A Microcontroller Framework for PC Based Electrical Appliance Control System

Abstract

Personal computers are increasingly becoming the platform of choice to design and implement control algorithms because it is simple to write, modify and update software programs that implement control algorithms.

In this paper, the personal computer is used to control the electrical appliances which includes turning high power alternating current (AC) loads such as lights, fans, heaters etc ON or OFF. To successfully integrate the interface box with the machine (laptop), an interface device is used within the PC that can perform the necessary tasks. The interface box can be controlled by the computer by connecting to the USB port and developed a program in C-sharp(C#) programming language. The program will demonstrate the basic idea of how to control devices and monitor events. With the program, the computer can turn electric devices ON/OFF while disregarding the manual control system. Moreover, the people who are physically disabled in homes and work places are able to control the home appliances by interacting with the interface of the developed appliance. It is a necessity to employ the service of Home Appliances Control as it is more effective, efficient and stress-free.

Keywords: Personal Computers, Home Control Appliance, Distribution Fuse Board (DFB), Graphical User Interface (GUI), Interface Box, Internal Module, Enumeration, Local Area Network (LAN).