Boiler Automation

Mr. Joseph want to automatize electric boiler activation depending by his solar panels electric power production. We assume the boiler consumes about 40% of solar panel electric production and the boiler is programmed to stop working when water temperature reaches 48°C

For this use-case we use timer, weather sensor, photocell sensor and switch actuator:

  • the timer is used to set custom work intervals;

  • the weather sensor measures the air temperature of the geolocalized position of Mr. Joseph house;

  • the photocell sensor is connected to solar panels and measures the percentage of power production.;

  • the switch actuator is responsable to turn the boiler on or off.

The following rules have been proposed for this scenario to create a custom automatization process based on Mr. Joseph family habits and requirements:

  • RULE 1: "IF photocell.measure > 40% THEN switch IS on ELSE off "

  • RULE 2: "IF weather.temperature < 18°C AND timer.time BETWEEN 6:00 TO 23.00 AND timer.day is L,M,M,G,V THEN switch IS on ELSE off "

  • RULE 3: "IF weather.temperature < 18°C AND timer.time BETWEEN 8:00 TO 24.00 AND timer.day is S,D THEN switch IS on ELSE off "

  • RULE 4: "IF weather.temperature < -1°C THEN switch IS on FOR 30 min AND switch IS off FOR 120 min"

Even if one rule is verified then the switch actuator is ON otherwise is OFF.
The first rule manage the situation in which solar panel production can satisfy boiler power requirements. Second and third rules are customized for the scenarios in which there is not enough solar panel energy production but the boiler has to be turned ON according to Joseph family habits and requiremets during the week and the weekend. The fourth rule is used to manage the scenario in which there is the danger of ice forming in pipes and a timer is setted on switch duty cicle.