Home Automation using NodeMCU | NodeMCU Applications | DesignSpark

In this tutorial, "HOME AUTOMATION USING BLYNK" we discuss how the project is built including the output. Now in the first part of this tutorial let us discuss Node MCU esp8266 Relay control using the Blynk app. This Blynk app can be used for many applications like home automation and many more. In this project, we can control home appliances using the Blynk app which will be very helpful in IoT home automation projects. With the topic name ‘Home Automation Using Blynk', many questions come into your mind immediately.

• How to get to know about Node MCU Board?
• How does the Blynk app work?
• What are the materials required?
• How to set up the blynk with a Microcontroller?

Now, all the above questions are discussed in this tutorial and by following the steps explained further, the project can be implemented accordingly. Before that, you need to have a clear idea: What is Home Automation?

• Simply, the Home Automation system is automating the bulk of different tasks like electronic and electrical tasks at home. It uses both hardware and software systems to enable controlling and managing devices and appliances at home.
• This system not only refers to reduce human effort but also helps in time-saving and also energy efficiency.
• In this project, we are providing home automation using Node MCU- (ESP8266- Wi-Fi SoC) and the Blynk app.

Step 1: Get to know about Node MCU ESP8266 Development Board:

NodeMcu8266 is a low-cost development board that is built into the ESP8266 WiFi module and it is an open-source IoT platform. The programming of the NodeMcu is done by using ARDUINO IDE and it is similar to the Arduino programming. But the IDE does not come with pre-installed ESP supported board on it. So we need to add the board attachments to the ARDUINO IDE before running the program.

The above fig is the model of Node MCU ESP8266

FEATURES:

• It is open-source.
• Simple to use, easily programmable and interactive
• It is very smart with wi-fi enabled.

Step 2: Blynk App-How it works:

It is an open-source platform with iOS and Android apps to control microcontrollers like ARDUINO and it is used for all wifi enabled or supported microcontrollers.

This app was designed for the Internet of Things. It makes complex IoT technology simple. It can display sensor data, store data and visualize it and do many operations easily and simply. It's a digital dashboard and you can build an interface for the projects in an easy way.

There are three major components in this open platform:

1. Blynk App
2. Blynk Server
3. Blynk Libraries

• Blynk app help in creating amazing interfaces for the projects using various widgets.
• Blynk server plays a role in all communications between the mobile and hardware. Its open-source could easily handle many devices and you can use blynk cloud or run a private blynk server confidentially.
• Blynk Libraries is very much responsible for the hardware platform. It helps in processing all the incoming and outgoing commands.

So, the above components help in working with the Blynk app and the main features are: Easy to use, Not restricted to a local wifi network, Easy to integrate, etc.

Step 3: Materials Required for Home Automation are:

The main materials required for Home Automation are:

1. Node MCU Esp8266 Development Board
2. Smart Phone with Blynk App Installed
3. Relay
4. Bulbs
5. Fan speed controller
6. Bread Board

Step 4: Programming setup of Blynk with ARDUINO IDE:

The Blynk app has a set of library files that have to be included in Arduino IDE for the programming so that our project code gets executed.

To complete the programming part the following steps are to be followed:

• Follow the link below and install the libraries.
• Once the file is downloaded, copy the folder to your libraries of the ARDUINO.
• When the file gets downloaded and individually copied to the library folder of the ARDUINO, go to Sketch-Include libraries and you can see blynk in the menu.

• After you find the blynk in the libraries the next step is to include the board configuration in the ARDUINO IDE.
• As shown in the above picture, you need to go to Tools-Board Menu and you can find a list of boards with different configuration settings. You should include Node Mcu’s board configurations which contain board architecture, clock speed, etc.
• Now, In the ARDUINO IDE select the File-Preferences.
• Copy the above link and paste it in the Additional Board Manager Url text box as shown below.
• After selecting the ok button, restart the ARDUINO IDE.
• The last step is to go to the Tools-Boards and select the Node MCU board and by this, the programming setup was successfully done.

That's it for today. In the next post, we will have a look at How to set up the Blynk App and then upload these sensors' data over to some network. Thanks for reading. Have a good day. :)