Home Automation Project with Bolt IoT

Vinayak Shantaram JoshiJan 18, 2019

Overview

Had a busy day at work today? Exhausted, right? We know how it feels coming back home after such a long tiring day from work. Imagine being able to control the lights, fan or AC at just the tip of your fingers -- click a button and things just work. This project demonstrates how to control a light bulb via cloud-based buttons using the Bolt IoT platform and a relay module.

Hardware Components

Component	Quantity
Bolt WiFi Module	1
Relay Module (Generic)	1
Jumper Wires (Generic)	As needed
Bulb	1
Bulb Holder	1
Mobile Charger	1
2-Pin Socket	1
Screwdriver	1
Wire Stripper	1

Software Requirements

Bolt Cloud

Hardware Setup

Step 1: Gathering Components

Collect all the required items before beginning assembly.

Step 2: Assembling the Hardware

Connect the 5V supply pin and GND of the Bolt to the 5V and GND pins of the relay module.
Connect any one of the digital pins (0-4) of the Bolt to the IN/REL pin of the relay module.
Connect a wire from the bulb holder to the COM pin of the relay module.
Connect a wire from the NO pin of the relay module to the 2-pin socket.
Connect the remaining terminal of the bulb holder to the other terminal of the 2-pin socket.

Important: Check all the connections carefully before proceeding.

Warning: Playing with high voltages is dangerous, so be careful.

Step 3: Connecting Bolt to Cloud

Create an account on cloud.boltiot.com and link your Bolt device following the provided instructions.

Software Setup

Step 1: Uploading Code

Visit cloud.boltiot.com and login
Click the "Product" tab and create a product
Configure the product
Upload the following code with a .js extension:

singleButton({name:"On", action:"digitalWrite",
pin:"0", value:"HIGH",bgcolor:"green",
shape:"rectangle",align:"left","text_color":"white" })

singleButton({name:"Off", action:"digitalWrite",
pin:"0", value:"LOW", bgcolor:"red",
shape:"rectangle", align:"left", text_color:"black"})

Note: Make sure the correct digital pin is used in the code. Save the configuration before proceeding.

Link the Bolt to the product
Click "View this device"
Use the On/Off buttons to control the lamp

Step 2: Testing

Power up the Bolt device and verify cloud connection
Connect the bulb holder to AC power supply using the 2-pin socket
Login to cloud.boltiot.com
Navigate to the product and click "View the action" button
Control the bulb using the ON/OFF buttons over the internet

Conclusion

The system uses a simple API (Application Program Interface) call that turns the state of the digital pin to HIGH or LOW. The relay switches based on the pin state. When the relay is in the OFF state, it breaks the circuit between the bulb and the power supply, causing the bulb to turn off. When the relay is in the ON state, it completes the circuit connection, turning the bulb on. This project can be extended to control multiple appliances by adding more relay channels and buttons.