Hi,

I've been following the recent discussion about TRIACs, SCRs, Zero crossing
detection, etc.  Most of it went over my head but I did pick up a little.

My wife and I plan to build a house someday ( if I live long enough ) and I
plan to build the home automation system myself.  Mainly because I think it
will be the ultimate learning experience for me but also because most the
the HA products lack elegance or are just plain ugly ( at least to me ).


This is an on-going project in my mind that changes as I learn more.  Right
now, I plan to use a PC for the master controller connected to PIC nodes
via RS485. This recent discussion is relevant because I would like to be
able to control the lights, fans, etc. via a PIC node.

After following the thread, I set about searching for info on dimmer
circuits. MicroChip has an AN on a dimmer circuit but, from studying the
AN, I get the impression it's more for hobby projects and not something
that belongs in my wall. To make a long story short, I found many dimmer
circuits, some looked overly complicated or I couldn't figure out how to
interface to a uC. Others lacked protection from transients, etc.

So here I am, on the list again, asking the experts for advice.  My
family's safety is obviously important, as is product longevity.  I would
also like to be able to control inductive and resistive circuits with the
same design for simplicity and to allow me to just make one batch of PCBs.
 Lastly, product cost is not paramount.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not rich,
but given the choice between a $3 part to make the circuit simpler, more
robust, or safer, I'll take the $3 part.

Looking forward to a productive discussion,
Eric