Automatic remote GSM heating control system: diagrams and examples

Recommendation points

• The principle of operation of the GSM system
• Basic elements of a GSM heating control system
• Tips for installing and connecting a GSM system to the boiler
• Market offer overview

Those homeowners who want to use a country house in the off-season and in winter, and periodically, are thinking about a remote GSM heating control system. The article provides connection diagrams and installation tips, prices for some devices on the Russian market.

Remote automatic control of the heating system of a country house can be part of the general automation of engineering systems, security, fire safety, known as “Smart Home”, or work independently, providing a predetermined level of comfort for the arrival of the owners. The use of GSM modules allows you to start and control automatic processes using a mobile application installed on a cell phone.

The principle of operation of the GSM system

If you use the house from time to time, then the heating can work in the following modes:

• manual control – arrived, turned on, waited for the house to warm up, turned off, left – low comfort level, risk of pipelines freezing;
• automatic maintenance of “idle” or “working” temperature conditions – high heating costs, risk of fire;
• switching on and maintaining the temperature regime from a remote source – in case of arrival or in an emergency (fire, freezing of pipelines) – a high level of comfort and safety, low energy costs.

The latter option seems to be the most optimal, although it requires preliminary adaptation of the heating system (including the boiler) and the acquisition, in fact, of the module itself.

The principle of operation of the system consists of an external influence on the GSM device, which gives commands to turn on the heating system in a given mode. The boiler turns on, the operation of the climatic and system sensors starts, transmitting information to the controllers, which analyze it and issue commands to the actuators:

• opening, closing, regulation of pipeline fittings;
• increase, decrease in power or shutdown of the boiler;
• blocking out of order elements.

Schematic diagram of GSM control

In turn, the system transmits data to the GSM-module, which sends messages in the form of SMS to the command device (mobile phone, tablet, etc.): information about the room temperature, about the temperature of the coolant, about emergency situations. Moreover, receiving messages depends on the capabilities of the module and the specified settings..

Basic elements of a GSM heating control system

All GSM systems from different manufacturers operate using the same elements, differing only in the capabilities of the controller and the composition of the basic set. The standard set may include:

• controller (GSM-module) – for a different number of inputs, expandable;
• remote temperature sensors (two or more, including an external one);
• leakage sensor (not available on all models);
• master key (not in all models);
• panel – electronic key reader (not in all models);
• GSM antenna for signal amplification;
• network adapter – to connect to the network;
• battery (for different battery life and not in all models);
• pads for connecting to the boiler (not in all models);
• coils of connecting wires.

Heating control system set “XITAL GSM-4T”

Advice! A full-size SIM card that fits into a controller usually needs to be purchased separately. When buying a card, choose a telecom operator based on the quality of the signal in the area where the house is located. Connect a ban on paid content (ads, polls) that clogs up the information space and confuses the controller. Put a certain amount on the card for guaranteed activation and call from the phone that you will be controlling the system to the SIM number. Connection established.

When buying a separate GSM-module with the possibility of mounting on a DIN-rail, the rest of the devices can be selected independently, guided by the electrical and electronic compatibility of the elements. With some experience in creating automated systems, you can assemble a system based on a suitable controller, for example, the domestic “OWEN”.

Controller “OWEN” on a DIN rail

Tips for installing and connecting a GSM system to the boiler

When buying a set of GSM heating control system, you can order its installation for an additional fee or perform the installation yourself, using, first of all, the instructions for a specific set of equipment with a decoding of the purpose of the connection jacks, and secondly, the general rules.

Assembling and checking system operation:

1. The connecting wire is connected to the controller through the telephone jack.
2. On the other side, the wires connect the panel that reads the key (if there is one and if you intend to use it) and then through the wire system with terminals – sensors (temperature, leaks).
3. Through the appropriate sockets, the controller is connected to the network and to the battery (if it is not in the set, it is better to buy and connect it as an emergency power supply to the controller in case of a power outage).
4. The antenna is connected to the controller through a special connector.
5. Insert a SIM card and, after giving a few minutes for recognition, activate the controller-phone connection by calling the card number.
6. Check the system operation even before installation at the installation sites. If everything is in order, proceed with the installation.

