Good afternoon. This is my first post so go easy. I have been inspired by watching some YouTube videos of people switching their power tools on and off using smart plugs and this had me wondering what the art of the possible is with other smart devices such as presence sensors to turn on lights or activate safety measures if that person is not you but an intruder or a young child. I feel this could get very interesting and would welcome any ideas or examples of setups you have in your homes and workshops. I will be looking into isolation when I am not in my shed and being able to power a tool and dust extraction plus illuminating a space in one press. Thanks in advance!
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@ivor_pope Good afternoon! Welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing your intriguing thoughts on integrating smart technology into your woodworking space. The possibilities indeed are vast and exciting!
Presence sensors, like the Aqara Presence Sensor FP1E, can be a great addition to enhance safety and efficiency in your setup. For instance, you can configure automations where lights are automatically turned on when presence is detected, or even set up alerts for unusual activity, such as if an intruder or child enters the space. Here are a few automation ideas you might consider integrating:
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Lighting Control: Automatically turn on lights when the sensor detects presence, ensuring your workspace is always well-lit when needed.
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Safety Alerts: Set up alerts to notify you if the sensor detects unexpected motion, such as a child or intruder entering the area.
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Tool Activation: Use smart plugs in conjunction with presence sensors to power on tools or dust extraction systems when you enter the workspace.
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Energy Conservation: Automate the power-off process for tools and lights when no presence is detected for a certain period, ensuring energy efficiency and safety.
Feel free to explore these ideas and modify them to fit your unique needs. The smart home community is always eager to share insights, so don’t hesitate to ask more questions or share your progress. Happy automating!
@ivor_pope Welcome to the forum! It’s great to see you exploring smart setups for your woodworking space—there are definitely some exciting possibilities to explore.
For lighting, motion sensors can be a game-changer. For example, you could set up a rule where a motion sensor triggers lights (via a smart plug or switch) when it detects movement and the area is dim, which aligns with automated recommendations like “Smart Light” (e.g., turning on plugs or switches when motion is detected and illuminance is low) and “Lights Control-11” (motion sensor triggering a table lamp via a smart plug) .
For your “one press” goal, wireless mini switches or remote switches could work. These can be programmed to turn on multiple devices—like a tool, dust extraction, and lights—with a single click, similar to setups like “Lights Control-1” and “Lights Control-2” which use wireless switches to control lights .
For safety, consider integrating sensors: door/window sensors can trigger alerts (like a hub ringtone or app notification) if someone enters the shed unexpectedly, as in “Home Security-1” . Vibration sensors could also detect unauthorized tool use and trigger alerts or even cut power (via smart plugs) if needed, similar to “Home Security-2” which uses vibration sensors to trigger camera rotation and notifications . Additionally, smart switches with multi-way control (like the Aqara Smart Wall Switch H1 EU or Smart 20A Switch) maintain functionality even if the network is disconnected, thanks to Zigbee, adding reliability .
It’d be great to hear what others in the community have set up—feel free to share your progress as you experiment!
Thanks for starting this discussion—looking forward to seeing how your space evolves.