized, circuit will break and turn OFF the appliance.
Relay is programmatically energized/de-energized based on the settings that you configured on the pp-code portal (as explained in the section above).
Heavy Appliance
Regular Appliance
Regular Appliance
Watchman relay can also be used to operate heavy electric appliance - with the help of an intermediate (High Amp) Relay.
If you plan to operate heavy appliances (such as heaters, air conditioners, industrial blowers etc) that draw more than 10A, you can't connect them directly to Watchman relay. Instead, you will use Watchman relay to operate an intermediate (High Amp) relay that connect to and operate your heavy appliance (as shown above).
There are many High Amp relay options available. Please make sure that:
- Relay output (Amperage/Voltage) meets needs of your heavy appliance
- Relay inputs are with in 10A 250VAC/30VDC
We have tested using a generally available relay at Amazon, however any similar relay would work.
Programmatic operation (of relay) and user settings follows the same process, that is:
- Connect the hot wire, to High Amp relay, via the Watchman Relay
- Use NO and COM connectors on Watchman Relay (COM to power supply and NO to High Amp relay side)
- Configure relay operation settings on pp-Code portal (as explained in the section above)