GSM module device: 1 – LAN contact; 2 – slots for SIM cards; 3 – security and fire panel; 4 – power supply unit; 5 – battery

System installation:

1. Before installation, disconnect all wires and devices from the controller that were assembled for the above-described system operability check.
2. The controller is installed in a pre-selected location.
3. Next, you need to ensure the connection to the boiler control system controller. I connect two wires (or one paired) to the controller relay with normally open contacts and stretch them to a power plug, a connection block or a jumper made in the form of a loop of insulated wire fixed with two screws, specially designed for such switching. Before starting work, make sure that the device is disconnected from energy sources.

Connection to the boiler thermostat of the XITAL GSM controller

4. When routing wires, a shorter length is often required than that given in the kit. This means that you can leave an unnecessary bay, or you have to shorten the wire. It is best to shorten it and equip it with a terminal (crimp) with special pliers for telephone wires, otherwise it will be difficult to do this without quality assurance. Terminals installed on opposite ends of a short wire must be installed relative to each other with a turn of 180 °.
5. When routing wires to the place of installation of temperature sensors, use ties and fix them on the walls openly or under the cover of decorative boxes. Temperature sensors, depending on the purpose, are mounted on the street (outdoor), in living rooms (room temperature), on the coolant supply pipe from the boiler (to control its operation).
6. Additional relays that are not used to control the boiler can be used for a water heater, a backup boiler circuit or an auxiliary heat generator, a “warm floor” or anti-vandal sound alarm – at will.

Heating control GSM circuit: 1 – GSM control terminal; 2 – boiler; 3 – UPS; 4 – room temperature sensor; 5 – electric water heater; 6 – contactor; 7 – emergency thermal sensor; 8 – fire-prevention thermal sensor; 9 – leakage sensor; 10 – temperature sensor

Tips:

1. It is advisable to connect the equipment to the network through an RCD, which protects it from voltage surges.
2. It is advisable to take care of an emergency power source.
3. The controller must be placed in a heated room with normal humidity, in an accessible place.
4. Update your software periodically.
5. Organize duplicate SMS notifications to multiple phones.
6. Ask how the self-installation works on the warranty.

Market offer overview

The market offers GSM systems for heating control of domestic and foreign manufacturers. Some are suitable for most modern boilers with external control, others are designed for a specific type of heating equipment. The number of connected circuits varies from 1 to 12.

They also differ in prices. The cost of some controllers and sets of GSM systems (without installation) for September 2016 is shown in the table.

Equipment	Manufacturer	Price, rub.
BM8039D controller – DIN rail control device	“Master Kit”, Russia	3 320
Control and protection set “Guardian BM8039D” based on the BM8039D controller	“Master Kit”, Russia	8,020
XITAL GSM-4T set	Xital, Russia	8 640
XITAL GSM-8T set	Xital, Russia	8 940
XITAL GSM-12T set	Xital, Russia	9,090
GSM-module for boiler (module, adapter, 2 sensors)	Telemetrika, Russia	7,900
GSM socket T4 (socket with built-in module)	Telemetrika, Russia	6,000
Teplocom GSM module for boilers	“Bastion”, Russia	from 5 850
EctoControl “Heating”	Ektostroy, Russia	11,030
GSM module Sapsan GSM Pro 6	“Sapsan”, Russia	16,500
GSM-module Sapsan Termo-Box	“Sapsan”, Russia	10,000
GSM-module “Warm House” with temperature sensor and relay, wall	“Sapsan”, Russia	9,900
GSM module for DIN rail	“Sapsan”, Russia	12,000
GSM controller CCU422	RADS Electronics, Russia	5,900
GSM controller CCU825	RADS Electronics, Russia	7 400
Vitocom 100 (only for Viessmann boilers)	Viessmann, Germany	26,000 – 30,000
Logamatic PRO GSM (only for Buderus boilers)	Buderus, Germany	–
GALAN GSM	“GALAN”, Russia	8 600

If you want to independently assemble a GSM control system, you need to decide on the number of monitored zones and heat-generating devices (heating, hot water, additional circuits), choose wired or wireless thermostats, a controller, buy appropriate wires with connectors, provide a shield for installing the necessary elements. To control one electric convector in a small house, one GSM socket may be enough.

GSM socket